As a physiotherapist, you could specialise in a particular area such as sports injuries, critical care, or work with the elderly, children or cancer patients. Teaching, research and management roles are other options. Physiotherapy can be helpful for people of all ages with a wide range of health conditions, including problems affecting the:

Research catalysed the physiotherapy movement. The first physiotherapy research was published in the United States in March 1921 in The PT Review. In the same year, Mary McMillan organised the Physical Therapy Association (now called the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA). In dry needling, your physiotherapist places fine acupuncture needles into specific points of your muscles, called ‘trigger points’. The aim of treatment is to relieve pain and tightness and improve movement. Taping If you need physiotherapy while you are in hospital the physiotherapist will come and see you on the ward. For physiotherapy treatment as an outpatient or home visits, your GP is usually the person who would arrange this.As a physiotherapist, you’ll focus on identifying and maximising movement to improve the health and wellbeing of your patients.

In some areas of the UK self-referral systems are in place, through which you can ask to see an NHS physiotherapist yourself, without waiting for a referral from your GP. Lando, Agneta (2003). "History of IFOMT". International Federation Orthopaedic Manipulative Therapists (IFOMT). http://www.ifomt.org/ifomt/about/history. Retrieved 2008-05-29. Understanding if your health-care professional applies evidence-based practice to their treatment will help you decide which therapist is right for you.

Larger organisations often have an in-house physio while smaller businesses may use the services of a local physiotherapy service.

However, in the long term, it doesn't equip you with the skills required to manage your condition. It may even result in over-reliance on your health-care professional and cost you more in the long run.

Must-have skills

Boyce D, Wempe H, Campbell C, et al. Adverse events associated with therapeutic dry needling. Int J Sports Phys Ther 2020; 15(1):103–13 I’d recommend asking around with friends and work colleagues for any personal recommendations. I always think that’s the best place to start. If you get no joy that way just google osteopaths near me etc and there’ll be dozens to choose from. Alternatively there is the official professional bodies: