Courses In Physiotherapy

As a profession, physiotherapy can be defined as a science that seeks to alleviate movement dysfunction to promote optimal health and proper functioning of the human body. Physiotherapy is a science that is used to cure weak muscles, difficulties in the movement of shoulder and knee joints, paralysis, inborn and acquired deformities, gynecological ailments and other similar disorders. Patients who have such problems are visit physiotherapists who then take on the responsibility of restoring them to health. It is also a preventive and remedial procedure used as a supplement with oral medicines.

Who can opt for Physiotherapy?

All those students who have a science background are eligible to take up a course in physiotherapy. One should have a B.Sc. degree to become a practicing physiotherapist or be employed as a professional in a hospital or clinic.
The basic eligibility criterion for a course in physiotherapy is 10+2 passed or equivalent examination with physics, chemistry, biology and English as subjects. A student should have secured at least 50% marks in each of these subjects. Minimum age limit for the candidates is 17 years.
What is the Selection Procedure?
The admission to physiotherapy institutes is through an entrance examination. Admission to BPT program is generally made on the basis of entrance examination conducted both at state and national level. A Common Entrance Test (CET) is conducted for the course in Bachelor of Physiotherapy (BPT) and admission is based on CET scores.
Course Details:

Courses in physiotherapy are Bachelor of Physiotherapy (BPT) and Master of Physiotherapy (MPT). After the completion of the course, it is compulsory to take up internship. After pursuing BPT, one who wishes to continue his/her study further can take admission into Master of Physiotherapy (MPT) program which like all other post graduate programs has two years duration. Those students who have completed BPT course from any recognized institute/university are eligible for this program.
What is the Duration?
There are both degree level and short-term courses available in physiotherapy but not all of them are recognized by the government. Bachelors Degree courses in physiotherapy generally range from 3 to 4 years.
These courses have been designed to give the students a basic understanding of the human body, based on medical sciences and training in understanding the procedures for therapy. The major part of a physiotherapy course in practical in nature including an internship period where aspiring students work under the supervision of professionals at various hospitals and institutions.
Personal Attributes of a student:
To get a job as a physiotherapist, a student should have excellent interpersonal skills because it is very people oriented. If you want to become a reputed physiotherapist, you need to have an above average analytical and logical reasoning skill, scientific reasoning and problem solving skill, ability to memorize and recall scientific facts, manual dexterity and physical stamina to work long hours, patience and understanding of people, a empathetic approach towards the patients, a keen desire to help people live their normal lives. Besides this, an aspiring physiotherapist must be level headed to deal with emergencies in work conditions, strength of mind and purpose, team spirit, good observation power, ability to instill confidence and courage in patients. These attributes along with a thorough knowledge of the human anatomy will make you a successful physiotherapist.
Institutes offering physiotherapy courses:

Some institutes offering physiotherapy courses are:
Chennai -SRM University, Meenakshi University, Sri Ramachandra University, Saveetha University, King Institute of Preventive Medicine, C L Baid Metha College of Pharmacy, M A Chidambaram College of Nursing
Kolkata The Open International University for Alternative Medicines, National Institute for the Orthopaediaclly Handicapped, Paramedical College
Pune Hardikar College of Physiotherapy (Department of Health & Science), M. A. Rangoonwala College of Physiotherapy and Research, Tilak Maharashtra University, State Institute of Education University of Pune
Bangalore Garden City College, Dayananda, Sagar Institutions, Goutham College, Padamshree Group of Institutions, Acharya Institute of Health and Sciences, Bangalore Medical College Rajiv Gandhi University of Health and Sciences
Hyderabad Nizams Institute of Medical Sciences, Clinnovo Research Labs, Deccan College of Medical Sciences, Kakatiya Medical College NTR University of Health Sciences
Delhi-NCR Jamia Millia Islamia, SRM University, Jamia Hamdard, Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University, Institute of Applied Medicines and Research, Sujok Association of India, Faridabad Institute of Technology
Mumbai - Institute for Psychotherapy and Management Sciences (IPMS), All Institute of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, MGM University of Health Sciences, Smt Kapilal Khandwala College of Education

Few useful links:
www.shiksha.com
http://medicine.shiksha.com/getCategoryPage/colleges/medicine/All/All/Physiotherapy