ASOURCE Navi

The demand for rehabilitation is increasing due to the progress of the aging society, and the role played by physiotherapists is becoming more and more important. In recent years, in addition to hospitals and long-term care facilities, we have expanded the field of activity by providing exercise guidance that leads to preventive care and health promotion for the elderly. Before the day of physical therapy (July 17th), we summarized the work contents of physical therapists, how to acquire qualifications, places of activity, future potential, etc.

Physical therapists use exercise therapy and physical therapy under the direction of doctors for people with physical disabilities due to injuries or illnesses to restore or maintain basic movement ability. I am a rehabilitation specialist. Also known as PT (Physical Therapist).

Physical therapy is intended for all generations of disabilities, including accidents, illnesses, and disabilities due to stroke sequelae. Before rehabilitation, the patient's motor function and nerve function are examined. Based on the test results, we will create a rehabilitation program that suits the individual, and decide on treatment policies and goals after discussing with medical staff, mainly doctors. After that, it will proceed according to the program, but the center of physiotherapy will be exercise therapy. Exercise therapy includes range of motion exercise, muscle strengthening exercise, muscle endurance exercise, and balance exercise. Also, practice activities of daily living such as sitting, standing, and walking. In addition, physical therapy such as hyperthermia to warm the affected area or electrotherapy to stimulate with ultrasonic waves may be performed. Through these, we will teach you to live an independent life.

To become a physical therapist, you must acquire the necessary knowledge and skills at a training school for at least three years, take the national examination, pass it, and obtain a license. Training schools include 4-year colleges, junior colleges (3 years), and vocational schools (3 years, 4 years). The educational content of the training school consists of basic medicine such as anatomy, physiology, kinesiology, and pathology, clinical medicine, and social welfare, as well as physical therapy including clinical training at hospitals and rehabilitation centers.

The main workplaces are hospitals, clinics, rehabilitation centers, welfare centers for the disabled, outpatient facilities for children with disabilities, health and welfare centers, health facilities for the elderly, elderly care facilities, home-visit rehabilitation facilities, private fitness clubs, and professionals. For example, sports clubs. Recently, outside of hospitals and long-term care facilities, we are expanding the field of activity by giving lectures on gymnastics and exercise that lead to prevention of long-term care and health promotion for the elderly.

The number of physiotherapists employed in 2018 was 127,000, and the number of physiotherapists is increasing, with around 10,000 qualification holders being born every year, and there is concern that competition will progress in the future. Will be done. The Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare estimates that the supply of physiotherapists in 2040 will be about 1.5 times the demand. However, the aging rate of the population is expected to remain at a high level in the future, it is unlikely that demand related to long-term care will decrease, and it is expected that the number of people entering the health industry will increase. The demand for therapists will certainly exist.