Study Guide

Objectives

The aim of naprapath education is to afford an extensive knowledge of musculoskeletal medicine and rehabilitation. Naprapath recognizes his/her resbonsibilities and obligations knowing the work ethics. Naprapath education and working in the profession are based on evidence-based research in musculoskeletal system rehabilitation.

After finishing 4 years studying, you dedicate good skills to examine, test, treat and prevent musculoskeletal disorders independently. You can develop your professional skills and make a critical evaluation of pieces of information suiting it to your own work. You are able to work in multi-professional team consulting other experts.

Degree programme description

The professional skills of naprapath are based on a good knowledge of anatomy, physiology and basic medical knowledge. Good skills on diagnostics and differential diagnostics are pronounced. Manual treatment techniques are as important as physical activity guidance.

The main contents of education consist of common studies in XAMK and professional studies (180 cr)
Professiona studies are:
- anatomy, physiology and patophysiology
- musculoskeletal anatomy
- neuroanatomy and physiology
- sports physiology
- biomechanics
- diagnostics in naprapathy I, II and III
- radiology
- naprapathic massage and muscle stretching techniques.
- naprapathic mobilisation techniques
- naprapathis manipulation techniques I and II
- naprapathic methods of therapeutic exercise
- sports medicine
- specialty medicine: general medicine
- pain physiology and pharmacology
- specialty medicine: orthopedics and neurology

Practical training 30 cr, of which 15 cr is performed in working life.
In complementary competence we offer psychology and interaction, pathology, microbiology and epidemiology, cell biology and histology, and entrepreunership studies.

Complementary competence at Xamk

Complementary competence comprises students’ optional studies. Complementary competence deepens or expands the core competence of the degree programme and allows you to specialise in a particular area. For professional optional studies, you can choose from individual courses or study modules in accordance with your personal study plan. The complementary competence selection includes Xamk-level multidisciplinary online studies, field-specific studies, and degree programme specific studies.

Other optional studies included in complementary competence are higher education courses that students can freely choose. You can choose up to 15 ECTS credits of other optional studies. You may also complete complementary competence study modules or courses from the selection of other higher education institutions, where applicable. The scope of complementary competence is, depending on the scope of core competence studies, 45–120 ECTS credits in degrees comprising 210 credits and 60–120 ECTS credits in degrees comprising 240 credits.

Implementation of studies

Naprapathy studies are implemented as full-time studies in XAMK Kotka campus. The immediate application of theory to practice is common in naprapath studies. Students are practicing guided in campus, so presence is prerequisite. It is important to proceed according to the curriculum, so that student’s learning can be secured.
Scheduling clinical practice or bachelor’s thesis outside the scheduling plan is possible to give some flexibility in time use.

Flexible study opportunities
At the beginning of the studies, you prepare your personal study plan (PSP) which helps you make choices related to the studies, practical training, bachelor’s thesis and international activities. We make every effort to ensure that you can plan your studies in the best way possible, according to your own life situation.

The studies are implemented using various methods:
· lectures
· independent assignments
· teamwork
· online studies
· projects with companies and other organisations
· projects carried out at South-Eastern Finland University of Applied Sciences
· examinations
· practical training.

Career opportunities

The employments for naprapaths are good. Employment in the education sector one year after graduating is slightly over 80%.

Over 70% of graduated naprapaths work as self-employed professionals. The second largest group are working in medical centers and physical care centers.

It is also possible to work abroad especially with sport teams and associations.
Naprapath is a health care professional holding protected occupational title by Valvira (National Supervisory Authority for Welfare and health).

RDI and cooperation with world of work

Naprapath students often participate in various wellness events where they can, for example organize lectures and measurements of musculoskeletal health. School Clinic also collaborates with the staff of Kotka campus.

Cooperation with Etelä-Kymenlaakso Sports Academy has been running for years. XAMK Naprapath education and Kotka testing station work together accomplishing for example common health exercise projects and bachelor’s thesis.

Learning environments

Students’ typical day of working forms of theory teaching, and training in practice. Teaching is organized mainly in new Kotka campus. New skills are trained in “StudentClinic”, on LITAS (muscle strength and balance)-laboratorion. Patient situations can be arranged as simulation-training as well as the actual care situation.

Naprapath students train in three clinical practice- it means training your skills at work in medical centers, physical centres or naprapath private practice. Anatomy skills are supplemented in the third year at the University of Turku, in anatomical autopsy / dissection.

Students interested in sports can also perform their practical training in sports.
We also do educational cooperation with Swedish Naprapathögskolan. Teacher exchange takes place annually, and students can complete practical training in Sweden as exchange student.