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Physiotherapists are an integral part of the health care team. The job of a physiotherapist is to assess, diagnose, treats and work to prevent disease and disability through movement and exercise. They work with patients who have neurological, musculoskeletal, cardiopulmonary, sports, geriatric, oncological, or other impairments. These health professionals assess movement dysfunction, develop care plans, and use therapeutic exercises.
However, what you may not know is that a physiotherapist can go beyond these basic skills and specialise in a specific type once they have completed their physiotherapy degree. There are many physiotherapy specialties to consider, and each has its own unique purpose and set of responsibilities. In this post, we will take a closer look at physiotherapy careers once you have completed Physiotherapy degree.
Once you have completed your Physiotherapy degree you will be able to provide physical therapy, both autonomously and as part of a wider team. Physiotherapists work in places such as public and private clinics and hospitals, health centres, sports clubs, schools, nursing homes and geriatric centres, and research centres.
Below, we highlight the main physiotherapy careers you should consider for your future as a physical therapy professional:
You can work in the public health system or in private centres, mutual insurance companies, independently in your own practice or in centres linked to organisations for patients with specific pathologies such as Parkinson's disease. If you opt for public health care, you should know that each autonomous community in Spain has its own particularities in terms of the public examinations and how many places are available. To work in the public systems in other countries, you will need to check the requirements and necessary qualifications and experience.
If you are passionate about sport, sports physiotherapy could be an interesting option and you should consider studying a Master in Sports Physiotherapy.
A sports physiotherapist is a specialist whose job is to prevent and treat sports injuries, whether at a professional or amateur level. They usually work in a team with other specialists, coaches and physical trainers to design training plans or treatment and rehabilitation plans.
Paediatric physiotherapy is the branch of physiotherapy that focuses on the advice, treatment and care of people from 0 to 18 years of age. It can help children who have developmental delays, movement abnormalities or are at risk of developing them.
Some examples of the diseases that are often treated are: spinal muscular atrophy, cerebral palsy, coordination disorders, bronchiolitis, cystic fibrosis, asthma, Down's Syndrome. If you want to know more about this specialisation, you should study the Curso Terapia Manual Pediátrica (100% in Spanish).
This is a specialisation in physiotherapy that aims to prevent, treat and stabilise breathing dysfunctions or alterations. Respiratory physiotherapists treat patients of any age, from babies to the elderly, given that any person can present respiratory pathologies, whether primary or derived from other illnesses.
If you want a professional career in the area of respiratory physiotherapy, you should specialise in a course such as the Curso Fisioterapia Respiratoria Madrid or the Postgrado de experto en Fisioterapia Respiratoria in Valencia, both of which are also delivered in Spanish.
What we have seen so far is a small example of the career opportunities in physiotherapy. However, there are alternative career options for physiotherapists. With the Online Physiotherapy Course, for example, you can become not only an expert physiotherapist but also a leader within the emerging field of artificial intelligence and how it is used with the physiotherapy field. Thanks to the use of the Higflex platform, you will train with the most pioneering technology on the market. You will know how to apply scientifically proven injury detection tests with athletes and plan the recovery of a sports injury.
Whatever specialistion you choose, or programme you decide to study at Universidad Europea, you will have the chance to complete internships and work placements alongside experience professionals, as well as make the use of our state-of-the-art facilities to ensure you are as best prepared as possible to enter the workforce as a physiotherapist.