Jagpreet
12 June, 2024
Table of Contents
Have your grandparents ever narrated the story of how they went to school? They reminisce about walking miles through fields and forests, sometimes barefoot, just to reach their one-room schoolhouses. While they may be exaggerating a bit, the truth is that they actually engaged in a lot of physical activities as opposed to the sedentary lifestyle we live today! Have you ever hit the gym and come back with sore muscle pain? Well, that is a very common problem most of us face. While it may not require medical assistance, it does need time and constant body movement to ensure the body does not face a jerk due to workouts.
The human body is a magnanimous creation. Absolutely unquestionable! Every nerve, every cell, every vessel, and every organ has a role to play- an absolutely irreplaceable role. This, however, requires gentle care and exercise in regular intervals to ensure that it functions smoothly. Our body movements are one of the most significant milestones necessary to achieve when we develop. Once complete, it needs a timely check. As we age, we engage in more physical activities in and out of the gym. This includes daily walking, running, weight lifting, and exercising. The body works just like a machine. An oil lubricates the machine, and exercise lubricates the human body.
You must have come across several cases where people go for physiotherapy. After any surgery or accident, physiotherapy is also involved when the body starts healing. A patient must follow This integral part of complete healing to regain the lost flexibility religiously. If you want to learn what goes into becoming a Physiotherapist, this is the suitable space for you. Let us begin by understanding what a Bachelor of Physiotherapy degree offers.
A Bachelor of Physiotherapy is regarded as one of the most rewarding career opportunities students can pursue after completing their 12th. Typically, this is a four-year undergraduate degree. As you must have understood from the term, it is a degree that focuses on the science of body movements. The curriculum involves learning how to improve the body’s physical functioning. Also, it throws light on training programmes where the students are taught about the different injuries and spasms.
Additionally, the degree focuses on human anatomy, understanding the various organisms, treating location problems in the body, and learning about treating muscular issues. If you are wondering about the difference between a doctor and a physiotherapist, it is the prescription of medicines or supplements. In the case of physiotherapists, they try to heal the patient through the practice of gradual body movements. They do not rely on any medicines or supplements.
| College/ University | Fee structure (subject to change) |
| Manipal Academy of Higher Education | INR 11,30,000 |
| Christian Medical College, Vellore | INR 60,000 |
| Christian Medical College, Ludhiana | INR 3,23,200 |
| Chandigarh University | INR 3,43,000 |
| Dayanand Sagar University | – |
Medical science is a growing and promising field. Technology may make it easy or convenient for medical professionals to work in the coming years, but it cannot wholly replace human skills. After the COVID pandemic, it is clearly visible that medicine as a career has become the need of the hour. Therefore, it is a demanding area, a secure option for future prospects, and a promising return on investment. Going forward, there are a few career options that you can explore after completing your Bachelor’s in physiotherapy. Look at the options listed below to see what you can explore:
| Career | Salary Range (Subject to change) |
| Orthopedic Physiotherapist | INR 3LPA- INR 4 LPA |
| Physiotherapy Lecturer | INR 3LPA- INR 4 LPA |
| Osteopath | INR 17 LPA to INR 18 LPA |
| Geriatric Physiotherapists | INR 8 LPA to INR 9 LPA |
| Sports Physiotherapist | INR 6 LPA to INR 7 LPA |
Here is a detailed process of becoming a physiotherapist:
Eligibility: To pursue your Bachelor of Physiotherapy degree, you must complete your 10 + 2 from a recognised board with subjects such as Physics, Chemistry, and Biology and a minimum percentage of 50%.
Entrance Exam: Various medical universities and colleges hold entrance exams for physiotherapy courses. Some well-known exams include the Common Entrance Test (CET), the JIPMER All India Entrance Test, and the All India Medical Entrance Examination (AIMEE).
Degree: The Bachelor of Physiotherapy (BPT) is a four-and-a-half-year program for aspiring physiotherapists. Students study various subjects throughout the course, including anatomy, pharmacology, pathology, disability prevention and rehabilitation, injuries, and therapy training. In addition to gaining theoretical knowledge, students must complete a mandatory 6-month internship.
Hunt for Jobs: After completing a BPT (Bachelor of Physiotherapy), you can apply for a position as a physiotherapist at your preferred workplace. Some candidates also choose to establish their own private practice to treat patients. Before applying, it’s beneficial to have a well-crafted resume to enhance your employment prospects.
Master’s degree: Candidates interested in furthering their education can pursue a two-year postgraduate course in physiotherapy. To be eligible for an MPT (Master of Physiotherapy), candidates must hold a BPT degree from a recognised college or university.
The roles and responsibilities of a physiotherapist differ according to the job profile, workplace, or the company they are associated with. Physiotherapists can work in a hospital, as visiting doctors, and sometimes with clients. Typically, a client takes a while to recover and, therefore, requires the guidance of the physiotherapist. This is why most physiotherapists also work with their specific patients at home until they fully recover. Here are some day-to-day functions that a physiotherapist works on:
Assess muscle strength and physical movement range in patients.
Recommend corrective exercises.
Assess balance in patients with neurological conditions.
Administer various therapies, including ultrasound, cryotherapy, whirlpool, infrared, ultraviolet, diathermy, and transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS).
Provide massage and techniques for soft tissue stimulation.
Utilize manual therapy and mobilisation techniques.
Assist patients in managing chronic pain to prevent the need for surgery.
Conduct gait and wheelchair training sessions.
Teach patients to walk with or without aids like frames and crutches.
Assess and recommend in-home support and accessibility aids.
Enhance physical mobility in patients with cardiopulmonary issues.
A degree in Physiotherapy will indeed build the foundation for your career in the field of Physiotherapy. However, it is necessary to understand that the work of a doctor, or any medical professional for that matter, is the work of skills. Over the years, doctors have kept practising what they learned, and their skills and knowledge have sharpened with time. You may require the necessary educational qualifications, but only practical experiences can enhance your skills. Here is a list of skills that you may require to become a successful physiotherapist:
Listening skills: The patience and dedication to attentively hear patients’ concerns and provide appropriate guidance.
Positivity Maintaining a positive mindset to instil optimism in patients, thereby enhancing their self-confidence.
Counseling skills: The capability to counsel patients and their families, helping to alleviate their fears and anxieties.
Diagnosis skills: The ability to assess the severity of pain and recommend suitable treatments.
Interpersonal skills: The expertise to collaborate effectively with other specialists, administrators, and patients as part of a team.
Time management skills: The discipline to be punctual for appointments and attend to patients promptly.
Physical fitness: Being physically strong and fit to perform the hands-on work required in the job efficiently.
A degree in physiotherapy is demanding and promises a good return. You can look up the online courses available to understand the subject apart from the degree you pursue in this field. This will help you enhance your skills and knowledge. Additionally, intern with doctors or physiotherapists to gain an insight into the work that they do on a day-to-day basis. This will help you grasp the concepts faster as you will practically watch the doctor work, and it will also help you understand how your work life will appear once you qualify as a physiotherapist.
A Bachelor of Physiotherapy (BPT) can significantly enhance your career prospects, leading to excellent job opportunities and attractive salaries. By choosing this course, you will enter the field of physiotherapy. BPT aspirants must understand the fundamentals of physiotherapy before enrolling. Upon completing the course, your journey towards achieving your career goals begins! BPT graduates have numerous options available to them. With a BPT graduate degree, you can secure well-paying positions in the private sector. Physiotherapists work with individuals who have disabilities, disability-related health issues, chronic pain, or other musculoskeletal problems by providing physiotherapy treatment and physical therapy.
Q.1 After a Bachelor’s in physiotherapy, what government jobs are available?
Government institutions such as SAI (Sports Authority of India), CRPF (Central Reserve Police Force), SGPGIMS (Sanjay Gandhi Postgraduate Institute of Medical Sciences), AIIMS (All India Institute of Medical Sciences), and others hire physiotherapists who hold a BPT degree from a recognised university.
Q.2 What choices do you have after a Bachelor’s in physiotherapy?
After a Bachelor’s in physiotherapy, you can:
Work as a physiotherapist in hospitals or start your own practice.
Pursue an MPT for specialisation.
Specialize in areas like sports, paediatrics, or orthopaedics.
Enter research or academia.
Get certifications for skill enhancement.
Work in fitness or corporate settings.
Q.3 Is it possible for BPT graduates to work for the government?
Yes, BPT graduates can work for the government in institutions like SAI, CRPF, SGPGIMS, AIIMS, etc.
Q.4 Does Physiotherapy require NEET?
The National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET) is now a compulsory requirement for admission to undergraduate physiotherapy courses. Here is the draft curriculum for physiotherapy for further details.
Q.5 Which degree is best for Physiotherapist?
A Bachelor of Physiotherapy (BPT) is an undergraduate program that educates students to treat physical conditions and disabilities using therapeutic techniques, exercises, and modalities.
