Alternative Career Options For Physiotherapists

While a career in physiotherapy can be incredibly fulfilling, it’s not for everyone, and some physiotherapists may find themselves seeking new challenges or career paths that use their existing skill set in different ways.

Here we'll review alternative career options for physiotherapists who are looking to build upon their expertise, gain a work-life balance or even earn more money. Whether you're craving a change of pace or seeking a whole new perspective on your career journey, we've got you covered.

What we’ll cover

• Why physiotherapists may consider a career change
• Alternative career options for physiotherapists
• Revitalise your physiotherapy career with UNTIL

If you’re thinking about a career change from physiotherapy, you’re not alone. These are just some of the reasons you might be seeking a new path.

Burnout

For physiotherapists who work in a hospital setting, burnout can be a real issue. This is for many reasons, including the high workload many have to deal with. Physiotherapists in hospitals likely have numerous patients to see and treat each day and the demand for their services is constantly on the rise. Many of these patients are often in a state of distress or serious pain, so there’s a danger of compassion fatigue adding to the sense of burnout physios already face.

Plus, there’s the added pressure to meet productivity targets and achieve positive outcomes for their patients. Unlike self-employed physiotherapists, those who work in hospitals have to follow certain rules and adhere to certain standards and treatments. This pressure can cause stress and anxiety to build up, especially when physios are forced to deal with complex cases and limited resources.

Work-life balance

Physios are often required to work long shifts of 12+ hours, including evenings, weekends and public holidays. Any work that’s not completed during those hours might have to be brought home, eating into yet more of physios’ personal time. It’s no surprise that irregular working hours, a reduced ability to socialise with friends and family and a lack of consistent breaks can take a toll on their wellbeing.

Couple this with a lack of clear role structure, the amount of paperwork and admin physios have to deal with, and the lack of support from overworked managers, and it’s easy to see why physios might seek a career change.

Specialisation opportunities

While many physiotherapists might start their careers treating a wide range of issues, some go on to discover their niche. You may have a personal interest in a particular area of practice that you want to specialise in, such as neurology, paediatrics, orthopaedics, cardiovascular, or physical therapy.

Certain people might have an interest in helping those who have suffered a heart attack reclaim their lives and get back to normality. Or, they may find the complexity of neurological conditions fascinating, enjoy working with children, or be particularly enthusiastic about sports medicine. We’re all different, and through the course of studying and working, it’s common to develop a passion for one area within the field of physiotherapy.

Plus, specialising in a specific area allows physiotherapists to deepen their knowledge, skills, and expertise within that domain. They may choose to undergo advanced training, certifications, or postgraduate education to become specialists in their area of work. Doing so can increase their effectiveness and impact as healthcare providers, establishing their position as an expert in that niche.

Economic factors

It’s true that economic factors such as stagnant wages and limited job prospects in certain geographic areas can significantly impact physios’ desire to look for an alternative career. This is particularly evident now, given the cost of living crisis in the UK.

Some physiotherapists might live in areas with a high cost of living, where their wages may not match their expenses, making it difficult to make ends meet. Physios in this scenario might find it challenging to afford housing, healthcare, education, and other essentials, leading them to seek alternative employment opportunities in industries that tend to pay higher salaries.

The good news is that if you’re desperate for a career change from physiotherapy, the skills you’ve learned along the way can be easily transferred to different roles and industries. Here are some alternative career options for physiotherapists.

Self-employment

Pivoting to self-employment is an attractive prospect for many physiotherapists, not least because of the flexibility and freedom it offers. Self-employed physios can manage their own client base and tailor their services to meet the needs of their target market. They’re empowered to develop personalised treatment plans, build long-term client relationships and  offer specialised services – all of which lead to enhanced patient satisfaction and retention.

By renting out well-equipped space to treat clients, you can establish your own schedule, manage your client base, and cultivate your own, unique approach to patient care. UNTIL is a great way to do this – you can rent state-of-the-art facilities from as little as £100 a month. Each room comes complete with a treatment bed, sink and workspace, fresh towels and more, so they’re perfect for giving your clients the professional treatment they deserve.

Health coach

Enjoy giving advice based on your many years of expertise? Then becoming a health coach may be a logical next step.

As a health coach, your job is to provide someone with the skills, tools and confidence to make better lifestyle choices. You would use your knowledge of health and wellness to help people navigate any health concerns and reach their goals. This could involve helping someone lose weight, quit smoking, or simply improve their mood and happiness levels through fitness.

If you’re thinking about becoming a health coach, renting your own room can be beneficial for treating clients. UNTIL’s design-led consultation rooms have been designed to be the perfect blend of beauty and function for health professionals to provide a welcoming, calming space for their clients.

Osteopath

Though it requires further education and training – which might be off putting for some – osteopathy and physiotherapy are often grouped together for their similarities, so it could be a sensible career move.

Osteopaths help people to detect, treat and prevent health problems by moving, stretching or massaging a person's muscles and joints. They believe that our holistic wellbeing is deeply impacted by these factors all working in harmony. As an osteopath, you might help people with a range of issues, from lower back pain to sports injuries and arthritis.

It’s worth noting that generally, osteopaths are required to study for 4 to 5 years, and in order to practise in the UK, all osteopaths must be registered with the General Osteopathic Council (GOsC). You can find an osteopathic training course here.

As you can see, if you’re thinking of a career move away from physiotherapy, there are a wealth of different options. You can use your experience, strengths and skills in a variety of ways, and you won’t have to worry about all those years’ of training being for nothing.

If you’re considering opening your own clinic, be that for physiotherapy or a new chosen avenue like osteopathy or health coaching, see what UNTIL has to offer. From premium treatment rooms your clients will love, to a supportive community and transparent pricing that won’t put a dent in your earnings, there’s something for every health professional. A massive 93% of our members recommend UNTIL, so renting a room from just £100 a month could be your best move yet.

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