Physiotherapy

[Shifty]

Having read the 'New Physio joins St Day' thread I feel I need to to inform everyone of an important issue.

The term 'Physiotherapist' or ' Physical Therapist' is now a protected title and only those on the HPC(Health Professions Council) register are legally able to call themselves one of these titles.

This has been introduced relatively recently after calls to regulate the profession, and prevent anybody with minimal or no qualifications calling themselves a 'Physio'.

The potential legal implication of this is possible prosecution and a fine of up to £5000.

The link for this info is: HPC Page. As you can see there are a number of other protected titles.

If you want to see if your 'Physiotherapist' at either your club or anywhere else is registered please use the HPC Register page.

I feel that it is important that clubs/managers etc are aware of this before advertising for or introducing 'first aiders etc' as Physiotherapists.

PS: I'd just like to add that at no time in the aforementioned thread has Sam Boston claimed to be a Physiotherapist and so has done no wrong.

[A One And A Six]

Im sure as you say that 'Physiotherapist' and 'Physical Therapist' are protected titles as you say but surely the shortened term 'Physio' isnt as it is short for words like 'Physiology' aswell.

I dont really see the harm in somebody helping out with injured players at a football club and being refered to as a 'Physio', regardless to whether they are trained physiotherapists or not?

:c:

[truros mr mourinho]

Im sure as you say that 'Physiotherapist' and 'Physical Therapist' are protected titles as you say but surely the shortened term 'Physio' isnt as it is short for words like 'Physiology' aswell.

I dont really see the harm in somebody helping out with injured players at a football club and being refered to as a 'Physio', regardless to whether they are trained physiotherapists or not?

i help out at truro,but i never call my self a physio,i was a trained ambulance man for over 3yrs ,so in match day incidents some times this is more help. :c:

[quiksilver]

The protection of certain titles/professions was introduced by the HPC to mainly regulate people claiming to be 'physiotherapists' who advertise in the yellow pages etc and who have only done a few sports injury courses.

Although i do know of a few first aiders in the leagues that do refer to themselves as physiotherapists despite not being qualified, but im sure they are not doing this to decieve people.

Also when looking for a physiotherapist ensure they are CSP (Chartered Society of Physiotherapy) registered or have MCSP after their name, as this ensures they have completed a three year physiotherapy degree. Physiotherapists who are members of CSP and HPC are very closely monitored and regulated.

[oldasitgets]

"Guy with the bucket and magic sponge" used to be a protected title until they discovered that there was actually little about a muddy sponge that was magical. Or homeopathy. And they do take a "degree". (So they call it)

[Guest Sam Boston]

Whilst I agree with what Shifty is saying about the regulation and clarification of job titles I feel that I am being used as a scapegoat in this matter and would like to point out that "physio" is a title that was used by Winno in the title of the thread and not one that I have ever encouraged. As I have already explained to Shifty one of the first things I point out to players is that I am NOT a physiotherapist, rather a specialist in sports injuries and their prevention, treatment and management. "Physio" is a term that has been used by local football teams for many years to describe "the guy in charge of first aid, ice packs and stuff" due to the lack of a better word but if anyone knows of a better term please let me know - until then I am more than happy to be referred to simply as "Sam" :D

[Shifty]

Didnt mean to stir anything up, just to let people know. I have also seen a couple of threads of clubs advertising for ohysios so it was not just the 'St Day' thread.

Those people such as Sam who help out at clubs for sports injury management are vital and I have no issue with that. I have in fact helped train a number of people on the FA Sports injury and Management courses, as I feel their role is important.

As a Physiotherapist, the intention is to protect our profession. It takes a 3 year full time degree course in Physiotherapy to achieve the title, and we did not want people who have done as little as a 6 week course calling themselves 'Physios'

one and a six - the problem arises if something goes wrong (as can happen to any of us) and the person has called themselves a physio. Sam has explained she clarifies her role to all players.

Oh, and if someone is calling themselves a Physio I think everyone assumes the same thing?

Also those Physios who have CSP membership are fully insured by their union.

[quiksilver]

I know of some clubs which refer to their 'physio' as a 'trainer' in the match day programme as an alternative to physio.

Good to hear people like shifty promoting the profession of physiotherapy, as physiotherapists we work hard to gain our degree and continue our professional development in order to keep our state regristration even after qualifying