I qualified in 2005 in the UK but have only been working as a physio since Sept 2010 as there weren't (and still aren't) enough jobs to go around when I qualified. In the end I completed a course in remedial massage and set up my own business offering physio and massage, which is far from ideal but needs must. Check out the job prospects, if the competition is stiff and is likely to remain so then there are plenty of other occupations with better job prospects...

You'll earn every penny, whether in the public or private sector.

Re pain in arms and hands, I've not been working long enough to testify, though if you're doing lots of manual therapy i.e. massage then there is a risk.

It's probably as interesting as you want to make it, though personally I've since realised that there are other job routes that I would probably have found as/more interesting, though that's a personal thing and I'm sure many people would say that of their qualification, after qualifying.

Not everyone will get better, that's life. But if you do your best then you can't do anymore.

Good luck with the decision!