PHYSIOTHERAPIST JOB

Physiotherapists treat patients with physical difficulties resulting from illness, injury, disability or ageing. They treat people of all ages including children, the elderly, stroke patients and people with sports injuries. Physiotherapists work with patients to identify and improve their movement and function. They help promote their patients' health and wellbeing, and assist the rehabilitation process by developing and restoring body systems, in particular the neuromuscular, musculoskeletal, cardiovascular and respiratory systems.

They devise and review treatment programmers, comprising manual therapy, movement, therapeutically exercise and the application of technological equipment, e.g. ultrasound. Physiotherapists also provide advice on how to avoid injury. Physiotherapists work in a range of settings, including hospitals, health centers, industry, private practice and sports clubs. Treatment involves encouraging exercise and movement by the use of manual and mechanical techniques, such as therapeutic movement and exercise therapy, massage, manipulation and electro and/or hydrotherapy.

They treat a wide variety of conditions, such as injuries and fractures (including sports injuries), orthopedics and joints, strokes, post surgical rehabilitation, intensive care or terminal illness, abdominal conditions, obstetrics and gynecology, chest conditions, posture and movement, neurological conditions, learning difficulties and mental illness. Typical work activities include: working with patients to identify the physical problem, developing and reviewing treatment programmers, assisting patients with joint and spinal problems.

Helping patients' rehabilitation following accidents, injury and strokes, supervising physiotherapy assistants, writing patient case notes and reports, collecting patient statistics. Educating and advising patients and their careers about how to prevent and/or improve conditions for treating patients, liaising with other healthcare personnel to supply and receive relevant information about the background and progress of patients, as well as referring patients who require other specific medical attention. Physiotherapists often see patients for several consultations over a period of weeks or months.