Physiotherapy can be useful in treating a broad range of conditions, ranging from minor injuries to chronic problems which require long-term treatment and management. As a result, physiotherapy assistants can expect to deal with countless different kinds of ailments throughout their careers, as they apply their skills under the supervision of a physiotherapist in a diverse range of settings including hospitals, rehabilitation centres, and specialized clinics.

While this can be challenging, and requires a breadth of different medical knowledge and skills, it is part of what makes being a physiotherapy assistant such an interesting and rewarding role. Curious about what kind of conditions you could be faced with during your career? Here are just a few of the most common.

1. Professionals with Physiotherapy Assistant Training Help Treat Arthritis

A condition which is estimated to affect over 20 per cent of the Canadian population, arthritis is the inflammation of one or more joints in the body. There are many different forms of arthritis, such as osteoarthritis—a degenerative condition which occurs as a result of gradual wear and tear of the cartilage between joints—and inflammatory arthritis—which is an autoimmune disorder that causes the body to attack its own tissues.

Arthritis can cause severe long-term pain, decreased mobility, stiffness, and swelling. Professionals with physiotherapy assistant training can play a vital role in assisting physiotherapists help those with arthritis by assisting patients with common rehabilitation exercises.

2. Physiotherapy can Be Very Effective in Helping Patients Manage Lower Back Pain

Lower back pain is becoming increasingly common in today’s society, and can affect people from all walks of life. Office workers often develop back issues by sitting in the same position all day long, which causes their spinal discs to degenerate over time. Professionals with more physically demanding jobs can also be at a higher risk of suffering lower back injuries, due to continuous strain and improper lifting techniques.

Physiotherapy assistants working under the direction of physiotherapists are often heavily involved in the rehabilitation process for individuals with lower back pain, which can include many different rehabilitation exercises.

3. Physiotherapy Assistants Working in Sports Often Deal with Achilles Tendonitis

Students who hope to work in sports medicine clinics after completing physiotherapy assistant courses can expect a number of specific injuries to crop up time and again. One of the most common issues seen in this line of work is Achilles tendonitis, which is an overuse injury caused by the inflammation of the tendon connecting the heel to the calf muscle.

Achilles tendonitis frequently occurs in runners and other athletes, and symptoms can include ankle pain, stiffness, and visible thickening of the tendon. Physiotherapy professionals will usually prescribe various stretching and lengthening exercises to help patients manage the condition.

4. Graduates of Physiotherapy Assistant Courses Play a Crucial Role in Post-Op Recovery

Recovering from major surgical procedures like hip replacements, knee replacements, and knee ligament reconstruction can be a long and challenging process for patients. They will usually have to undergo many months of physical therapy and rehabilitation in order to heal completely and regain a full range of motion in the affected area.

For physiotherapy assistants, this can often be one of the areas in which their skills and assistance is most useful. Patients recovering from surgery frequently experience mobility issues and extreme discomfort, as well as issues such as swelling and skin adhesions. Having a trained professional to assist with basic mobility, rehabilitation exercises, and the use of assistive devices and equipment can make a world of difference to their wellbeing, and help them to work positively towards a quick recovery.

Looking for a physiotherapy assisting program in Ontario?

Contact Medix College to learn more about our new course in Scarborough!

Physiotherapy Assistant College Will Make You an Expert in Critical Skills & Knowledge

Physiotherapy assistant programs offer a great deal of variety as part of training. Students learn interesting facts about functional anatomy, how to communicate with clients, the fundamentals of physiotherapy, and much more. This diverse and interesting material forms the foundation of effective client care under the supervision of a physiotherapist, making all of it critical to master.

Completing physiotherapy assistant training at a reputable college will ensure that you master all of the skills employers expect of new physiotherapy assistants. With small class sizes and instructors eager to help students achieve their goals, you can expect this environment to provide you with deep understanding and strong ability that will serve you well throughout your career.

Great Physiotherapy Assistant Training Programs Include a Clinical Placement

A career as a physiotherapy assistant will typically include a great deal of hands-on work with clients. In the workplace, it’s typical for physiotherapy assistants to complete tasks like providing care to clients under the supervision of a physiotherapist, helping with prescribed exercise programs, and assisting clients with reduced mobility in navigating the treatment floor. Enrolling at a physiotherapy assistant college that offers both theoretical and practical training is an important part of preparing for these kinds of professional demands. In addition, to gain the greatest benefit, it’s best to seek out a college that will also offer the chance to gain workplace experience as part of your education.

A program that includes a clinical placement will allow you to get a feel for what it is like actually working as a physiotherapy assistant, and can help you develop your capacity to work alongside other professionals in your field. It’s a great way to test and refine abilities developed in class, and also provides you with valuable experience to include on your resume. Both for your own development and as a way to impress potential employers, it is difficult to overstate the value a training program with a work placement can offer.

Prepare for a Physiotherapy Assistant Career Your Way

Enrolling in training to become a physiotherapy assistant may seem like a daunting prospect, but it doesn’t need to be. Choosing a college that offers short and focused programs, or a college that gives you the choice of multiple campuses to attend, can make it easier to manage your commute as well as any personal or professional responsibilities you may have.

Medix College offers the best of both worlds, with six campuses to choose from in Southern Ontario and a typical time requirement of just four hours of class time per day. Whether you have an ongoing career, a family to care for, or any other responsibilities, enrolling in physiotherapy assistant training at a college like Medix can help you complete your studies on your own terms.

Do you want to set yourself on the path to a rewarding and stable career?

Contact Medix College to begin preparing for a physiotherapy assistant career!