Work Environment
This occupation is typically found in the following Career Sector(s):
Videos on the Web
- Spinologist- from: Youtube Search
Most commonly reported Work Activities
- Assisting and Caring for Others Providing personal assistance, medical attention, emotional support, or other personal care to others such as coworkers, customers, or patients.
- Documenting/Recording Information Entering, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
- Making Decisions and Solving Problems Analysing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
- Performing for or Working Directly with the Public Performing for people or dealing directly with the public. This includes serving customers in restaurants and stores, and receiving clients or guests.
- Getting Information Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
- Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
- Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.
- Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.
- Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.
- Monitor Processes, Materials, or Surroundings Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.
Working Life
Unlike other practices, such as chiropractic and physiotherapy, spinology does not involve any manipulation of the bones in the spine. Instead, the spinologist works with the muscle fibres in the back to help correct spinal obtrusion.
Most commonly reported Work Tasks
- Plan, prepare, or carry out individually designed programmes of physical treatment to maintain, improve, or restore physical functioning, alleviate pain, or prevent physical dysfunction in patients.
- Perform and document an initial exam, evaluating data to identify problems and determine a diagnosis prior to intervention.
- Record prognosis, treatment, response, and progress in patient's chart or enter information into computer.
- Instruct patient and family in treatment procedures to be continued at home.
- Evaluate effects of treatment at various stages and adjust treatments to achieve maximum benefit.
- Confer with the patient, medical practitioners, or appropriate others to plan, implement, or assess the intervention program.
- Administer manual exercises, massage, or traction to help relieve pain, increase patient strength, or decrease or prevent deformity or crippling.
- Obtain patients' informed consent to proposed interventions.
- Test and measure patient's strength, motor development and function, sensory perception, functional capacity, or respiratory or circulatory efficiency and record data.
- Direct, supervise, assess, and communicate with supportive personnel.
Qualities - Spinologist
You will need to enjoy learning about the science of the body and how it works. You'll also need a logical and analytical approach to your work, and good listening skills.
You should enjoy working with people and have a caring personality. Tact and sensitivity are vital. Because the practice of Spinology is based on the use of your hands, you will need a good sense of touch and flexible, accurate hand skills. Confidentiality and discretion are also very important in this career.
If you are going to be self-employed, you will need sound business sense.
Interests - Spinologist
This occupation is typically suited for people with the following Career Interests:
Social
The Social person's interests focus on interacting with the people in their environment. In all cases, the Social person enjoys the personal contact with other people in preference to the impersonal dealings with things, data and ideas found in other groups.
Many will seek out positions where there is direct contact with the public in some advisory role, whether a receptionist or a counsellor. Social people are motivated by an interest in different types of people and like diversity in their work environments. Many are drawn towards careers in the caring professions and social welfare area, whilst others prefer teaching and other 'informing' roles.
Investigative
The Investigative person will usually find a particular area of science to be of interest. They are inclined toward intellectual and analytical activities and enjoy observation and theory. They may prefer thought to action, and enjoy the challenge of solving problems with sophiscticated technology. These types prefer mentally stimulating environments and often pay close attention to developments in their chosen field.
Realist
Realists are usually interested in 'things' - such as buildings, mechanics, equipment, tools, electronics etc. Their primary focus is dealing with these - as in building, fixing, operating or designing them. Involvement in these areas leads to high manual skills, or a fine aptitude for practical design - as found in the various forms of engineering.
Realists like to find practical solutions to problems using tools, technology and skilled work. Realists usually prefer to be active in their work environment, often do most of their work alone, and enjoy taking decisive action with a minimum amount of discussion and paperwork.
Entry / Progression - Spinologist
Physiotherapist V Physical Therapist. Confusion sometimes arises, especially for students trying to choose college courses, between the occupation and professional titles of 'physiotherapist' and 'physical therapist'. In most other countries the terms are interchangeable, however, in Ireland they refer to two different levels of qualification and clinical expertise.
According to The Irish Society of Chartered Physiotherapists, the professional body representing physiotherapists in Ireland, Irish Society for Physiotherapists Physios have a four-year full-time degree and 1,000 hours of clinical placement in public health services as part of that degree programme and also have expertise in musculoskeletal, cardio-respiratory and neurological conditions. In Ireland, a Physical Therapist does not have training in neurological conditions and work outside the public health system. There are also varied levels of training. In general, their clinical practice is limited to musculoskeletal conditions.
Sample Education and Training Pathways
A number of courses are available throughout the country that focus on learning and skills that may be useful for this career. The examples and links below may guide you in your research.
Further Education (FET)
Further Education & Training (FET) Courses are delivered by local ETBs, ranging in duration from several weeks up to 20 months. Courses are designed to meet the labour market needs and often include a large element of work experience.
Example search terms include: physiology and health science, sports and leisure management, pre university physiotherapy, sports physio, sports and physical therapy, holistic, physical therapies, recreation and exercise, physio assistant.
Search for FET Courses
PLC Courses (FET)
PLC courses are full-time courses, one or two years duration, with awards at Level 5 and 6 on the NFQ. They are offered nationally in Schools and Colleges of Further Education.
Example search terms include: physiology and health science, sports and leisure management, pre university physiotherapy, sports physio, sports and physical therapy, holistic, physical therapies, recreation and exercise, physio assistant.
Search for PLC Courses
Higher Education CAO (Undergraduate)
Higher Education courses at Levels 6 to 8 on the NFQ, delivered in Universities and Technological Universities & Institutes. Courses run from 2 – 5 years and places are allocated on a points-based system, processed by the Central Application Office.
Example search terms include: nutrition, health science, physiology and health science, physiotherapy, sports studies, physiology, massage, health physiology.
Search for CAO Courses
Higher Education (Postgraduate)
Postgraduate courses are courses at Levels 9 and 10 on the NFQ and usually last 1 – 2 years full time, or longer if a PhD or part time. Entrants typically require an undergraduate award (Level 8).
Example search terms include:
Search for Postgraduate Courses
Professional Development
Professional development (CPD) courses are specialised training, formal education, or advanced professional learning that improves skills, professional knowledge, competency, and overall effectiveness in the professional world.
CORU the Health and Social Care Professional Council which is the State organisation that manages the official register of healthcare professionals. Ongoing CPD is offered by
Irish Society for Physiotherapists
The Chiropractic Association of Ireland (CAI)
Check the Useful Contacts tab on this page to see if there are any professional bodies listed who may provide training related to this career.
Pay & Salary - Spinologist
Salary Range (thousands per year)* €40k - €124k
Salaries vary based on employer, location, experience, duties, and role. Average salaries depend on private practice fees.
Data Source(s):
Indeed/ Payscale/ Glassdoor
Last Updated: July, 2024
Labour Market Updates - Spinologist
Note: The following information relates to occupations that include: Psychologists; Pharmacists; Opticians (including dispensing opticians); Dental practitioners; Veterinarians; Medical radiographers; Podiatrists; Health professionals n.e.c.; Health services and public health managers; and directors Social services; managers and directors Health care practice managers.
This information has been derived from the Solas National Skills Bulletin (2023).
Employment growth was above the national average for this occupation, although employment in 2022 were similar to 2021 levels. The CSO Census data shows that employment was spread across a large number of roles in 2022, with increases across all within this occupation since 2016.
While the numbers employed have increased since 2016, for the most part, the supply from the education and training system has not, and plans to expand training will not have an impact on the potential supply to the labour market in the short-term, given the duration of training required. This has led to issues for a number of roles within this group; for instance, there is an increasing number of students opting to study veterinary medicine in Poland due to the lack of available places to study in Ireland.
Psychologists and pharmacists were added to the employment permits Critical Skills list in June 2022 although new permits issued in 2022 primarily related to radiographers/sonographers, with a small number issued for dentists and pharmacists. With a quarter of those employed aged 55 years or older, replacement demand alone will create job opportunities in the coming years. Demand remains high across these occupations and issues with recruitment are occurring; however, as the numbers employed are too small across the roles for detailed analysis, evidence of shortages are difficult to determine.
Useful Contacts - Spinologist
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Chiropractic Association of Ireland
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Health and Safety Executive
- 1G Redgrave Court, Merton Road, Bootle, Merseyside, L20 7HS, UK
- +44 (0)845 345 0055
- [email protected]
- Click Here
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CORU - Regulating Health & Social Care Professionals
