Photograph: Rajesh Thakur

FAST FACTS
Programmes: BPT, MPT 
Best Institutes: Institute for Physically Handicapped, New Delhi; PGMIR, Chandigarh; Government Medical College, Nagpur; KEM Hospital, Mumbai; and NIRTAR, Orissa 
Job Profiles: Independent practitioner; physiotherapists in hospitals, rehab centres, special schools

TWO years ago Suraj Bala was paralysed. But today, she climbs the stairs to her physiotherapist Dr. Bidhu Kathari’s clinic with the help of a crutch. “I was completely confined to bed. Thanks to my physiotherapist, I am able to walk now,” the 50-year-old says with a smile. An accident had rendered her immobile and even simple daily chores proved to be Herculean tasks. Bala’s was an extreme case. It required intensive physiotherapy intervention, which is not uncommon for Dr. Kathari.

But physiotherapy can also heal common problems like stiff necks and frozen shoulders like the one Piyali Dasgupta Saha woke up with one fine day. The pain was excruciating and simple tasks were impossible for her to perform. Consultation with a doctor led her to physiotherapy. New to the concept, Piyali followed her instructor and is all fit now. She swears by the therapy and believes that the treatment was a real healer in restoring her muscular energy and curing her pain. “A physiotherapist plays long even after the medicinal treatment is over because it helps in restitution of stamina and energy in the affected area,” says Dr. Kathari.

Only therapy, no drugs 
One of the oldest healing systems, physiotherapy comprises examination, treatment, advice and instructions to any person with a movement dysfunction to help restore muscular activity sans medication. The therapy has evolved a simple massage into a complex assortment of therapies with multiple and specialised application. Besides using physical agents like exercise, mechanical and electrotherapy, often a physiotherapist provides counselling since many a patient has experienced traumatic circumstances like accidents.
 

• Physiotherapy: How to enter the field

Know your course
One can opt for the course right after 10+2 with Physics, Chemistry, Biology and English as compulsory subjects. You can pursue a one-year diploma (DPT), degree (BSc) or professional course (BPT of four years with a 6-month internship). Admissions are generally based on the entrance examination conducted both at the State and national level. After BPT one can pursue a postgraduate degree (MPT) in this field.

The remuneration
At hospitals, the salary can vary from Rs. 10,000 to Rs. 40,000 per month. Typically at established private practitioners or hospitals it can start at Rs. 20,000. Most physiotherapists with experience start their own private practice. They charge between Rs. 150 to Rs. 1000 per hour based on their reputation and skills. According to Rohit Khurana, who runs a private clinic in Gurgaon and Ashu Gupta, Head of the Physiotherapy Department’s Sports injury Centre at Safdurjung Hospital, as you hone your skills your remuneration will improve. Both feel that there’s a dire need for a government-recognised body that standardises remuneration.

Are you a doctor?
According to the Indian Association of Physiotherapy, a physiotherapist can use the prefix ‘Dr’, writing PT as the suffix. Yet, misconceptions about this remain since it is a drug-less treatment. Namrata, a physiotherapy student at Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda, who is aware of this misconception, says proudly, “This discussion over such a trivial thing makes no difference to me. I will be happy to be called a physiotherapist. I am not here to just treat but will also heal my patients.” Apart from the quintessential academics, a dedicated desire to help people get back to normal living, team spirit, good observation powers, the ability to instil confidence and courage in patients makes a good physiotherapist.  

Dr. Hemant Juneja Head of Dept - BPT, Amar Jyoti Institute, Delhi Also runs Cadence Physiotherapy Clinic "Beware: Not all colleges are genuine!" Q. Does a BPT degree suffice for professional practice or an MPT is mandatory? A. Obviously MPT gives you an edge but BPT is good enough to start your own practice. Q. How good is the employment scenario for physiotherapists in India? A. The demand for physiotherapists is plenty and all because of the improper lifestyle we have incorporated. Ailments like frozen neck and shoulder, knee problem, tennis elbow are very common these days. It’s the awareness and understanding of people that make them avoid painkillers and go for alternative treatment like physiotherapy. A physiotherapist can work in various departments of hospitals like orthopaedics, cardiac, neurology, sports injury, women health, community-based rehabilitation and hand rehabilitation. Q. Are things different outside India? A. Entirely. In countries like the US, UK, Canada, and Australia, a physiotherapist is paid very well. The medical system is sound and they have a separate body for the regulation and checking other vitalities. Physiotherapy is taken as a different stream altogether. Q. Any ill effects of the lack of governing body on education? A. Physiotherapy colleges are mushrooming in India which are not even recognised and with no one to keep a watch on them, in the garb of it, the genuine ones suffer.