Some time you may face this type of situations with your patients also as we don't treat them with fancy costly branded medicines, we don't prescrib costly labs and imaging to them.
Awareness about the profession is very low and so is the recognition. Our governing bodies states and national associations are a big failure.
I personally feel different strata of physiotherapists in india one is relatively new PHYSIOS which are having 0 to 3 yrs of experience. They are having less experience mostly work in other physio or orthopaedic setup or are trying to run their own setup. They are busy in finding ways to earn their bread and butter.
Second group PHYSIOS are a bit more experienced let's say upto 4-6 years mostly. They are busy to prove themselves in society.
Third are elite established sr.PHYSIOS, they have their own ego issues like why me types or government services holder which sticks to their jobs.
Over all no one have the time to think about the noble profession that is why nurses calling us physiotherapy wala.