One of my friends, Swati, had no idea about a physiotherapist. One day, she hurt her back during a workout and had to visit a physiotherapist. At first, she wasn’t sure how it would help, but soon her pain started going away, and she could move better.
This made Swati think, “Why not become someone who helps others like this?” And that’s how she developed an interest in physiotherapy. But she has no idea where to start. If you are also someone like her, then this blog “How to Become a Physiotherapist After 12th” is crafted for you.
In this blog, we’ll explain who a physiotherapist is, the different types of physiotherapists, and what you need to study. We’ll also talk about the skills you’ll need, the roles and responsibilities of a physiotherapist, and the job opportunities in India.
Who Is A Physiotherapist?
A physiotherapist, or a physical therapist, is a healthcare professional who helps people recover from physical injuries, pain, or disabilities through exercises, manual therapy, and movement techniques. Unlike doctors who often prescribe medicines or surgeries, physiotherapists focus on physical rehabilitation.
Let’s say someone has back pain, a sports injury, or trouble moving after an accident—this is where a physiotherapist steps in. They assess the patient’s condition and then create a personalized treatment plan to improve mobility, reduce pain, and restore normal function.
Types Of Physiotherapists
- Orthopaedic Physiotherapist: These physiotherapists treat problems related to bones, joints, muscles, and ligaments. If someone has a broken bone, back pain, joint pain, or a sports injury, they usually go to an orthopaedic physiotherapist. They help people move better and get relief from pain.
- Neurological Physiotherapist: They work with people who have problems related to the brain, spinal cord, or nerves. For example, someone who has had a stroke or has diseases like Parkinson’s or multiple sclerosis. These physiotherapists help improve movement, balance, and coordination.
- Pediatric Physiotherapist: These physiotherapists work with children who have physical problems due to birth conditions or development delays. They use exercises and play-based methods to help children move better and grow stronger.
- Geriatric Physiotherapist: They help older people who face issues like joint pain, weak muscles, or difficulty in walking. Their job is to make elderly patients more comfortable and independent by improving their strength and mobility.
- Cardiopulmonary Physiotherapist: These physiotherapists treat patients who have heart or lung problems. For example, after a heart surgery or in conditions like asthma or chronic cough. They help people breathe better and increase their stamina.
- Sports Physiotherapist: Sports physiotherapists work with athletes or anyone who plays sports. They help treat sports injuries and also teach ways to avoid getting hurt in the future. Many of them work with sports teams or in fitness centres.
How To Become A Physiotherapist After 12th?
- Complete Your 10+2
The first step is to complete your 12th grade (10+2) with Biology as one of your main subjects. This is essential because physiotherapy is a medical field, and knowledge of biology will help you understand the human body better.
- Earn a Bachelor’s Degree in Physiotherapy (BPT)
After completing your 12th, the next step is to enrol in a Bachelor of Physiotherapy (BPT) program. This course usually takes about 4.5 years to complete and includes both theory and practical training. You will learn about human anatomy, physiology, exercise therapy, and various treatment techniques to help people recover from injuries and illnesses.
- Pursue a Master’s Degree in Physiotherapy (Optional)
While a Bachelor’s degree is sufficient to start working as a physiotherapist, you can choose to pursue a Master’s Degree in Physiotherapy (MPT) if you want to specialize in a specific area, such as sports physiotherapy, neurological physiotherapy, or paediatric physiotherapy. A Master’s degree typically takes 2 years and can enhance your career prospects and earning potential.
- Gain Practical Experience
While studying, you’ll have to do an internship as part of your BPT course. This practical training usually lasts for 6 months and helps you gain hands-on experience with real patients under the supervision of experienced physiotherapists. You can also gain additional experience by working part-time or volunteering in clinics, hospitals, or rehabilitation centres.
- Obtain a License
In India, physiotherapists are required to obtain a license before they can start practicing professionally. You can get licensed after completing your BPT and internship. This process may involve registering with the Indian Association of Physiotherapists (IAP) or other local bodies.
- Create Your Resume and Apply for Jobs
Once you’ve completed your education, gained experience, and obtained your license, it’s time to start looking for a job. Create a professional resume highlighting your qualifications, internship experience, and any specialized skills you’ve learned. Apply for jobs in hospitals, clinics, sports centres, or even consider starting your own practice.
What Are The Roles And Responsibilities Of A Physiotherapist
- Assessing and Diagnosing Patients: A physiotherapist’s first job is to assess the patient. This means understanding the patient’s medical history, doing physical tests, and figuring out what is causing their pain or difficulty in moving. Based on this assessment, they diagnose the problem and create a treatment plan.
- Creating Treatment Plans: Once the problem is identified, physiotherapists create a treatment plan for the patient. This plan usually includes exercises, stretches, and therapies like heat or cold treatment, massage, or electrical treatments. The goal is to help the patient move better and reduce pain.
- Guiding Patients with Exercises: A big part of the job is helping patients do exercises to recover. Physiotherapists guide them through the exercises, ensuring they are doing them correctly. They also help with everyday tasks by teaching patients the right way to move, sit, and stand to prevent further injury.
- Helping Relieve Pain: Physiotherapists use various methods to reduce pain, like massage, heat therapy, or cold packs. They aim to help patients feel less pain and improve their ability to do everyday activities.
- Preventing Injuries: Physiotherapists also teach patients how to avoid injuries in the future. They show people how to lift objects safely, how to sit or stand properly, and other tips to prevent strains and sprains.
- Helping After Surgery or Injury: If someone has had surgery or a major injury, physiotherapists help them recover. They guide patients through exercises and techniques to rebuild strength, flexibility, and movement, so they can return to their normal activities safely.
- Keeping Records and Tracking Progress: Physiotherapists keep notes on each patient’s treatment and progress. They regularly check how the patient is improving and make changes to the treatment plan if needed.
- Working with Other Doctors: Physiotherapists often work with other doctors, nurses, and healthcare providers. They collaborate to make sure the patient gets the best possible care and treatment.
Skills Required To Become A Physiotherapist
- Strong Communication Skills
As a physiotherapist, you’ll work closely with people, and being able to clearly explain treatments and listen to patients is very important. You’ll need to communicate well with your patients to understand their problems and explain what they need to do for recovery.
- Problem-Solving Ability
Each patient is different, so you need to figure out the best treatment plan for them. Sometimes patients might not show immediate improvement, and you’ll need to adjust the treatment. Problem-solving skills help you create the right solutions for each person.
- Physical Strength and Stamina
Physiotherapy can involve lifting, stretching, and helping patients with exercises. So, having good physical strength and stamina is important for performing physical tasks and supporting patients during therapy sessions.
- Empathy and Patience
Patients may be in pain or frustrated by their injuries, and as a physiotherapist, you need to show patience and empathy. Being understanding and kind helps build trust with patients, making them more likely to follow their treatment plans.
- Attention to Detail
Physiotherapists need to carefully assess their patients’ movements, postures, and body mechanics. Small details matter a lot in designing treatment plans. A good physiotherapist will notice these details to offer the best care.
- Knowledge of Anatomy and Physiology
Understanding how the human body works is key to physiotherapy. A physiotherapist must know the muscles, bones, joints, and how they work together, so they can design effective treatments.
- Time Management
Working with multiple patients and managing your schedule effectively is crucial. You need to make sure each patient gets the right amount of time for their treatment while also managing your appointments and tasks for the day.
What are the Job Opportunities for Physiotherapists in India?
- Hospitals and Clinics
Most physiotherapists work in hospitals and clinics. They help patients recover after surgeries, injuries, or treat chronic conditions like back pain and arthritis. You can find jobs in both private hospitals (like Apollo, Fortis) and government hospitals (like AIIMS, Safdarjung). Many private clinics also hire physiotherapists to treat patients.
- Sports Teams and Fitness Centres
If you love sports, you can work with sports teams or in fitness centres. Here, you’ll help athletes recover from injuries, prevent new ones, and help them perform better. Sports physiotherapists work with local sports teams, national teams, or even in gyms and sports academies.
- Rehabilitation Centres
Physiotherapists also work in rehabilitation centres, which are places where people recover after serious injuries or surgeries. You’ll help patients regain strength and movement. These centres can be private or government-run.
- Private Practice
Many physiotherapists open their own clinics. This way, you can work for yourself, set your own hours, and treat your own patients. You can also visit patients at home if they can’t come to your clinic.
- Home Care Services
Some physiotherapists work in home care services, where they visit patients at home to provide treatment. This is especially helpful for elderly people or those who have trouble traveling. You can work for a company offering this service, or you can start your own home care business.
- Research and Education
If you enjoy teaching, you can work as a teacher or professor at universities that offer physiotherapy courses. You can also work in research, helping to improve physiotherapy treatments and techniques.
- Government Health Services
There are also jobs in government health services, including public hospitals, health camps, and rural health programs. The government hires physiotherapists to provide healthcare services to people in remote or underserved areas.
- Corporate Sector
Larger companies are hiring physiotherapists to create wellness programs for their employees. These programs help people stay healthy, prevent injuries, and reduce stress. You may find work in big companies or multinational firms that focus on their employees’ well-being.
Salary Of A Physiotherapist In India
According to Glassdoor, the salary of a physiotherapist in India ranges from INR 18,000 to INR 30,000 per month. This can change depending on where you work, the type of employer (like a private hospital, government hospital, or a clinic), and the city you are based in. For example, big cities like Delhi, Mumbai, and Bengaluru may offer higher salaries compared to smaller cities or towns. Private hospitals and high-end clinics often pay more than government hospitals or smaller clinics.
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Conclusion
Becoming a physiotherapist after 12th is a great choice if you want to help people recover from injuries, manage pain, and live healthier lives. With the right education and practical experience, you can have a successful career in physiotherapy.
First, you’ll need to complete a Bachelor’s degree in Physiotherapy (BPT). After that, you can do an internship to gain hands-on experience. If you want to specialize in a certain area, you can pursue a Master’s degree (MPT). Specializing can give you more job opportunities and a better salary.
The demand for physiotherapists is growing in India, and you can find jobs in hospitals, clinics, sports centres, or even start your practice.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: Do I need to study Biology in Class 12 to become a physiotherapist?
Ans:Yes, you need to have Biology in your 12th grade to become a physiotherapist.
Q2: How long does it take to become a physiotherapist in India?
Ans:It takes about 4.5 years to complete a BPT (Bachelor of Physiotherapy) degree. If you choose to study further, a Master’s in Physiotherapy (MPT) will take 2 more years.
Q3: Can I become a physiotherapist if I didn’t study science in the 12th?
Ans:No, you must have studied Biology in the 12th to become a physiotherapist.
Q4: What is the salary of a physiotherapist in India?
Ans:A physiotherapist can earn around INR 18,000 to INR 30,000 per month when starting. With experience, the salary can increase.
Q5: Can I work as a physiotherapist abroad?
Ans:Yes, you can work in other countries, but you may need to get a license or meet specific requirements in those countries.