Physiotherapy Schools and Programs in Canada

Physiotherapy Studies in Canada

The field of Physiotherapy, although rather new from an academic standpoint, is becoming more and more popular among students.  The program is now being offered, at several degree levels, by many of the world’s leading universities, including many institutions in the wondrous country of Canada.
 
A land of vast distances and rich natural resources, Canada is the second-largest country in the world by total area.  Its relatively small population, however, translates to a nation in which people feel free to roam and explore—a country of which some portions have yet to be touched by humans.  A former colony of the United Kingdom and France, Canada became a self-governing dominion in 1867, yet retained its ties to the British crown.  Today it is seen as an economic and technological powerhouse, a nation that, at least for the most part, has developed in parallel with its southern neighbor, the United States, with which it shares the longest unfortified border in the world between two countries.  Canada is also one of the world’s leading countries in terms of education and boasts one of the finest systems of higher education in the world.
 
About Physiotherapy Education
 
Physiotherapy is a field of study that aims to educate and train students in the care and treatment of a wide range of conditions and injuries to the body through the use of various forms of passive mobilization, massage, electrotherapy and exercise.
 
Students who desire to practice Physiotherapy following graduation in Canada must initially undergo four years of intensive training and education, ultimately culminating in a Bachelor of Science degree in Physiotherapy.  Once students have successfully completed their undergraduate studies, they must then enroll in a 2-3 year postgraduate program in which they will focus their studies in a certain discipline which falls under the Physiotherapy umbrella.  These studies lead to a Master’s degree in Physiotherapy and prepare students to take and pass the national licensing examination—a requirement for anyone wishing to practice the discipline in Canada.
 
During the course of their studies, students will learn techniques such as Manipulative Therapy, a Physiotherapy specialty used for injuries to the joints, such as a sprained ankle or elbow bursitis.  In this technique, the hands are used to mobilize or gently move the joint or manipulate it using stronger movements to help reduce the pain and stiffness.  Students also learn about muscle imbalance re-education, in which an assessment of muscle imbalance is taken, followed by a program of age and strength-appropriate exercises aimed at re-educating the muscles to the point of full recovery and the prevention of further injury.
 
Why Study Abroad in Canada
 
The universities and instructors in Canada are some of the best in the world, assuring that all students have access to a top-notch education in a field of their choosing.  However, Canada has much more to offer students than just a great education.  Above all, Canada is prized for its glorious landscapes and unspoiled mountains and forests, but the country also plays host to some of the most cosmopolitan cities in the world, where people of hundreds of different cultures and ethnicities work and play together daily.  Within the countryside and cities of Canada are countless sights and attractions, places to which students can escape for fun and relaxation after a long week of studying.  Some of these wonderful sights include:
 
Niagara Falls
 
With more than 6 million cubic feet of water spilling over its brink every minute, Niagara Falls in Ontario, Canada is the most powerful and awe-inspiring waterfall in North America and maybe the most famous waterfall in the world, attracting millions of tourists each year.  This attraction, once limited to the falls alone, now includes a theme park and the lush Niagara Falls Casino Resort, where you’ll find all your favorite Las Vegas-style games, world-class dining and fine hotels.
 
CN Tower
 
Rising over 1,800 feet into the Toronto skyline, the CN Tower is the tallest free standing structure in the world and is located in the heart of downtown Toronto. Tourists are predictably drawn to the CN Tower, where they can get a bird's eye view of the marvelous city of Toronto and beyond.  Guests can ride the glass elevator up to the 1,122 foot-mark, where they can step out onto the observation deck and be awed by what they see below and around them.  To guarantee your spot and skip the often-massive lines that await you, you can combine this great sightseeing trip with your nightly meal by making a reservation at the tower’s top floor restaurant—360—fine dining with some of the most marvelous nighttime views anywhere.
 
Cabot Trail
 
Feel like doing some hiking or taking a long, relaxing drive?  If so, the Cabot Trail in Nova Scotia awaits you.  This 300 kilometer (185 mile) trail is famous for the vistas it offers of the renowned Gulf of St. Lawrence, the Atlantic Ocean and some very lush Canadian landscapes, which are particularly colorful and spectacular during the autumn months. The Cape Breton National Highlands Park—a great spot along the trail—is located at its most northern point, where the trail reaches its highest elevation. The trail takes a few hours to drive, but tourists generally spend a day or two, stopping in at one or two of the quaint towns along the way, offering lodging, country-style dining and plenty of shopping.