Sports Physiotherapist

Individuals must have vast knowledge about the human body and its workings, especially about the heart and nerves. Apart from having a passion for sports, the individuals should want the well being and safety of others.

Sports physiotherapists must be compassionate as well as have excellent communication skills to help their clients understand how they are helping them. Along with this, the sports physiotherapist should have strong administrative skills so that he/she is able to record all the procedures that have been implemented with each client.

Sports physiotherapists should also be able to work in a team environment.

There are three main things that a sports physiotherapist does. Firstly, they prevent injuries. This is done by devising a workout routine and a healthy diet. Some sports physiotherapists use scientific methods, while others rely on the traditional methods of keeping the body fit.

The purpose of these workouts is to push the athlete to their limits, without overdoing it and causing harm to the individual. It enables the athlete’s body to grow and makes them more fit. Progress of the athlete is recorded and measured to ensure that the athlete is safe.

The second job description of a sports physiotherapist is that they educate the athletes on how to obtain training that is healthy and also how to prevent any injuries. The different types of training methods are elaborated upon such as warm ups etc. Sports therapists also devise ways on how to avoid that injury.
Thirdly, a sports physiotherapist treats injuries.

It is their job to make sure that the athlete recovers quickly and properly before they return back to the game. During matches, when injuries occur, the first thing that the sports physiotherapist does is to carry out first aid.

If the injury is minor, then this is sufficient, however if it is major and the athlete requires surgery and rehabilitation, it is the sports physiotherapist who takes care of the rehabilitation; working with the athlete to help athletes recover.

Sports physiotherapists use a variety of methods to help them heal athletes including ice stimulation, heat stimulation, a range of motion exercises, electrical stimulation, acupuncture, massages, manipulative techniques etc.

The individual interested in becoming a sports physiotherapist must first complete a degree in physiotherapy. It is also necessary to get some healthcare experience, such as becoming a physiotherapy assistant before actually applying for the sports physiotherapy position.

You must also earn a Masters degree in sports physiotherapy, sports exercise and medicine, sports injury or rehabilitation science if you want to work in professional sport physiotherapy.

In the UK, salaries for sports physiotherapists range from £30,000 upwards, however it depends on the location, experience and the employer. If the individual is very good at his/her job, they may earn up to £56,000 per annum. In Australia, the average salary for sports physiotherapists was $73,000 per annum.

In India, this salary ranges from between Rs. 60,000 and Rs. 300,000 per month. Bonuses and medical benefits are also given to some physiotherapists.

Sports physiotherapists usually work 38 hours a week and may be required to put in some extra time if their patients demand it. They work irregular hours and usually also work on weekends. If the

sports physiotherapist

is touring with a team, he/she may be required to work over 16 hours a day.

Moreover, they are usually found in gyms or at a field; however they may spend time visiting patients at home if it is required. Sports physiotherapists also spend some time on their desks analyzing the progress of patients.

There is also some travelling involved with the physiotherapist is touring with the team, or attending training conferences in another city or country. Usually the

sports physiotherapist

helps patients single handedly, with no outside help.

The biggest perk of being a sports physiotherapist is the ability to work with famous athletes and treat them. Moreover, sports physiotherapists travel a lot on competitions or training sessions, or even on tour with the team, so the travel opportunity is great.

Along with this, Sports physiotherapists also work with a great team of players who are dedicated and supportive. Also the ability to heal patients is a perk of its own.

One downside to being a sports physiotherapist is that there are long hours required in this job and so anyone who is not dedicated should not consider this career. Furthermore as there is extensive travelling involved, there is a lot of time that is spent away from their friends and families.

Along with this, the salary is not very high when it is compared to other medical professions.

The physiotherapy industry is expected to grow; especially the sports sector because of the participation of women in different sporting games. The sector is expected to expand till 2014 and thus it is expected that there will be a large boom in the industry.

In most cities where gyms are located and there are professional sporting teams playing.