Are Physical Therapists a Dead End? [Final Episode]

This is the final episode on this theme.

The "Vision for Physical Therapists Supporting the Purpose in Life of Citizens in 2030" presented last time has something that is guaranteed. That is something based on the knowledge and experience of physical therapists.

To begin with, what exactly is the knowledge and experience of physical therapists?

Under the current Japanese Physical Therapist and Occupational Therapist Act, work is performed "under the direction of a physician," so as such, I believe that training under a physician in a medical setting provides the most fresh experience.

This is also a part that falls under the monopoly of physical therapists, and it is a category that other professions cannot enter. (On the other hand, because it is all waiting for instructions from a physician rather than direct access, there is a lack of ability to think from scratch.)

According to Mr. Kijo, a president of a fee-based company (who is a physical therapist), he points out that the weapon of a physical therapist is that they have honed their skills in a hospital. He says that physical therapist employees who earn 10 million yen are such individuals.

In other words, whether it is the vision put forward by the Physical Therapy Association or a way of working in a field that does not rely on fee-based public funds, it is clear that the skills, knowledge, and experience of physical therapists are the most important.

Here, as Representative Harimoto says, I will not deeply pursue the significance of working hard in a field where "public fund fields" means that "your income will not increase" even if you make an effort or study.

Next, about four months ago, a video was uploaded on "Rehanome," featuring talks by House of Councillors member Katsumi Ogawa, House of Councillors member Masashi Tanaka, and former Physical Therapy Association Chairman Kazuto Handa.

In the discussion about salaries here, there was talk that "the number of aspiring physicians might decrease due to the severity of the medical insurance system itself," and that we should break away from the constraints of the public insurance system and build a system to earn money.

Also, according to House of Councillors member Ogawa, he predicts that the number of physical therapist members of the National Diet will not increase any further, and he seems to believe that now is the chance if we are to revise the "law". In other words, does this mean that if we miss this chance, there will be no more opportunities?

In this way, regarding the topic of "salary," I think there is a question mark over whether it will grow in the future. And if you want to increase your salary, I think it is necessary to earn money with your own skills outside of public insurance and pave such a path.

In any case, at the root of honing one's skills as a "physical therapist," I think that honing "knowledge," "experience," and "skills" in a medical setting lies quietly.

And since this system is unique to Japan, I think it is quite different from the concept of physical therapy in the rest of the world. Furthermore, the concept of physical therapy in Japan may become more diversified.

In such a state, I think there is no answer to the question "what is true physical therapy?" Rather, wouldn't the answer come by sticking to "this is my physical therapy *1)"?

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*1) Regarding "This is my physical therapy" [Added on July 14, 2025] On June 11, the iU (Information and Management for Innovation)
Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, Department of Physical Therapy was the first in Japan to be accredited as an entry-level bachelor's degree program for physical therapists by World Physiotherapy (an organization that plays international leadership, with physical therapy associations from 129 countries and regions as members). I learned about this content in Mr. Yoshikawa's article today

As world-class education permeates Japan in the future, the meaning of "This is my physical therapy" may become clearer through external forces. It is certain that the importance of education will increase even further.
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For those who hold such beliefs, I believe there is a "bright future." That is the answer to "no event worth waiting for will occur."