Physical Therapy - A career worth pursuing?

A friend and myself are considering studying this next September with the sole ambition being setting up our own clinic, we are both hugely interested yes, but money is my main motivator.

Anyone know anyone doing it?

Bottom line, what's the money like for the majority of physical therapists? Is it hard to market it and attract clients assuming you are excellent at your job, passionate and intelligent? Mods, please feel free to move but I felt it would get the best response either here or in the athletics section.

RacoonQueen

There's a lot of qualified physiotherapists AND sports therapists out there who would be offering the same services as you, so there is a lot of competition out there. If you're setting up your own clinic, you wouldn't want money to be your motivator...not till you become more established anyway. These types of businesses can take a while to build up business and they generally become well known via word of mouth.

Roper

Hey I think you've summed up the problem with Physical/Physio in Ireland for sportspeople. There's a lot of clinics out there in which there are people who did a quick course and got a loan and bingo they're running clinics in their kitchen extension, and worse still calling themselves Sports Injury specialists.

If you want to do that then cool, but I reckon you'd be a class above if you did your course, then served your time doing a paid or unpaid position with a sports team or another physio, put in a lot of time with a lot of athletes and came out the far side a really good one rather than just someone who wanted their own business. You may even get more business and be able to charge more.

At the moment in my GPs surgery there's ads for no less than 6 physio or physical therapists and I wouldn't waste my money on one of them (I've been to most of them) with a sports injury any more complicated than an ingrown toenail.

I'd like to mix it up and do personal training along with it also to be honest with you. The course I'm talking about is the three year degree one in the priory clinic, I won't even attempt to do it unless I can be the best in my field. There are too many useless physios out there. I've experienced them.

Roper

Roper wrote: »

If you want to do that then cool, but I reckon you'd be a class above if you did your course, then served your time doing a paid or unpaid position with a sports team or another physio, put in a lot of time with a lot of athletes and came out the far side a really good one rather than just someone who wanted their own business. You may even get more business and be able to charge more.

How would I go about doing this? Contact clubs directly selling myself or would that be too arrogant?

Roper

Deleted User wrote: »

How would I go about doing this? Contact clubs directly selling myself or would that be too arrogant?

Show me a man who doesn't want to have a free helper. Internships are really common elsewhere, why not try it and learn by osmosis? I'm at that right now in another field. You get the experience of seeing the work and learning, he gets a free scivy. Everyone's a winner.

Roper

Roper wrote: »

Show me a man who doesn't want to have a free helper. Internships are really common elsewhere, why not try it and learn by osmosis? I'm at that right now in another field. You get the experience of seeing the work and learning, he gets a free scivy. Everyone's a winner.

How long would I do it for? Would definitely do it if it would improve and allow me to command more €€€€€

RacoonQueen

Deleted User wrote: »

How long would I do it for? Would definitely do it if it would improve and allow me to command more €€€€€

Well, generally the fee for a physio or sports therapist would be around 55 - maybe 70 euro, in Dublin anyway. What makes you think you'd ever be able to earn more than this?

mp1972

mp1972 wrote: »

Well, generally the fee for a physio or sports therapist would be around 55 - maybe 70 euro, in Dublin anyway. What makes you think you'd ever be able to earn more than this?

I know what the general fees are. Innovation is the key, that and leverage.

celestial

Deleted User wrote: »

I know what the general fees are. Innovation is the key, that and leverage.

In what sense do you mean innovation?

What I'd like someone to shed light on is what are the actual differences between all of these disciplines. Physical therapists, physiotherapists, sports massage therapists?

So let's take these three:

1. A physio who has done 4+ years study in college, i.e. a degree in physiotherapy at undergraduate level.

2. A graduate of physical therapy who has done say 3 years in a course.

3. Someone who has done a night/weekend course of perhaps 9 months duration in sports massage in an institute of complementary therapy.

I guess really it's not so much about how long you've studied as your actual level of skill in treating dysfunction, etc. But it seems like someone who has done an 18 month course in a complementary college would find it hard to compete with a fully qualified university taught physio?

I suspect that word of mouth, building up a client base, building up trust with clients and a reputation goes a long way in this business. So with that in mind, if you were considering a career in sports massage/sports injury treatment, which is the best course to choose??!

Lil' Smiler

Deleted User wrote: »

A friend and myself are considering studying this next September with the sole ambition being setting up our own clinic, we are both hugely interested yes, but money is my main motivator.

Anyone know anyone doing it?

Yes, I began doing the course in The Priory, it was tough, Unfortunately I had to leave due to family circumstances, and would maybe hope to pick it back up again.

The course
Part time, weekends, 2 weekends per month 9-6 Saturday, 9-5 Sunday. Lectures are long and tough.
Notes are put up online which you print off, study yourself during the week between lectures and then the class is meant to be for fine tuning things, going through say the anatomy you don't quite understand from reading the notes.

Lectures & Tutors
The tutors themselves are great. A mixed bunch of The owners of the Priory clinic, physical therapists who have worked for various different teams, work for themselves, in the priory clinic or osteopaths, physio's etc.

Clinical Experience
Aswell as classes, you are expected to attend the womens mini marathon and massage the ladys pre and post event.

There are also clinic blocks to do where you work in the Priory Clinic.

Monday, Wed, Fri evenings, 1 evening a week for 5 weeks in your block.

I think first year is 3 (of 5 weeks) blocks..which last year began going into the summer, june and july (saturday & sunday mornings).

Unfortunately for people not living in dublin (galway & limerick where course is also advertised), after 1st year you must do all of your clinics in Dublin. So we had people flying up from cork on a wednesday evening and going back down for work the next day. They are tough because they cut into your life hugely.

Clients book into the student clinic,are aware they are being treated by students who are also being grilled by their clinical supervisors at the same time. So the treatments are discounted for the clients.

1st Year - Observe, purely observe, can be a LONG 5 hours (if theres no clients in!)

2nd year - Observe and have some input into treatment of clients, get to treat if the client is coming in purely for a massage as u are qualified in massage by then.

3rd year - Treats the client

celestial wrote: »

In what sense do you mean innovation?

What I'd like someone to shed light on is what are the actual differences between all of these disciplines. Physical therapists, physiotherapists, sports massage therapists?

So let's take these three:

1. A physio who has done 4+ years study in college, i.e. a degree in physiotherapy at undergraduate level.

2. A graduate of physical therapy who has done say 3 years in a course.

3. Someone who has done a night/weekend course of perhaps 9 months duration in sports massage in an institute of complementary therapy.

I guess really it's not so much about how long you've studied as your actual level of skill in treating dysfunction, etc. But it seems like someone who has done an 18 month course in a complementary college would find it hard to compete with a fully qualified university taught physio?

I suspect that word of mouth, building up a client base, building up trust with clients and a reputation goes a long way in this business. So with that in mind, if you were considering a career in sports massage/sports injury treatment, which is the best course to choose??!

In my experience to have a mixture of diplomas/qualifications is best. I have my diplomas in Holistic & Complimentary Therapies so have diplomas in 7 different massage disciplines.

People often ask what is the difference between physiotherapy and Physical Therapy. For PT, it is that it is a more "hands on" treatment and also more holistic orientated, thinking about what else in the clients life could be causing say a sore shoulder (stress, the way they sleep, walk, lie all that sorta stuff).

OP, I would have to say that if you intend to keep up a full time job and study for it, it will be tough. It really does eat into your life, so be prepared for that.

I wouldn't go in with the expectation of finishing your 3 year degree with IPTAS and thinking you will be able to start up a business straight away and the clients will come flying in - believe me they won't! But at the same time, luckily for you you might have the support of your friend if you are going into it together.

Fees wise, it's €5,100 for 1st year and then you'll spend between 300 and 500 on books, massage table, uniform, stuff like that.

RacoonQueen

Deleted User wrote: »

I know what the general fees are. Innovation is the key, that and leverage.

That doesn't answer my question...

mp1972

mp1972 wrote: »

That doesn't answer my question...

Do you want me to specifically say what I have thought up that I think may separate me from the thousands of other physios/physical therapists out there?

No can do. That would be stupid even if my idea do/don't work.

Rogueish

All I can do is wish you good luck. I'm ten years on from where you are starting now and you're gonna be in for a huge wake up call. I have completed my study, set up my own clinic with my business partner, both of us have gone on to further study and specialisation and we are doing pretty good. I love my job and wouldn't change it but getting here hasn't been easy.

You say that money is your main motivator but you haven't even started the course and already you are counting your money. How do you know that you are going to like the course or have an aptitude for people? Have you done a work placement or completed some observational work experience? Do you like the hands on approach of physical therapy or is it the business end that gets your juices going?

When you are working on and with a person and you have an attitude that you are in it for the money and not for the person or what you can do for them it comes across. That client is looking for a person and not a wallet centered approach to their problem.

I've picked up on a few things and maybe right or wrong in my assessment and if I am wrong excuse me.

You mentioned working with teams. Thats great. Have you considered the income that can be generated from that one team. What way will you be working with that team? Are you going to attend training sessions or will you be taking players on a per treatment basis? Have you considered how many teams you can take on at the same time and in what capacity..What is the duration of their season etc....

The income generated from a team is not as great as you might think. Another consideration is the hours? If you are working with teams attending matches and training sessions many nights you will not be finished training until 10pm. Away matches can take up to a full day depending on where they are travelling to etc. weekends during the season can be eaten up by training sessions and matches. Consider how important do you need a social life or summer holidays.

You are hoping to combine it with some personal training. What kind of personal training? General or do you wish to specialise. Are you hoping that you will be a one stop shop for athletes insofar as you can become a trainer too. If so do you understand the physiological and skill needs of that sport.

On an aside note: Do you have plans for the size of the facility that you might need. Are you going to use another established gym or do you plan on having your own facility? If you are going to get into the area of rehabilitating injured athletes you may need to do some further study / courses into end stage and performance rehabilitation. Personal training no the physical therapy courses don't quite cover it.

I have no doubt that you have the intelligence and the drive to do well in anything that you do. However experience in this profession is the key. You will not come straight out of study and make €€€€€€. You will make mistakes and have bad therapist weeks and good therapist days, eventually you will turn it around.

You sound to be far more business orientated than people orientated and maybe it will be there that you find your strengths. However that may be because you are trying a marketing research exercise here.

But good luck but before you jump in use that business brain to really price out your expectations and the realities of the job. 'Leverage' or no you will need to be really good at your job to make it.

Send me a PM if you want to dispute/discuss anything I have said or would like some further info.

Rogueish

Rogueish wrote: »

All I can do is wish you good luck. I'm ten years on from where you are starting now and you're gonna be in for a huge wake up call. I have completed my study, set up my own clinic with my business partner, both of us have gone on to further study and specialisation and we are doing pretty good. I love my job and wouldn't change it but getting here hasn't been easy.

You say that money is your main motivator but you haven't even started the course and already you are counting your money. How do you know that you are going to like the course or have an aptitude for people? Have you done a work placement or completed some observational work experience? Do you like the hands on approach of physical therapy or is it the business end that gets your juices going?

When you are working on and with a person and you have an attitude that you are in it for the money and not for the person or what you can do for them it comes across. That client is looking for a person and not a wallet centered approach to their problem.

I've picked up on a few things and maybe right or wrong in my assessment and if I am wrong excuse me.

You mentioned working with teams. Thats great. Have you considered the income that can be generated from that one team. What way will you be working with that team? Are you going to attend training sessions or will you be taking players on a per treatment basis? Have you considered how many teams you can take on at the same time and in what capacity..What is the duration of their season etc....

The income generated from a team is not as great as you might think. Another consideration is the hours? If you are working with teams attending matches and training sessions many nights you will not be finished training until 10pm. Away matches can take up to a full day depending on where they are travelling to etc. weekends during the season can be eaten up by training sessions and matches. Consider how important do you need a social life or summer holidays.

You are hoping to combine it with some personal training. What kind of personal training? General or do you wish to specialise. Are you hoping that you will be a one stop shop for athletes insofar as you can become a trainer too. If so do you understand the physiological and skill needs of that sport.

On an aside note: Do you have plans for the size of the facility that you might need. Are you going to use another established gym or do you plan on having your own facility? If you are going to get into the area of rehabilitating injured athletes you may need to do some further study / courses into end stage and performance rehabilitation. Personal training no the physical therapy courses don't quite cover it.

I have no doubt that you have the intelligence and the drive to do well in anything that you do. However experience in this profession is the key. You will not come straight out of study and make €€€€€€. You will make mistakes and have bad therapist weeks and good therapist days, eventually you will turn it around.

You sound to be far more business orientated than people orientated and maybe it will be there that you find your strengths. However that may be because you are trying a marketing research exercise here.

But good luck but before you jump in use that business brain to really price out your expectations and the realities of the job. 'Leverage' or no you will need to be really good at your job to make it.

Send me a PM if you want to dispute/discuss anything I have said or would like some further info.

Thank you very much for your response, I greatly appreciate it and respect it.

I'll pm you anyway as I would love to pick your brain as I do have other questions for you. I am very business orientated but I am an excellent communicator also and like dealing with people and have no problem dealing with people. If I'm going to be honest, I would dislike the part where I am dealing with elderly people but am currently unsure if this is a frequent event?

I also know what to expect from the course as I have borrowed the course books to read them and understand them as best as I can to see if the course is for me and I can definitely say it is what I want to do. My love of sports and the gym is my main motivator for wanting to do this course. I also pretty much know every muscle in the body to begin with due to my passion for working out, so the theory I read, I can relate to practically. I have also gone for treatment by both Physios and Physical Therapists and know the fundamental differences and what to expect...

Anyway, I'll definitely PM you tomorrow when I have more time, I gotta get some sleep for work but thanks for the reply