What is the role of a physical therapist in rehabilitation? Steps to obtain qualification | column | 日常で気軽に実践できる片麻痺のリハビリ方法や機能を低下させない生活習慣などを解説

Physiotherapists are professionals who help patients recover their physical functions and play an important role in rehabilitation, which is the process of recovering from injury, illness or disability, and physiotherapists support patients through a variety of methods, including therapeutic exercise, physical therapy and heat therapy.

The primary role of a physiotherapist is to help patients regain the motor functions they need to live independently, by providing individualized programs to improve muscle strength, range of motion, balance, and walking ability.

Primary Roles of Physiotherapists

Physiotherapists work with doctors, nurses, and occupational therapists to propose the best treatment for patients and monitor their progress. Another important task is to conduct continuous evaluations to understand the progress of rehabilitation for patients. The table below lists the basic roles of physiotherapists and their descriptions.

Physiotherapists not only provide physical treatment, but also provide psychological support to patients and create an environment in which patients can work on their rehabilitation with peace of mind. Another important role is to maintain motivation and help patients become independent.

Physical Therapist Treatment Methods

Physiotherapists use a combination of different modalities depending on the patient's condition and needs. These may include exercise therapy, physical therapy, heat and cold therapy, etc. The table below provides an overview of each modality and its purpose.

Exercise therapy

Exercise therapy is one of the most common treatments used by physical therapists, and involves providing patients with an exercise program to mobilize and strengthen their joints and muscles in order to restore physical function, including gait training, strength training, and stretching to increase flexibility.

Physical therapy

Physiotherapy is a treatment that involves applying physical stimulation to the patient's body to relieve pain, relax muscles, and improve blood circulation. It includes electrotherapy, ultrasound therapy, heat therapy, and cold therapy.

Heat and cold therapy

Heat therapy is used to increase blood flow and relax muscles, while cold therapy is used to reduce inflammation and swelling, both of which are particularly effective in the treatment of acute and sports injuries.

Physiotherapists use a combination of different treatments, such as exercise therapy, physical therapy, and heat and cold therapy, to help patients recover. They create individual rehabilitation plans to help patients regain physical function and return to daily life.

In order to work as a physical therapist, one is first required to receive specialized education and pass a national examination. Physical therapists are a profession that requires highly specialized knowledge and skills to help patients recover their functions, and a certain level of education and training is essential to obtain the qualifications.

Required educational qualifications and qualifications

To become a physiotherapist, you need the following educational qualifications:

1. Training courses for physical therapists are offered at vocational schools and universities . Generally, students go on to a three-year vocational school or a four-year university to learn basic knowledge and practical skills in physical therapy. At these educational institutions, students comprehensively learn anatomy, kinesiology, clinical training, and rehabilitation theory and techniques.
2. Graduation Requirements To graduate from a vocational school or university, you must earn a certain number of credits. This includes not only academic classes but also practical training, where you will learn the skills necessary to become a physical therapist while interacting with actual patients.
3. Eligibility to take the national examTo work as a physical therapist, you must pass the national exam. This exam evaluates whether the knowledge and skills you have learned are applicable to the workplace, and in addition to the written exam, a practical exam is also conducted. In order to take the national exam, you must complete the curriculum set by a vocational school or university.

Overview of the National Physical Therapist Examination and Passing Criteria

The national physical therapist examination is held every year across the country. This exam is quite difficult because it comprehensively evaluates the knowledge and skills required to be a physical therapist.

• Exam ContentThe exam is divided into two sections: written and practical. The written exam covers anatomy, physiology, pathology, rehabilitation techniques, etc., while the practical exam evaluates the treatments and procedures you perform on actual patients. The practical exam checks your ability to communicate with patients, create rehabilitation plans, and assess physical function.
• Passing criteriaThe passing criteria is to get high scores on both the written and practical exams. Specifically, you need to get 70% or more correct answers on the written exam, and the practical exam requires a similarly high level. Also, in order to pass the exam, it is important to know how to put the theory you have learned into practice. Therefore, you are required to accurately demonstrate the knowledge and skills you have acquired through practical training in the exam.

To start a career as a physical therapist, it is important to acquire the necessary skills while studying at a vocational school or university. However, tuition fees are often expensive, so you need to consider the cost when deciding to go to college. Let's take a closer look at the tuition fees and how to study to become a physical therapist.

Tuition fees and learning methods when studying at a university or vocational school

To become a physiotherapist, there are two general educational institutions that you can attend:

1. Vocational schools Vocational schools that train physical therapists usually offer a three-year course. Tuition fees for studying at a vocational school are generally around 600,000 to 1,000,000 yen per year. Vocational schools emphasize not only theoretical learning, but also clinical training in which you actually interact with patients. Through practical training, you can connect theory and practice and learn the basic skills of a physical therapist.
2. Universities that train physical therapists offer four-year courses, and tuition fees generally range from 800,000 to 1.5 million yen per year. At universities, students are provided with many opportunities to study not only specialized subjects, but also research and the latest technology. Another attraction of universities is that, in addition to the depth of their studies, students can learn more advanced physical therapy techniques.

Points to consider when choosing a school and excellent educational institutions

If you want to become a physical therapist, choosing the right school is important. The following points should be emphasized when choosing a school.

1. To practice as a physical therapist, it is essential to have clinical training where you learn in front of actual patients. When choosing a school, it is a good idea to choose one that has a wide range of training facilities and where you can learn in the field where a variety of illnesses are treated.
2. Curriculum content: Physical therapists are professionals with a wide range of knowledge, so there is a wide range of content to learn. Make sure the curriculum offered by the school allows you to thoroughly learn the basic techniques and theories of physical therapy.
3. It is important to check whether the school has a system in place to support students in finding employment so that they can find work smoothly after their studies. It is important to check whether the school has strong ties with employers and regularly provides job information.

Physical therapists work in a wide variety of facilities, and their places of employment are diverse. Primary places of employment include hospitals, clinics, rehabilitation facilities, and nursing homes. Although the roles required at each facility are different, they all share the important role of supporting the recovery of patients and improving their quality of life.

The table below summarises the main roles of physical therapists at each facility.

Although the condition of patients and the treatment they receive will vary depending on where a physical therapist works, in all environments they are expected to work with the aim of "helping patients recover and improve their lives."

The primary role of a physiotherapist is to provide rehabilitation to help patients recover. This involves using exercise therapy and physical therapy to restore the patient's physical functions. They also assess the patient's condition, create an optimal rehabilitation plan for the individual, and provide ongoing follow-up. Let's take a closer look at the skill set and qualifications required for a physiotherapist.

1. The rehabilitation provided to patients by physical therapists mainly includes the following:
• Exercise therapy: Specific exercises and gymnastics are performed to restore physical function. The purpose is to restore joint range of motion, strengthen muscles, and improve balance and walking ability. Exercise therapy is individually adjusted according to the patient's physical strength and condition.
• Physical therapy uses physical means such as electricity, heat, and cold to reduce pain and improve blood flow. Electrical therapy and heat therapy are used to release muscle tension and reduce inflammation.
• Gait training and balance training Gait training is provided to patients to help them regain their walking ability. Balance training to prevent falls is also an important part of rehabilitation. Improving balance is especially important for elderly people and post-stroke patients.

1. Professional skills and qualifications required for a physical therapistPhysiotherapists must have specialized knowledge and skills. The following skills and qualifications are required to work as a physical therapist.
• Knowledge of anatomy and kinesiology Physiotherapists must have a deep understanding of the structure and function of the human body. In order to select a treatment method that is tailored to the patient's symptoms, they need specialized knowledge of the movement of the skeleton, muscles, and joints.
• Rehabilitation skills Because rehabilitation is highly technical, you will need to master a wide range of skills, including strengthening muscles, improving range of motion, and managing pain. In particular, you will need the ability to create individualized plans for each patient.
• To become a nationally qualified physical therapist, you must pass the national examination. This examination tests a wide range of knowledge about physical therapy and includes a practical exam and a written exam. Having a national qualification is an element that increases your credibility.
• Communication skillsExcellent communication skills are required to build a trusting relationship with patients and provide effective treatment.You need the skills to accurately understand the patient's symptoms and the level of pain, and to properly instruct them on subsequent treatment methods.

A career as a physical therapist is a very rewarding profession that supports the recovery of patients and plays an important role in the medical field. However, the path to becoming a physical therapist requires a lot of preparation and effort. In particular, to obtain qualifications, you need to study at a vocational school and undergo practical training, and you are also required to pass an actual national examination.

To be successful as a physical therapist, you need to continue learning even after you have obtained your qualification. To be successful in the industry, you need to deepen your specialized knowledge and be prepared to provide optimal rehabilitation for each patient. There is also a lot of attention being paid to annual income and job stability, and you can expect to increase your income by improving your skills and working in your specialty.

Furthermore, physical therapists have the opportunity to try out a variety of different fields as they advance in their careers. One of the attractions is being able to choose a career path that matches your interests, such as the sports field or elderly rehabilitation.

For those who want to become a physical therapist, it is important to have a clear understanding of the steps to obtain the qualifications, the necessary skills, and the mindset required for success, and to approach the job with a positive attitude. Use the information introduced in this article as a reference to build your career as a physical therapist.

Power Assist Series Supports Hemiplegia Rehabilitation - LAP Corporation

LAP Corporation has developed and provides the Power Assist Series to support rehabilitation at home for people with hemiplegia due to cerebral infarction or accidents. This series is a robot that uses air pressure to gently move paralyzed joints in the fingers, ankles, and wrists to assist rehabilitation training. It can be easily used at home, enabling continuous rehabilitation. The product lineup includes the Power Assist Hand for fingers, the Power Assist Leg for ankles, and the Power Assist Wrist for wrists, and is compatible with the rehabilitation of each part of the body. Through these rehabilitation assistance robots, we will contribute to the recovery of function and improvement of the quality of life of everyone.

LAP Co., Ltd.
address	2-1-40 Oikawa, Atsugi City, Kanagawa Prefecture, 243-0212
phone	046-204-9343

inquiry

Q. How much will I earn per year if I work as a physical therapist?
A. The average annual income of a physical therapist is said to be about 4 million yen, but it varies greatly depending on the specialty and the hospital or facility where they work. For example, sports-related facilities and hospitals specializing in rehabilitation tend to have higher annual incomes. By honing their skills and gaining experience, it is possible to earn an annual income of 5 million yen or more.

Q. What are the ways for physical therapists to advance their careers?
A. To advance your career as a physical therapist, it is important to choose a specialization and deepen your skills. For example, obtaining a specialist qualification in the field of sports rehabilitation or elderly rehabilitation will lead to career advancement. You can also aim for a managerial position or become independent and provide home rehabilitation services.

Q. What mindset does one need to have to be a successful physical therapist?
A. To be successful as a physical therapist, it is important to put the recovery of each patient first and to have passion and perseverance. In addition, you are required to have an attitude of constantly learning and to improve your expertise in order to provide the best treatment for your patients. Building a trusting relationship with your patients is also the key to success.

Company name: LAP Co., Ltd.
Location: 2-1-40 Oikawa, Atsugi City, Kanagawa Prefecture, 243-0212
Telephone number: 046-204-9343