The Job & Roles of a Physiotherapist
Physiotherapists, also called physical therapists, are responsible for treating those living with physical ailments and injuries. Career opportunities for physiotherapists are available in hospitals, rehabilitation centers, sports clubs and nursing homes. According to PayScale.com, the middle 50 percent of physiotherapists earned between $38,000 and $81,000 per year, as of 2011.
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Assess Health
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Physiotherapists work with patients who assess their physical problems and determine why they are experiencing pain, limited muscle movement and other types of injuries. In order to asses a patient's physical condition, physiotherapists may take them through a series of movements to identify the physical problems. While some patients may be experiencing problems because of a specific incident, such as a car accident, surgery or sports injury, others may have a physical or neurological condition.
Develop Exercise Programs
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When developing a treatment program, physiotherapists create an exercise routine that is designed to reduce pain and improve mobility. Exercise programs may involve light weight training or cardiovascular work, such as running, walking, swimming or bicycling. The types of exercises depend on the severity of the pain or immobility. As patients begin to make progress, exercise programs will be modified and become more strenuous.
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Perform Massage Therapy
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Physiotherapists also perform massage therapy on clients to loosen up the joints and relax the muscles and tissues in a patient's body. Massages may be performed before or after an exercise program to help increase blood and oxygen circulation in the body. Physiotherapists may focus on the part of the body where a patient is experiencing problems to ensure that area is relaxed.
Create a Long-Term Plan
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Because patients may only visit physiotherapists for a limited time, a long-term treatment plan may need to be developed to ensure they remain pain free and regain and maintain full physical mobility. Not only will the long-term treatment plans consist of stretching, strength training and cardiovascular exercises, but physiotherapists will also include nutritional plans, ensuring that patients remain healthy by having the tools to live a healthy lifestyle.
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References
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