What is Physiotherapy?
Physiotherapy is the treatment of disease, injury, or physical condition. Physiotherapy is a healthcare profession that helps people recover physical movement through manual therapy such as massage therapy and exercise. Physiotherapy can help with several conditions such as back and neck pain, sports injuries, post-surgery rehab, arthritis, work-related injuries, and neurological disorders.
Back and neck pain – improve posture, reduce tension and strengthens muscles
Sports injuries – Speeds recovery, prevents injury from occurring again and procedure to heal
Post-surgery rehabilitation – Restores strength and range of motion
Arthritis – Aids joint stiffness and helps function
Neurological disorders – Regain balance and mobility (example: stroke patient)
Work-related – Pain management
Kinesiologist vs Physiotherapist
Physiotherapists and Kinesiologists both have a similar motive; helping recovery and injury prevention of the human body. Physiotherapy differs as it additionally focuses on manual therapy and patients in pain and post-surgery, where Kinesiologists use exercise programs to enhance performance and health. Becoming a physiotherapist requires further education such as a master’s degree and the Canadian Physiotherapy Competency Exam (PCE). Most Kinesiologists have lower salaries than Physiotherapists as well.
Physiotherapist salaries
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- Range from $61,000-$108,000 annually
How?
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- Bachelor’s degree in BSc kinesiology – Take required courses through secondary school
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- Practical Experience – Internships and volunteering relating to Kinesiology field
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- Apply for master’s in physical therapy (MPT or MScPT)
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- Complete Master’s
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- Pass Canadian Physiotherapy Competency Exam (PCE)
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- Apply for Licensure
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