 Welcome to our third week of Sector Spotlight for 2025! For our first Sector Spotlight on Land-based Industries, we hear from Karoline MacPhail, who is a freelance ACPAT Chartered Physiotherapist. Karoline runs Physio Phix, performing physiotherapy on animals as well as on people. Can you describe a typical day in your role as a Chartered Physiotherapist?
It is very variable being both a human and veterinary physiotherapist. I treat a variety of different pathologies everyday with humans, horses and dogs - no two days are the same, one day I can be treating high level athletes and the next a dog with hip dysplasia. I spend my clinic time treating but behind the scenes there is a lot of paperwork with note taking, onward referrals, reports, booking in new clients and completing CPD to keep my skills up to date. How did you end up in this role? I wanted to become a veterinary physiotherapist from the age of 12. I completed my Physiotherapy degree in 2013 at Queen Margaret University. I then had to work for two years as human physiotherapist before I was accepted to the 2 year Veterinary Physiotherapy PGDip at Liverpool University. I worked for NHS Grampian whilst completing my veterinary physio course which was very challenging and time-consuming. I was lucky I had a fantastic senior physio who mentored/inspired me to better my human MSK career as well, which I am now very grateful for. I moved back to Orkney at the end of 2017 where I became fully self employed. It was daunting to leave the security of the NHS but I have never looked back. In 2024 I purchased a Winback4 medical device which elevated my practice to the next level. What is the best thing about your job? Being able to help clients' quality of life. There are some clients who have been in chronic pain for years and its very rewarding to see them walk out the door happy and pain free. What is the worst thing about your job? Client expectation, there can be a lot of pressure to get clients back to ‘normal’ as quickly as possible. What skills do you need to undertake your role? Good communication skills and being able to work as part of a team is key. Although I technically work alone, I have a lot of contact with GPs, Consultants, Vets and the wider multidisciplinary team - sometimes "it takes a village" with input from a variety of professionals to get someone feeling better. Being able to problem solve is very important. 3 clients can come in with low back pain, but they will all have a different reason for their pain - being able to identify why can be a challenge. Having a thick skin - you might not always get things right, and in a small community that can be tough, but its important to be able learn from your mistakes/gaps in your knowledge to progress. What qualifications do you have? BSc (Hons) Physiotherapy Sports Massage and tapping course PGDip in Veterinary Physiotherapy AACP Acupuncture course Would you recommend this job to young people? If so, why? Yes. I originally only did my first degree as you had to be a physiotherapist to get a place at Liverpool University. Nowadays there are more direct routes to veterinary physiotherapy. However, I am so glad that I am able to do both. Days can be mentally and physically challenging as a physiotherapist and you are constantly learning but it is a very rewarding career. Visit Physio Phix on: Website: https://www.physiophix.co.uk/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PhysioPhixOrkney/ Comments are closed.
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