Scope of Physiotherapy in Pakistan Job Opportunities Starting Salary

The Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) degree is a relatively new field in Pakistan, but it has quickly become one of the most popular. So there is a vast Scope of Physiotherapy in Pakistan now. Physiotherapists help people of all ages stay healthy, recover from injury, and prevent diseases. The field is growing rapidly, and there is a high demand for qualified physiotherapists.

One of the best things about a career in physiotherapy is the high income potential. Physiotherapists earn more than many other professionals, and they have the opportunity to work in a variety of settings, including hospitals, clinics, and private practices.

Another benefit of a career in physiotherapy is the low competition. There are fewer physiotherapists than there are people who need their services, which means that qualified physiotherapists have a good chance of finding a job.

If you are interested in a career and Scope of Physiotherapy in Pakistan, Pakistan is a great place to start your education. There are many accredited DPT programs available, and the cost of tuition is relatively low. After you graduate, you can either work in Pakistan or travel abroad to find a job.

Here are some additional benefits of a career in physiotherapy:

• You can help people improve their quality of life.
• You can work in a variety of settings.
• You can earn a good income.
• The competition is low.

If you are looking for a rewarding career in the healthcare field, physiotherapy is a great option.

What is DPT?

The term DPT stands for Doctor of Physical Therapy, which refers to a therapeutic approach aimed at alleviating physical pain and addressing musculoskeletal or skeletal disorders. This method relies on an individual’s medical history and physical examination to determine a diagnosis, enabling the development of a tailored management plan. Furthermore, laboratory and imaging studies, such as X-rays, CT scans, or MRI findings, can be incorporated to enhance the accuracy of the diagnosis. This article explores the scope of DPT in Pakistan.

Physical therapy has emerged as a highly effective treatment for physical pain, surpassing the benefits of traditional pain relievers. It not only provides relief but also improves daily functioning and mobility for individuals. When people experience pain, their instinct is often to consult a doctor, often overlooking the potential benefits offered by a chiropractor’s office. It is worth noting that a Doctor of Physical Therapy is recognized as a physiotherapist in various regions worldwide, including Australia, Canada, and Europe, whereas the profession is referred to as physical therapy in the United States.

Scope of Physiotherapy in Pakistan/DPT

Upon successful completion of a DPT program in Pakistan, graduates can expect to have a wide range of opportunities. A Doctor of Physical Therapy possesses skills in conducting physical therapy examinations, evaluations, diagnoses, prognoses, interventions, preventative measures, wellness initiatives, and optimal healthcare utilization.

Physiotherapy is a healthcare profession dedicated to enhancing mobility, physical independence, and overall quality of life. It encompasses the treatment of various conditions, including but not limited to musculoskeletal, neurological, cardio-respiratory, pediatric, geriatric, women’s health, and sports injuries.

Physiotherapists work with individuals of different ages, athletic abilities, and activity levels, taking care of a diverse range of health issues, both acute and chronic.

The diagnosis in physiotherapy is based on clinical decision-making principles involving thorough examination, evaluation, prognosis, interventions, and outcome assessment. Physiotherapists play a crucial role within the healthcare team, working directly with patients to aid their recovery after surgery, injury, fracture, or other acquired disabilities. Patients suffering from chronic conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, arthritis, joint pain, cancer, and neurological disorders like Parkinsonism and stroke also benefit from consultations with trained physiotherapists.

Individuals aspiring to pursue a career in physiotherapy must complete a five-year Doctor of Physiotherapy (DPT) program.

The Doctor of Physiotherapy degree holds significant respect and is highly sought after worldwide. With the global population steadily increasing, DPT remains a qualification in high demand for years to come, making it a promising career choice.

Best Specialization After DPT in Pakistan

After completion of DPT degree, you can do specialization in so many degree programs. Some of them are listed below along with their scope and functions.

Orthopedic Physical Therapy
Neurological Physical Therapy
Cardiopulmonary Physical Therapy
Oncology Physical Therapy
Pediatric Physical Therapy
Women’s Health Physical Therapy
Geriatric Physical Therapy
Sports Physical Therapy

Orthopedic Physical Therapy: Focuses on the assessment, treatment, and rehabilitation of musculoskeletal injuries and conditions. Scope includes working with orthopedic patients in hospitals, clinics, and sports settings to improve mobility, manage pain, and enhance functionality.

Neurological Physical Therapy: Addresses disorders of the nervous system, such as stroke, spinal cord injuries, and multiple sclerosis. Scope includes working with patients to improve balance, coordination, and movement, often in hospitals, rehabilitation centers, and outpatient clinics.

Cardiopulmonary Physical Therapy: Specializes in treating individuals with cardiovascular and pulmonary conditions, including heart disease and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Scope involves enhancing cardiovascular fitness, respiratory function, and endurance through exercise programs in hospitals, cardiac rehabilitation centers, and pulmonary clinics.

Oncology Physical Therapy: Provides rehabilitation and supportive care to individuals undergoing cancer treatment. Scope includes managing pain, fatigue, and physical limitations, often in hospitals, oncology clinics, and palliative care settings.

Pediatric Physical Therapy: Focuses on the assessment and treatment of children with developmental delays, disabilities, or injuries. Scope involves improving motor skills, coordination, and independence, commonly in hospitals, pediatric clinics, schools, and early intervention programs.

Women’s Health Physical Therapy: Addresses conditions specific to women, such as pregnancy-related musculoskeletal pain, pelvic floor dysfunction, and urinary incontinence. Scope includes providing interventions for prenatal and postnatal care, pelvic health, and overall well-being, often in hospitals, women’s health clinics, and rehabilitation centers.

Geriatric Physical Therapy: Specializes in the assessment and management of older adults with age-related conditions, such as arthritis, osteoporosis, and balance disorders. Scope involves improving mobility, preventing falls, and promoting functional independence in settings like hospitals, nursing homes, and senior care facilities.

Sports Physical Therapy: Focuses on the treatment and prevention of sports-related injuries, as well as performance enhancement for athletes. Scope includes working with athletes of all levels in sports clinics, athletic training facilities, and sports teams to optimize recovery, rehabilitate injuries, and improve athletic performance.

Scope of Physiotherapy in Pakistan Job Opportunities Starting Salary

As we all know that success is never achieved without making a consistent effort so the same is the case in this field. Once you have completed your physiotherapy degree, the first 2 to 3 years of your career are gone be tough ones but if you are good enough to survive them, you will receive tons of great opportunities in your further professional career.

Required Skills In Physiotherapy

1. A genuine interest in social work is essential for success in this field, along with the ability to quickly build positive relationships with people.
2. Humility, patience, and a friendly demeanor are necessary qualities to excel in this job.
3. In addition to interpersonal skills, a solid understanding of anatomy, biology, and physiology is required for effective practice. A thorough knowledge of the subject matter allows physiotherapists to provide comprehensive treatment tailored to the specific needs of each patient.
4. Dealing with uncooperative individuals is a common challenge in physiotherapy, making patience an indispensable prerequisite.
5. Moreover, good coordination skills are beneficial as physiotherapists often work as part of a larger healthcare team, collaborating with physicians, surgeons, nursing staff, and paramedics to provide holistic care.

Job Opportunities in Physiotherapy Field in Pakistan

If you are thinking about the kind of employment opportunities available for you after completing your education than don’t get worried as the physiotherapy field is quite flexible and offers various employment options. So once you have completed your degree and have a few years of experience, you can go on to become:

Physiotherapy lecturer in a university

• Teaches physiotherapy courses to undergraduate and graduate students.
• Conducts research in the field of physiotherapy.
• Serves on university committees.
• Salary range: PKR 50,000 – 100,000 Per month

Physiotherapist to any sports team

• Provides physical therapy services to athletes, including injury prevention, rehabilitation, and performance enhancement.
• Develops and implements individualized treatment plans.
• Monitors athletes’ progress and provides feedback to coaches and athletes.
• Salary range: PKR 50,000 – 100,000 Per month

Run your own Private Clinic

• Provides physical therapy services to patients in a private setting.
• Develops and implements individualized treatment plans.
• Monitors patients’ progress and provides feedback to patients and their families.
• Salary range: PKR 60,000 – 150,000 per month

Physiotherapy services manager

• Oversees the delivery of physical therapy services in a healthcare setting.
• Develops and implements policies and procedures.
• Recruits and trains staff.
• Coordinates with other departments, such as nursing and medicine.
• Salary range: PKR 70,000 – 175,000 per month

Physical Training Instructor

• Develops and delivers physical training programs to individuals and groups.
• Assesses participants’ fitness levels.
• Designs exercises to meet participants’ individual needs.
• Motivates and encourages participants.
• Salary range: PKR 40,000 – 90,000 per month

Respiratory Therapist

• Provides respiratory therapy services to patients, including the administration of oxygen and other respiratory treatments.
• Assesses patients’ respiratory status.
• Plans and implements respiratory care plans.
• Salary range: PKR 55,000 – 125,000 per month

Occupational Therapist

• Provides occupational therapy services to patients, including helping them to regain or improve their ability to perform everyday activities.
• Assesses patients’ functional abilities.
• Plans and implements occupational therapy programs.
• Salary range: PKR 65,000 – 140,000 per month

Senior Speech Therapist

• Provides speech therapy services to patients, including helping them to regain or improve their ability to communicate.
• Assesses patients’ communication abilities.
• Plans and implements speech therapy programs.
• Salary range: PKR 75,000 – 160,000 per month

Assistant Physiotherapist

• Provides physical therapy services under the supervision of a physiotherapist.
• Assists with the development and implementation of treatment plans.
• Monitors patients’ progress and provides feedback to the physiotherapist.
• Salary range: PKR 45,000 – 95,000 per month

Physical Test Supervisor

• Develops and administers physical tests to assess the fitness and performance of athletes and other individuals.
• Interprets test results and provides feedback to athletes and their coaches.
• Identifies areas where athletes can improve their fitness and performance.
• Salary range: PKR 50,000 – 100,000 per month

Researcher in Biotechnology

• Conducts research in the field of biotechnology, which is the use of living organisms to develop new products and services.
• Designs and conducts experiments.
  Analyzes data.
• Publishes research findings in peer-reviewed journals.
• Salary range: PKR 80,000 – 180,000 per month

So don’t just get stuck to these options as plenty of more opportunities are available out there. You just have to find one depending on your area of interest.

DPT Scope in Pakistan and Salary

The Doctor of Physiotherapy program offers comprehensive treatment for a wide range of conditions, making it a highly respected profession worldwide. Graduates can find excellent career opportunities in physical therapy centers, hospitals, DPT clinics, personal therapy settings, and rehabilitation centers, highlighting the scope of DPT in Pakistan. The average salary for physiotherapists in Pakistan is PKR 320,952 per year or PKR 26,746 per month, with entry-level positions starting at PKR 26,000 per month and experienced professionals earning up to PKR 190,000 per month.

Top 20 Physiotherapy Universities in Pakistan

1. Aga Khan University
2. Khyber Medical University
3. Riphah International University
4. Baqai Medical University
5. University of Health Sciences
6. University of Karachi
7. Isra University
8. Zia Uddin University
9. The University of Lahore
10. Jinnah Sindh Medical University
11. University Of Baluchistan
12. Shifa Tameer-e-Millat University
13. Gandhara University, Peshawar
14. The University of Faisalabad
15. Quaid-I-Azam University
16. University of Sargodha
17. Indus University
18. Government College University Lahore
19. Superior University
20. University of Sialkot

Important Questions for Scope of Physiotherapy in Pakistan

What should I study after DPT?

After completion of DPT, you can do specialization in any of the following programs to get a bright future.

• Orthopedic Physical Therapy: Focuses on the assessment, treatment, and rehabilitation of musculoskeletal injuries and conditions. Scope includes working with orthopedic patients in hospitals, clinics, and sports settings to improve mobility, manage pain, and enhance functionality. This has the vast Scope of Physiotherapy in Pakistan.
• Neurological Physical Therapy: Addresses disorders of the nervous system, such as stroke, spinal cord injuries, and multiple sclerosis. Scope includes working with patients to improve balance, coordination, and movement, often in hospitals, rehabilitation centers, and outpatient clinics.
• Geriatric Physical Therapy: Specializes in the assessment and management of older adults with age-related conditions, such as arthritis, osteoporosis, and balance disorders. Scope involves improving mobility, preventing falls, and promoting functional independence in settings like hospitals, nursing homes, and senior care facilities.

What is the lowest salary of physiotherapy?

With entry-level positions starting salary package is at PKR 26,000 per month.

What is the highest salary of physiotherapist in Pakistan?

The highest salary for physiotherapists in Pakistan is PKR 320,952 per year or PKR 26,746 per month.

Is there any scope of DPT?

Physiotherapy is a healthcare profession dedicated to enhancing mobility, physical independence, and overall quality of life. It encompasses the treatment of various conditions, including but not limited to musculoskeletal, neurological, cardio-respiratory, pediatric, geriatric, women’s health, and sports injuries. So this field  has a very good scope in Pakistan.

Which physiotherapy is best?

Sports Physical Therapy is the best kind of physiotherapist. It Focuses on the treatment and prevention of sports-related injuries, as well as performance enhancement for athletes.

Is DPT equal to MBBS?

No DPT is not equal to MBBS and  BDS degree as you cannot apply for surgeon and physician job but DPT has its very vast scope in Pakistan. After completion of DPT degree, you can apply for specialization in physical therapy, musculoskeletal physiotherapy, etc.