An introduction to

physiotherapy
 What is physiotherapy?
Physiotherapy, or physical therapy, is a healthcare profession that uses exercise
and manipulation of the body to treat a range of physical problems caused by:

• Sports injuries
• Accidents
• Disability
• Illness
• Ageing

Physiotherapy improves strength, balance, mobility and overall fitness

 What do
physiotherapists do?
The work is very broad and varied, and involves working with people to:

• Treat specific conditions

• Regain mobility after accidents or surgery
• Avoid injuries and create healthy
lifestyle plans (preventative healthcare)
What skills are needed?
Physiotherapy is a very ‘hands on’ profession.
You need to be:

• Interested in working with people

• Keen to promote good health
• Motivated by seeing results
• Good at human biology
 Where do physiotherapists work?
They can work in industry, special schools, private practice, or leisure and
sport clubs, but most are in one of the following NHS hospital departments:

• Outpatients
• Paediatrics
• Orthopaedics
• Stroke rehabilitation
• Elderly care
• Terminal illness
• Mental health and learning difficulties
How do I become a
physiotherapist?
• Qualification is through a degree course
• 36 UK universities offer the course
• Entry requirements vary, but the norm
is a range of ‘A’ levels or SCE Highers,
one in a biological science.
Not interested in a degree?
Why not become a support worker?

• Support workers make up

around 10% of the physiotherapy team
• Duties vary hugely but can include equipment
issue, exercise practise and even massage
• No formal qualifications are required but a
GVNQ in Health and Social Care is an advantage
• Experience of working with people is useful too
The average physiotherapy
team is made up of both
physiotherapists
and support workers
 Find out more at:
www.csp.org.uk/careers