Sports physiotherapists help sportsmen and sportswomen operate at peak performance and give them advice on injury prevention and recovery from injuries. They work in a team with coaches, other health care professionals and sports scientists.

Sports physiotherapists use a range of treatments, including manipulation, massage, taping, first aid, heat treatment, therapeutic exercise, electrotherapy, ultrasound, acupuncture and hydrotherapy. They keep full records of patient treatment and progress.

As well as working with top-level performers, many sports physiotherapists work with amateur sportsmen and sportswomen, and people who take part in sport as a leisure activity.

Sports physiotherapists may specialise in a particular sport, or in a particular aspect of physiotherapy, such as rehabilitation.

Hours and Environment

As a sports physiotherapist you are likely to work irregular hours, including evenings and weekends. You will need to be prepared to work up to 16 hours a day when on tour with a team, as you will usually be working single-handed. You may have to attend training sessions and competitions or fixtures, which could include travelling in the UK or possibly abroad.

Skills and Interests

To be a sports physiotherapist, you need:

• an interest and ability in health science and sport
• concern for the health and wellbeing of patients
• excellent communication skills
• the ability to work well as part of a team
• good interpersonal skills
• good organisational and administrative skills.

Entry

To become a sports physiotherapist, you first need to qualify as a chartered physiotherapist by completing a physiotherapy degree approved by the Health Professions Council. When you have completed the degree you will be eligible for state registration and membership of the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy (CSP). See the Health Professions Council and CSP websites (in Further Information below) for details of approved degree courses. Entry requirements for courses can vary, so you should check with individual colleges or universities. 

There is a lot of competition for places on physiotherapy degree courses, so it is advisable to get relevant health care experience, for example as a physiotherapy assistant, before applying. If you are working as a physiotherapy assistant it may be possible to take a part-time degree whilst remaining in employment. Ask your local hospital trust for details. 

You may be able to start a physiotherapy degree course after completing a two-year Cadet Scheme, which covers a broad range of clinical experience and includes working towards NVQs.

For all courses you will need to have a CRB (Criminal Records Bureau) check at the beginning of the course and again before registering with the Health Professions Council.

Your course fees will usually be paid by the NHS, and there is a means-tested bursary to help with the cost of living while you train. Visit the NHS Student Grants Unit website (in Further Information below) for detailed information about eligibility for the NHS bursary scheme.

If you have a first class or upper second class honours degree in a relevant subject, such as a biological science, psychology or sports science, you may be eligible for an accelerated postgraduate programme. Contact the CSP (in Further Information below) for more details.

When you have completed your physiotherapy degree and started to work in general physiotherapy, you can begin to specialise in treating sports injuries. Because physiotherapy degrees do not usually include sports work, it is common to combine attending specialist courses with doing unpaid sports-related work alongside more experienced therapists. This will allow you to develop expertise and confidence in treating sports injuries, until you are skilled enough to work independently.

To work in professional sport you will usually need to be a chartered physiotherapist, with a relevant Masters degree and a considerable number of years' experience in your specialist field.

Training

Many sports physiotherapists take a postgraduate diploma or Masters degree in sports physiotherapy, sports exercise and medicine, sports injury or rehabilitation science. Courses vary, therefore it is important to discuss with the university or college how the course will meet your needs. Visit the Association of Chartered Physiotherapists in Sports Medicine (ACPSM) website in Further Information below for details of courses. 

As a sports physiotherapist you must hold a valid first aid certificate for sporting scenarios and be a member of the ACPSM.

You will need to keep your skills up to date throughout your career by following a programme of Continuing Professional Development (CPD). The ACPSM offers a range of relevant courses. See their website (in Further Information below) for details.

Opportunities

As a sports physiotherapist, you could work in private practice, in health and fitness clubs and leisure centres, or for sport associations or clubs. 

Increasing interest in sport in the UK, is leading to more opportunities for working in sports physiotherapy.

Annual Income

Figures are intended as a guideline only. 

Newly qualified physiotherapist working in the NHS start at £19,166 a year.
Sports physiotherapists can earn from £22,397 a year.
Senior sports physiotherapists with experience of working with national teams can earn between £33,596 and £44,794.

Visit the NHS Careers website (in Further Information below) for full salary scales for physiotherapists in the NHS.

Further information

PO Box 376
Bristol
BS99 3EY
Tel: 0845 606 0655 Castlewood House
77-91 New Oxford Street
London
WC1A 1PX
Advice line: 08000 933300 14 Bedford Row
London
WC1R 4ED
Tel: 020 7306 6666 Tel: 08000 150 850
Email: learning@nhscareers.nhs.uk