Right course?

[Matt18]

Hi,
Sorry if this is in the wrong section! Basically I want to become a Physiotherapist hopefully working within a professional sports club. I've applied to do a course in Sports Rehabilitation at Bolton Uni next year. Just wondered if anyone knows the path that professional football physio's and other sports normally take and whether this coruse is right if that's what I want to persue. Thanks!

[gcoe]

Maybe a fellow Canadian can give you more specific information about the particular course you are pursuing. I have no knowledge of the merits of this course. However do you realise this is not a physiotherapy course. You will not be able to practice as a physiotherapist on completing this course

To qualify as a physio you have to complete an accredited physiotherapy course which in your country is a Masters qualification. When completing an entry level course in physiotherapy you are introduced to all aspects of physiotherapy and gain experience in a number of key areas of practice. Sports physiotherapy is only one part. You become a "generalist" before you get involved in your preferred area of practice. Most physos interested in sports physiotherapy would go onto a post graduate course once they had gained some experience. so we are talking about a number of years of study.

However this course may or may not be recognised as bachelor's degree that you can use when applying for a physiotherapy Masters programme. However if you have your heart set on being a physio I would check out what are the preferred criteria for entry to a physio masters programme you wish to apply. For more info on physio courses Have a look at this thread:

http://www.physiobob.com/forum/gener...lp-needed.html

[HelenLW]

Hi,

I'm a Sport Rehabilitator, graduated from St Mary's University in Twickenham. It's a great degree to do, very practical and you just concentrate on Musculoskeletal injuries, early, mid and late stage rehab. It's very similar to the musculoskeletal aspect of Physiotherapy, using the same assessment and treament techniques, in fact most of my lecturers were Physiotherapists. The course was designed because they felt there was a gap in the treatment of musculoskeletal injuries in sport. However, you will be a Graduate Sport Rehabilitator, not a Physiotherapist. Physio's treat a lot more than just musculoskeletal injuries.

It's very very hard getting into working with football clubs, because so many people want to do that. You'll have the qualification to be be able to do this with your Rehab degree but I think they mainly look for experienced physio's to employ. However, if you're open to other areas in sport other than professional football then there will be lots you can do if you're good at what you do!

You will be able to apply for a Physio Masters once you have graduated from Sport Rehab as it is a relevant degree, but the Physio Masters is a 2 year full time course which is very intense apparently. I've got my interview for the Physio Masters tomorrow as I want to go into respiratory and neuro physio because there's only so much you can do treating musculoskeletal injuries!

Hope that helps a little bit, good luck deciding. If you're interested in sport and the human body then you'll love the Sport Rehab course.