Physiotherapist Online Courses & Certifications

 

Physiotherapists are the health care professionals who treat patients with physical difficulties resulting from any kind of injury, illness, disability or aging, such that their conditions are improved and the further risks are reduced.

 

They treat patients through customized treatment programs to help them in regaining functional ability. A physiotherapist can work at clinics, schools, sport and rehabilitation center and nursing homes. 

 

Must Read - What is Physiotherapist?

 

Types of Physiotherapists

 

Different specializations for physiotherapists are -

 

Musculoskeletal Physiotherapists – These physiotherapists treat muscle and joint conditions of the patients, such as strains, sprains, and posture problems.

 

Cardiorespiratory/Cardiopulmonary Physiotherapists – Cardiorespiratory physiotherapists are responsible to prevent, treat and rehabilitate the patients with heart and lung conditions including asthma, chronic bronchitis, and other cardio-respiratory disorders.

 

Neurological Physiotherapists – Neurological physiotherapists diagnose and treat the nervous and neuromuscular conditions of the patients, including nervous system disorders, strokes, and brain injuries.

 

Geriatric Physiotherapists - Geriatric physiotherapists are responsible for the rehabilitation and providing physical therapy to older patients.

 

Pediatric Physiotherapists – These physiotherapists look after the rehabilitation of children after any disease or injury.

 

Sports Physiotherapists - Sports physiotherapists work towards reducing pain and rehabilitate the patients after any sort of sports injuries.

 

Women’s Health Physiotherapists – As the name suggests, they treat various physical conditions of females, including reproductive systems, childbirth, incontinence, etc.

 

Rehabilitation and Pain Management Physiotherapists – These physiotherapists are responsible to advise exercises to reduce and manage pain following surgery, injury or illness.

 

Clinical Electrophysiotherapists – Clinical electrophysiotherapists use electrical stimulation and other techniques to aid in the healing of wounds and injuries like burns, sores, or even post-amputation wounds. 

 

Also Explore - Clinical Research Courses

 

Eligibility To Become A Physiotherapist

 

The eligibility to get admission in a bachelor's program in physiotherapy is a 10+2 or equivalent with Physics, Chemistry, and Biology as compulsory subjects. They should have secured a minimum of 50% marks or equivalent grade and must be at least 17 years of age.

 

B.PT (Bachelor of Physiotherapy) – 4 years 

M.PT (Master of Physiotherapy) – 2 years

 

Selection in Physiotherapist Courses

 

The admission to the undergraduate and postgraduate courses is through entrance examinations. There is a Common Entrance Test (CET) to get enrolled to the course in Bachelor of Physiotherapy (BPT). 

 

To pursue a postgraduate program in physiotherapy, the applicant should have a BPT or B.Sc. degree in physiotherapy. Candidates can opt for different specializations such as cardiopulmonary physiotherapy, geriatric physiotherapy, neurological physiotherapy, orthopedic physiotherapy, pediatric physiotherapy, integumentary physiotherapy, or sports physiotherapy, etc., and learn about specific biological, surgical, physical and medical functioning of the human body.

 

These courses help the students to understand the human body and train them in the relevant skills. The curriculum involves mainly practical work, where the students have to undergo an internship, and then work under the supervision of physiotherapy professionals to gain an on the job experience.

 

Must Read - What is Clinical Research?

 

Popular Physiotherapy Courses Online

 

Physiotherapy is a knowledge-based professional which needs consistent upgrading. This is why practising physiotherapists as well as aspirants can start with the following online courses:

 

Physiotherapy Exercise and Physical Activity for Knee Osteoarthritis (PEAK) by FutureLearn

It is a 4-week course that focuses on patient empowerment through education, prescription of a strengthening exercise program and a physical activity plan, as per the patient needs. You will learn how to use minimal exercise equipment to enable patients to perform exercise independently at home. You will also get to learn how to implement best-practice care to people with knee osteoarthritis, delivered through one-to-one consultations, via videoconferencing or during face-to-face, in-person consultations. 

 

Back Pain: Finding solutions for your aching back by Harvard University

This is a course by Harvard Health Publishing, which covers the best practices, procedures and preventative steps to help treat the back pain. The course will help you learn the essential facts on both common and rare back conditions and presents articulate and definitive instruction to address each problem effectively.

 

Responsibilities of a Physiotherapist

 

Physiotherapy or Physical therapy is an essential part of the rehabilitation process after any sort of injury. Rehabilitation care is one of the most common activities performed by physiotherapists. The major roles and responsibilities of a physiotherapist include -

 

1. To treat patients for a variety of conditions, including neurological, neuromusculoskeletal, cardiovascular as well as respiratory, to name a few
2. To diagnose and treat the physical conditions of the patients
3. To devise a comprehensive rehabilitation plan for the patients
4. To develop and review treatment programs as per the physical conditions of the patients and prescribe them exercises and therapies
5. To educate the patients and their family members about the treatment and rehabilitation, and ways of preventing and/or improving their physical conditions
6. To write case reports of every patient and track down their improvements by collecting statistics
7. To collaborate with other healthcare professionals to encourage a holistic approach to treatment and ensure the overall well-being of the patients who require other medical attention
8. To keep themselves updated with the latest new techniques and equipment for treating patients
9. To develop and implement screening and preventative health promotion programs
10. To manage clinical risks associated with the physiotherapy

 

Skills Required to Become Physiotherapist

 

The following skills are necessary for anyone who aspires to become a  physiotherapist:

1. Theoretical and practical knowledge of physical rehabilitation skills and techniques for effectively treating human injuries, diseases, and deformities
2. Knowledge of gross or fine motor skills
3. Extensive knowledge of animal tissues and cells
4. Knowledge of chemical composition, structure, and properties of all types of medicines and medicinal treatments
5. Knowledge of three-dimensional and spatial relationships of anatomical structures
6. Good interpersonal and observational skills
7. Attention to detail
8. Integrity
9. Analytical Thinking
10. Ability to work independently
11. Stress tolerance
12. Empathy towards patients

 

Tools and Techniques Used By Physiotherapists

 

Following tools and techniques are widely used by therapists to treat patients:

1. Spinal Traction to provide relief from the symptoms of spinal nerve compression.
2. Short Wave Diathermy is used to produce deep heat in soft tissues and joints through electromagnetic therapy.
3. Laser is used for the healing of injured tissues, pain relief and to decrease swelling associated with lymphedema. 
4. Ultrasound increases circulation promotes healing and is beneficial in decreasing pain in injured tissues.
5. Electrical Simulation provides relief from pain, strengthen injured muscles and helps in healing wound and tissues. 
6. Active compression and cold exchange is used for reducing swelling and relief from post-injury pain. 
7. Taping is a protective mechanism used during an existing injury as a method of protection from re-injury. 

 

Employers for Physiotherapists

 

Physiotherapists can run their own practice or can work for a healthcare organization. Private clinics, hospitals, nursing homes, community centres, charities, Industrial organisations and special schools are some places that employee physiotherapists.

 

Useful Resources For Physiotherapists

 

Below are some resources to help you earn the concepts of physiotherapy:

 

1. The Physiotherapist's Pocketbook is a great read for clinicians and students on the core clinical placements neurology, musculoskeletal and respiratory. It is a useful book in treatment and assessment planning. 

2. Essentials of Orthopaedics and Applied Physiotherapy informs its readers about the latest surgical concepts and physiotherapy techniques. It also discusses rehabilitation protocols for post-surgical conditions. 

3. Neuromusculoskeletal Examination and Assessment: A Handbook for Therapists (Physiotherapy Essentials) is a systematic guide for the assessment of patients who are suffering from neuromusculoskeletal dysfunction. The book focuses on the technical and clinical development of reasoning skills that are involved in the differential diagnosis of nerve, joint and muscle tissue. 

4. Neurological Physiotherapy Pocketbook provides evidence-based information. The book consists of information on neurological rehabilitation, stroke and spinal cord injury. It also talks about neural plasticity, common motor impairments and their impact, cognitive and orthotic management. 

5. Practical Evidence-based Physiotherapy is a book that discusses evidence-based practice in physiotherapy including what constitutes as evidence and the implementation of the finding in day-to-day clinical settings.The book contains detailed presentations of strategies to search for evidence and included extensive consideration of the guidelines of clinical practice.