Summary
Roles of the physiotherapist masseur
With prescription
The masseur-physiotherapist acts on medical prescription to help people with:
- paralysis;
- neurological disorders;
- road accidents;
- work ;
- or sports.
It follows the doctor’s diagnosis and/or the report of the x-rays. The masseur-physiotherapist then decides on the treatment: often massages, or exercises and movements practiced by the patient under his control.
Without prescription
The masseur-physiotherapist also intervenes, and more and more, without medical prescription. His skills have extended to the field of well-being:
- fitness;
- relaxing;
- massage;
- lymphatic drainage…
It also helps children or adults suffering from respiratory, circulatory or rheumatic conditions to regain normal motor function.
Working conditions of the masseur-physiotherapist
Less and less liberal
The masseur-physiotherapist can work as a liberal, alone or with partners in a private practice. He can also perform:
- in hospitals;
- functional rehabilitation centers;
- or spas.
In any case, he always works in close collaboration with doctors, radiologists and the entire healthcare team to coordinate care.
Various fields of action
The masseur-physiotherapist rehabilitates patients who suffer from various traumas, but he also intervenes in the sports field (fitness, relaxation, massages) and in thalassotherapy (balneotherapy, hydrotherapy…).
Lots of material
The masseur-kinesitherapist performs rehabilitation or re-education care, manually or instrumentally. It uses in particular:
- Balloons ;
- dumbbells;
- pulleys;
- sometimes clay;
- infrared;
- creams and ointments;
- sources of heat or cold…
The masseur-physiotherapist also sometimes uses hydrotherapy.
How much does a physiotherapist earn?
The novice masseur-physiotherapist earns an average of €2,000 net per month in the private sector. In the public, it starts at around €1,300 net in hospital, and €1,500 in a rehabilitation centre.
Training to become a massage therapist
The state diploma
It is mandatory to exercise the profession of masseur-physiotherapist. It is accessible after the baccalaureate, offered by 36 training institutes.
admission
The entrance examination is very selective, limited by a numerus clausus. A one-year preparatory course is therefore strongly recommended, even compulsory in certain institutes.
Training
It lasts 3 years and combines hours of lessons, practical work and internships.
The lessons taught include, among others:
- anatomy ;
- morphology ,
- human physiology;
- the pathology ;
- psycho-sociology…
Qualifications needed to become a massage therapist
Delicacy
The masseur-physiotherapist palpates and reshapes the muscles. It massages gently or intensely as needed. But he must demonstrate:
- dexterity;
- alertness;
- and attention.
Be good advice
He also gives recommendations to his patients on postures to adopt or self-rehabilitation methods.
Content updated on 07/06/2012
Our tips:
You can consult the websites of:
The French Federation of Rehabilitation Masseur-Physiotherapists (FFMKR): www.ffmkr.org
The National Union of Masseurs-Physiotherapists-Rehabilitators (SNMKR): www.snmkr.fr
The Ministry of Health: www.sante-jeunesse-sports.gouv.fr