Physiotherapy Courses in India

Physiotherapy Courses in India have acquired a better acceptance of late. Medical students who, otherwise went for more conventional streams in medicine now do opt for this course. Physiotherapy also known as Physical therapy is a health care profession that provides treatment to individuals to develop, maintain and restore maximum movement and function in the body, throughout life. This includes providing treatment in circumstances where movement and function are threatened by ageing, injury, disease or environmental factors. It is the most important rehabilitative service needed in a community and a vital therapeutic supplement of the medical profession, integral to the treatment of most patients. Physical Therapists are professionals involved in the field of Physiotherapy. Physical Therapists utilize an individual's history and physical examination in diagnosis and treatment, and if necessary, will incorporate the results of laboratory and imaging studies. Electro diagnostic testing (e.g. electromyograms i.e. EMG and nerve conduction velocity testing) may also be of assistance. PTs practice in many settings, such as outpatient clinics or offices, inpatient rehabilitation facilities, extended care facilities, homes, education or research centres, schools, hospices, industrial workplaces or other occupational environments.

Some of its specialized fields are -

• Cardiopulmonary - It treats a wide variety of individuals suffering with disorders, including heart attacks, post coronary bypass surgery, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and pulmonary fibrosis etc.
• Geriatric - It's area of expertise is arthritis, osteoporosis, cancer, Alzheimer's disease, hip and joint replacement, balance disorders, incontinence, etc.
• Orthopaedic - It deals with rehabilitation of patients after orthopaedic surgery from conditions like fractures, acute sports injuries, arthritis, sprains, strains, back and neck pain, spinal conditions and amputations.
• Neurological - It treats those suffering from neurological disorder like Alzheimer's disease, Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease (CMT), ALS, brain injury, cerebral palsy, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's disease, spinal cord injury, and stroke etc.
• Paediatric - It treats disorders of the paediatric population related to congenital, developmental, neuromuscular, skeletal, or acquired disorders/diseases.
• Integumentary - It deals with conditions involving the skin and related organs. Common conditions managed include wounds and burns. Physical therapists utilize surgical instruments, mechanical lavage, dressings and topical agents to debride necrotic tissue and promote tissue healing. Other commonly used interventions include exercise, oedema control, splinting, and compression garments.

Content

The study of this field includes all or few of these –

1. Anatomy.
2. Orientation to Physiotherapy.
3. Integrated Seminars / PBL Sessions.
4. Exercise Therapy.
5. Electrotherapy.
6. Orthopaedics & Traumatology.
7. Ethics, Administration & Supervision.

Objectives

• To promote a healthy life style throughout life.
• To put whole hearted effort in treating even those patients for whom there seems to be no hope.
• To raise the existing high standards of treatment to even a higher level from which no patient goes disappointed.

Basic Requirements

Academic Requirements

The basic eligibility for courses in physiotherapy is 10+2 passed or equivalent examination with physics, chemistry, biology and English. At least 50% of marks should be secured in each of these subjects.
To become a practising physiotherapist or be employed as a professional in a hospital or clinic, one should have a B.Sc. degree.
Age limit for the candidates is 17 years. The admission to institutes is through entrance examination. There is a Common Entrance Test (CET) for the course in Bachelor of Physiotherapy (BPT). 
Admission is based mainly on CET scores. There are, both degree level and short-term courses available in physiotherapy but all of them may not be recognised by the government.
Degree level courses in physiotherapy generally range from 3 to 4 years. For a Degree Level course, the last six months involves an internship period at a hospital.

Personal Attributes - To be a good physiotherapist, one needs an above average analytical and logical reasoning skill, scientific reasoning and problem solving skill, ability to memorize and recall scientific facts, manual dexterity and physical stamina to work long hours, patience and understanding of people, a sympathetic approach towards the patients, a keen desire to help people live their normal lives, must be level headed to deal with emergencies in work conditions, strength of mind and purpose, team spirit, good observation power, ability to instil confidence and courage in patients. These attributes together with a thorough knowledge of the human anatomy are the makings of a successful physiotherapist.

Physiotherapy Colleges in India

1. All India Institute of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Mumbai (Maharashtra).
2. Amar Jyoti Institute of Physiotherapy, New Delhi (Delhi).
3. Ayushman College.
4. Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar.

Click on the link for - List of BPT Colleges in India

Job Perspectives

The increasingly sedentary urban lifestyles and lack of exercise brings on a whole gamut or body aches and pains, which requires the assistance of specialized physiotherapists. The growing awareness of the role physiotherapy can play in enabling the physically handicapped to lead productive lives has also increased the demand for trained professionals. The demand for Physiotherapists in medical institutions is increasing since physiotherapy plays an important role in the treatment of patients with muscular and cerebral problems. Sports injuries have been increasing day by day in sports loving country like India, so Sports Physiotherapists are in great demand. They apply some special techniques like sports taping, stretching to prevent and to correct these injuries. They can be employed in the rehabilitation departments, municipal corporations and private bodies. The demand for physiotherapists in the country as well as abroad is immense. They are in great demand in USA, Canada and Australia.

Remuneration - The initial remuneration of physiotherapists in government hospitals varies between Rs. 3000 to 5000. But the private hospitals offer a relatively better package. Most well-run private hospitals offer a starting salary around Rs 7,500 which could go up to Rs 10,000 per month. The remuneration for established private practitioners can be almost Rs 20,000 to 40,000 per month. Some hospitals also pay the physiotherapists according to the number of patients he/she sees. Most physiotherapists, after gaining an experience of around five years, could start their own practices, in which case, they charge according to the number of hours given to individual patients, usually around Rs. 250 to 400 per sitting. 

Some Job Types

• Assistant Physiotherapist.
• Lecturer.
• Researcher.
• Research Assistant.
• Therapy Manager.
• Self Employed Private Physiotherapist.
• Sports Physio Rehabilitator.
• Customer Care Assistant.
• Osteopath.

Some Employment Areas

1. Hospitals.
2. Orthopaedic Departments.
3. Rehabilitation Centres for the Handicapped.
4. Schools for the Mentally Retarded and Physically Disabled Children.
5. Health Institutions.
6. Defence Medical Establishments.
7. Private Clinics.
8. Physiotherapy Equipment Manufacturers.
9. Educational Institutions.
10. Fitness Centres.
11. Sports Training Facilities.