Bored studying physio

[sarahleeandrews]

yes i'm in australia, the worst part is that on my pracs i've watched what the physios do and it seems so mundane, is private practice more what i'm looking for ?

erm, could be, depends what you are really interested in. I have done a sports massage qualification which includes techniques that can be used more in private practise. Doing that course was the turning point for me, as it was everything hands on I thought previously I would be learning on the physio course. There would also be more opportunity if it is therapeutic exercise you are interested to do pilates or yoga or tai chi style classes or assess for individualised exercises. I think you have just got to think that time is limited and that these techniques are all about rehabilitating someone, to allow them to prevent being injured or ill again, which takes a lot of time! What I learned on my course is more about overseeing and assisting with someone's safe recovery from injury/illness, rather than teaching them how to be maximally fit and healthy.

Both are interesting, challenging jobs, it just depends where your heart lies. For me, I wanted to help people be the best they can be, as I do not like seeing people get ill and injured again and again, as so many do with chronic illness. I didn't find the practical work on my course boring, I just feel in my heart that it was not fulfilling quite what I envisioned the role of the physiotherapist to be. Physiotherapist means natural therapies in Greek I was told, and so many therapies used within hospitals I do not feel really fit into this. I mean physiotherapy began after all through the use of massage, and now it is not taught on all courses. I hate to say it, but things must be going slightly backwards. Perhaps this is necessary for reasons beyond my understanding, but right now, I see lots of other alternative therapists/body workers out there doing what I thought I would be learning as a physio. Nurses and care assistants can walk people, and suction people, and they can give advice on recovery times. Where is the specialist role of the physio? Neurological rehab is another area of interest of mine, as the need to understand natural movement is very important and I feel this is the strongest area of the physio atm.

[Fyzzio]

Nurses and care assistants can walk people, and suction people, and they can give advice on recovery times. Where is the specialist role of the physio?

?? Could you explain this please?
Do you feel the role of Physio, never mind Specialist Physio, is to walk people, suction people or give advise on recovery times?

If I take someone for a walk then it is to assess or review their walking; if I suction someone then it is because I have just managed to free copious amounts of sputum; if I give advise, it is not solely confined to recovery times and I would not want a care worker to advise on this either.

I think I know what you mean, but it might pay for others if you explain statements like that a bit further. :-)

Cheers, Fyzzio