Physical Therapies
Physical therapies cover treatments that very broadly focus on movement.
Practitioners usually work with their clients either in private practice or as part of the NHS. Within sports there is the opportunity to be employed either by a team or to focus on athletes from a specific field.
Profiles
Follow the links below for profiles of common occupations in this sector:
Chiropractor
British Chiropractic Association (BCA) - represents many internationally accredited UK chiropractors. The site has a section on education and training and a searchable database of practitioners.
General Chiropractic Council (GCC) - is the regulatory body for the industry. It sets education standards and promotes the profession. The site has a section on professional education and development and a database of practitioners.
Osteopath
British Osteopathic Association (BOA) - is the largest professional association for osteopaths in the UK. The website contains a searchable database of osteopaths in the UK.
General Osteopathic Council (GOsC)- provides for the regulation of the profession of osteopathy. The site has a good overview and links to qualified therapists.
Physiotherapist
Chartered Society of Physiotherapists (CSP) - is the professional, educational and trade union for the UK’s chartered physiotherapists, physiotherapy students and assistants. The site has a very useful, detailed careers and training information.
Association of Chartered Physiotherapists in Animal Therapy ( ACPAT) - is a professional body for chartered physiotherapists who have first completed their training to work with human patients and have then gone on to undertake further study to work with animals. The site includes a good career information section.
Podiatrist/Chiropodist
Institute of Chiropodists and Podiatrists (IOCP) - professional organisation for those working in the area of foot care. The website has information on training and also advertises vacancies.
Society of Chiropodists and Podiatrists (SCP) - their "Feet for Life" public information site offers detailed information on careers in this field, including scope of practice, schools of podiatry, employment opportunities, working environments, training to be a podiatrist and continuing professional development.
Sports therapist
British Association of Sports Rehabilitators and Therapists ( BASRaT) - a member's organisation, representing the professionals working in the field of sports therapy. The website includes details about the role of a graduate sports rehabilitator and training information.
Society of Sports Therapists (SST) - a member's organisation, with interests in education and professional practice in the field of Sports Therapy. Student membership is available.
Sports Therapy Organisation - a professional body for sports therapists and sport massage practitioners and for those using their services. There is some information on getting experience in this relatively new occupational area.
Other useful links
Health Professions Council - statutory regulator of chiropodists & podiatrists and physiotherapists. The website includes a database of Health Professions Council approved courses.
This article was published on Sep 19, 2011