By: Rukhsar Jabbar. M.Sc. Physiotherapy. Freelance Health Writer and Datelinehealth Africa (DLHA) volunteer. Medical review and editorial support provided by the DLHA Team.
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Black Physical Therapist assisting a patient with exercises. Image credit: Freepik.
A Physical Therapist (Physiotherapist) is a medical professional with the training to assess and care for patients with injuries or illnesses that restrict their range of motion or capacity for physical activity. [1]
Physical therapists assist in strengthening muscles, reducing pain, and enhancing movement using techniques like exercise, massage, hot packs, cold, and electrical stimulation. Additionally, they provide activities that might assist in avoiding accidents and motion loss. [2]
This article aims to provide you with important information about the profession of Physical Therapy (Physiotherapy); what it is all about, how you can study and become a physical therapist and the career path you can expect to achieve either in the public or private sector.
Physical therapy, often referred to as Physiotherapy, can involve specific movements, bodywork, and therapies that rely on external stimuli (such as heat, cold, electrical currents, or ultrasound). Physical therapy aims to strengthen weak muscles, improve your range of motion, and decrease discomfort. [3]
Physical therapy consists of:
These methods are used to treat both acute and chronic illnesses, as well as to avoid further issues down the road or to help people recover from surgeries, long-term medical conditions, or injuries [3].
Physical therapy largely consists of exercises that require active performance of specific movements. These workouts enhance muscular strength, coordination, and mobility. You can perform the exercises on your own after the physical therapist demonstrates how to do them. Typically, learning these exercises is the major focus of physical therapy sessions. Physical therapy frequently seeks to assist you in increasing the total amount of physical activity in your daily life in addition to prescribing specific exercises [3].
Passive workouts are also employed occasionally. In other words, the therapist applies specific movements to specific bodily parts of the patient to increase the range of motion in a locked or stiff joint. If the patient is unable to move their arm or leg on their own, for example, these guided movements can also help the patient's body become ready for active workouts. A number of these treatments can be combined too [3].
Various forms of physical therapy treatments are based on physical stimulation in addition to exercises, massage, and hand movements to relax muscles and connective tissue. Among them are the following:
The focus of your treatment may vary depending on your medical condition and unique situation, but it may include the following objectives:
Sports Physiotherapy: Sports tend to be more physically demanding than other types of activities. Athletes are more susceptible to tendon injuries and muscle strains as a result. Sports physiotherapists can improve your overall performance and help you heal from sports injuries more quickly, regardless of your level of experience [4].
Geriatric Physiotherapy: Reduced physical strength, sluggish reflexes, and poorer balance and coordination are common in the elderly. Additionally, the majority have coexisting medical conditions that require certain activities to treat. Fortunately, geriatric physiotherapy can help manage common illnesses that affect older persons, like arthritis, Alzheimer's disease, and loss of motion [4].
Orthopedic Physiotherapy: Injuries to the knee, back, and neck typically result in persistent discomfort, as well as immobility and general weakness. Thankfully, orthopedic physical therapy can help you recover from a serious illness or accident and get back on track. To promote a correct and quick recovery, the goal of this physiotherapy is to integrate your other body parts with your musculoskeletal system [4].
Pediatric Physiotherapy: The field of pediatric physiotherapy is dedicated to the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of developmental problems in young children and adolescents. Children with cerebral palsy, stunted growth, skeletal abnormalities, or congenital limitations might benefit from innovative therapies and exercises designed by pediatric physiotherapists to help them regain strength and improve their motor skills [4].
Neurological Physiotherapy: Neurological illnesses or injuries affect the peripheral nerves, brain, and spinal cord. As a result, you may experience a loss of balance, reduced range of motion, and lack of muscle strength. This type of therapy is recommended for people who suffer from stroke, Parkinson’s disease, Cerebral Palsy, or Multiple Sclerosis. When you schedule an appointment with a neurological therapist, they will use different techniques to relieve pain, reduce stress, restore mobility, and prevent other neurological conditions [4].
Cardiovascular Physiotherapy: Cardiovascular physiotherapists assess patients and provide appropriate exercise programs to maintain healthy heart and lungs. Asthma and excessive chest discharge are among the disorders treated in this field of therapy [4].
A Physical Therapist frequently collaborates and works with other medical professionals in a variety of medical settings and areas, such as general, district and teaching hospitals; community health centers, or clinics, a few general practitioners' offices; certain sports teams, clubs, nonprofit organizations, and workplaces.[1]
To assess the type and degree of the patient's problems, the physiotherapist will first do an examination and make observations.
To facilitate the physiotherapist's diagnosis and creation of a customised treatment plan, the patient may be asked to perform certain exercises in their environment.
During the first session, the physiotherapist will also ask about general health to find out if the patient has any pre-existing conditions. Any allergies or phobias you may have should also be disclosed to the physiotherapist because they may have an impact on the course of treatment you receive [5].
Depending on the patient's condition, the session may include:
The physiotherapist will usually suggest a range of suitable stretches and exercises that you can do at home to hasten the healing process. They may also offer beneficial advice regarding a patient's diet and lifestyle [5].
Depending on their area of expertise, physical therapists can treat a wide range of medical issues with further care. Physical therapists strive to maximize healing or teach patients how to optimize their movement patterns, even if they might not be able to directly and independently treat medical diseases other than those that are exclusively musculoskeletal [6].
Physical therapy may be beneficial for the following disorders:
This depends on the healthcare access rules and guidance that obtains in your country. In some countries and situations, a physician referral may be required to obtain physical therapy consultation and service. In other situations, you may access a physical therapy service without physician referral.
Occupational health services, nonprofit organizations, patient associations, and the volunteer sector occasionally provide access to physiotherapy.
Typically, physiotherapy sessions are 30 to 40 minutes. However, this varies from person to person and clinic to clinic and depends on the specific needs of your injured area. You should expect to leave your physiotherapy session with a plan for how you’ll implement what you’ve been taught [7].
The training process to become a Physical Therapist or Physiotherapist in sub-Saharan Africa may vary from country to county. For example, originally physiotherapy in South Africa was mainly focused on practical work in clinics, and you needed a diploma to work in the field. But now, universities have programs for physiotherapy where graduates need to learn specific skills and general university knowledge. Physiotherapists now look at patient care in a broader way, improving their ability to think critically and solve problems, understanding each patient's needs, and collaborating with other healthcare professionals. [9]
The qualifications needed to become a physical therapist or physiotherapist will vary based on your country and the particular professional route you choose to pursue, but in general, you'll need to have the following educational attainments and skills (in most English speaking African countries):
1. A Senior Secondary School Level education
2. Pass the National Senior Certificate NC(V) - South Africa or West African School Certificate Examination (WASCE) in Anglophone West Africa.
3. Pass the Joint Admission Exam to enter a university of your choice (as in the case of Nigeria).
4. Obtain a Bachelor of Physiotherapy degree (usually a 4 year programme)
5. Serve 12 months of community service (in the case of South Africa and Nigeria).
6. Obtain a license to practice as may be applicable in your country.
Due to several factors, the salary of a Physical Therapist will vary from country to country in sub Saharan Africa.
In South Africa for example, Physical therapists’ or Physiotherapists' salaries can differ widely based on these various factors:
In South Africa, entry-level physiotherapists usually earn between R200,000 and R300,000 per year (US $11,000 – $16,000 at current exchange rate). As they gain experience, their pay typically increases significantly. Physiotherapists with two to four years of experience could expect to earn between R350,000 and R450,000 (US $19,000 – 24,000) annually.
Mid-career professionals with ten years or more of experience can anticipate earning between R600,000 and R900,000 (USD $32,000 - $48,000) per year. This represents a substantial increase compared to the pay of entry-level physiotherapists.[11]
Job challenges faced by Physical Therapists in many sub Saharan African countries may include:
(1) Scarcity of physiotherapists in the healthcare workforce;
(2) Uneven workforce distribution between public and private health systems;
(3) Uneven workforce distribution between rural and urban areas; and
(4) Limited availability in primary care settings as majority of physiotherapists work at the secondary and tertiary levels of care;
(5) Inadequate institutional resources, wages and support for fulfilling job satisfaction;
(6) Physical Therapy (Physiotherapy} is generally not included in national health policies, e.g., South Africa. [8]
A Physical Therapist is an important member of the healthcare team, who cares for patients with injuries or illnesses that restrict their range of motion or capacity for physical activity.
Physical therapists use various techniques to reduce pain, restore movement, and enhance quality of life. By offering personalized care and focusing on holistic healing, physical therapy plays a crucial role in ensuring people's health and mobility
The profession is enriching and has diverse sub-specialties. The entry and training requirements to become a Physical Therapist may vary from country to country and you will do well to research all applicable requirements for your specific country if you desire to choose a career path in Physical Therapy.
1. Physiotherapy. nhs.uk [Internet, Last reviewed 2022 Dec. 9]. [Cited 2024 Mar 19]. Available from: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/physiotherapy/.
2. NIH. National Cancer Institute. Physical Therapist [Internet, n.d.]. Cited 2024 March 19. Available from: https://www.cancer.gov/publications/dictionaries/cancer-terms/def/physical-therapist
3. National Library of Medicine. National Center for Biotechnology Information. Physical therapy. In: InformedHealth.org [Internet] [Internet. Created 2020 Aug. 27]. Cited 2024 Mar 19]. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK561514/
4. GenPhysio [Internet,. 2021 Oct. 25]. How many types of Physiotherapy treatments are there? Cited 2024 Mar 19. Available from: https://www.genphysio.com.au/our-news/how-many-types-of-physiotherapy-treatments-are-there/
5. Sports Medicine Information. Guide to sports medicine. What happens in a physiotherapy session? | [Internet, n.d.]. Cited 2024 Mar 19]. Available from: https://www.nsmi.org.uk/articles/physiotherapy/physiotherapy-session.html#:~:text=Depending%20on%20the%20nature%20of,included%20in%20the%20treatment%20pathway.
6. Smith L, Eagle R. Physical therapy: Who can benefit, and how can it help? [Internet. Last updated: 2024 Jan. 11]. Cited 2024 Mar 19. Available from: https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/160645.
7. Peyvandi S. How Often Should You Have Physiotherapy? - Freedom Physical Therapy [Internet. 2022 June 5]. Cited 2024 Mar 20. Available from: https://freedomphysicaltherapy.ca/how-often-should-you-have-physiotherapy/.
8. Narain S, Mathye D. Strategies to integrate physiotherapists into primary health care in South Africa. South African Journal of Physiotherapy [Internet. 79(1) 2023] Cited 2024 Mar 28. Available from: http://www.sajp.co.za/index.php/SAJP/article/view/1796.
9. Krause MW, Viljoen MJ, Nel MM, Joubert G. Development of a framework with specific reference to exit-level outcomes for the education and training of South African undergraduate physiotherapy students. Health Policy 77(1): 2006. 37–42. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.healthpol.2005.07.015. Available from: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S016885100500182X.
10. HW Careers. Physical Therapist [Internet, n.d]. Cited 2024 Mar 30. Available from: https://hw-careers.co.za/career/physical-therapy/.
11. Ashton. Physiotherapist Salary in South Africa: Career Guide. Arcadia Finance [Internet 2024 March 7] Cited 2024 Mar 30. Available from: https://www.arcadiafinance.co.za/personal-finance/income/physiotherapist-salary/
Published: March 31, 2024
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