Physiotherapy vs. Physical Therapy: What’s the Difference?

When you have an injury or weakness that you want to overcome, you should follow the advice of a trained professional in safe movement to avoid further aggravating your body and causing lasting harm. There’s one crucial question: What kind of trained professional should you consult?

There are two main therapies associated with recovery: physiotherapy and physical therapy. The names sound alike, and many use the terms interchangeably, but in truth there are small differences between the two that can impact type and quality of care. Here’s what you should know before making a decision about your body and wellness.

What Is Physiotherapy?

The Oxford Learner’s Dictionary definition of physiotherapy states that it is “​the treatment of disease, injury or weakness in the joints or muscles by exercises, massage and the use of light and heat.” In practice, physiotherapy tends to be associated with gentler, more hands-on treatments — like massage, as mentioned in the definition, but also like assisted stretching and manual joint mobilization.

Often, physiotherapists work in hospital settings alongside doctors, and they often see a large number of patients with a wide variety of ailments. In some countries, physiotherapy requires more education and credentials than physical therapy because physiotherapists more often see patients with more severe injuries or conditions — but this is not yet true in the United States.

What Is Physical Therapy?

In contrast, the Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines physical therapy as “therapy for the preservation, enhancement or restoration of movement and physical function impaired or threatened by disease injury or disability that utilizes therapeutic exercise, physical modalities, assistive devices and patient education and training.” It sounds like a more verbose way of describing the same practices as physiotherapy — because it by and large is.

There is some connotative expectation that physical therapy adopts an exercise-focused approach to therapy, training patients’ strength, flexibility and balance. Physical trainers also often have their own practices or work within other doctors’ private practices, especially within chiropractic offices. This means physical therapists typically have smaller patient loads than physiotherapists, and they typically see much less severe injuries or health conditions.

How Are They Similar?

As mentioned above, in the United States, there isn’t much technical difference between physiotherapists and physical therapists. Both professional titles require a Doctor of Physical Therapy, state licensing, residency and board certification — though one might get started in the field with as little as a PTA associates degree. The careers are so similar that physiotherapists and physical therapists might jump from one title to the other when attractive opportunities open up.

While there might be minor differences between the terms “physiotherapy” and “physical therapy” within the field, usage of the terms is primarily a regional preference. Some parts of the country prefer to call these professionals “physios,” whereas others more often utilize “physical therapists” or “PTs.” Most often, American physiotherapists and physical therapists won’t be offended if you use the wrong title when describing or addressing them.

Bonus: What Are Occupational Therapy, Osteopathy and Chiropractic Treatment?

There are a number of fields closely associated with physical therapy that have slight differences in goals and treatment methods. Here’s a quick rundown of what they are and how they differ from physical therapy:

Occupational therapy works to return a patient suffering from an injury or another ailment back to something resembling regular life. Using physical rehabilitation methods as well as wellness promotion and counseling, OTs strive to prepare their patients for the activities of daily living.

Osteopathic medicine is similar to physiotherapy in that osteopaths are trained to work primarily with their hands to realign bones, muscles and other soft tissues. The term “osteopath” is rare in the United States; it is much more common in other countries, particularly the U.K., Ireland and Australia.

Chiropractors tend to focus on specific areas of movement and pain, like the neck and back, and like osteopaths, they primarily use their hands to manipulate the body and encourage healing. Chiropractors might employ massage, but they will most often outsource other treatments, like exercise, to physical therapists.

Physical therapy is a wide field, and it is important to find the right care provider for your needs. You should talk to your primary care physician to better understand how different types of therapists might serve your health and wellness goals.