Physiotherapy vs. physical therapy: What’s the difference?

When you’re looking for a physical therapist or a physiotherapist near you to book an appointment for pain or injury recovery, you wonder what the difference is between physiotherapy and physical therapy. Simply, there is no difference outside terminology. In practice, physiotherapy is the same as physical therapy.

In most cases, the terms are used interchangeably. But behind the language are decades of evolving practices and a shared commitment to helping people move better, feel stronger, and live with less pain. Understanding the origins, similarities, and applications of physiotherapy and physical therapy can help you make smarter, more informed decisions about your health. Let's explore how the terms developed, what they mean today, and how to choose the right kind of care based on your needs.

The origins of physiotherapy and physical therapy

The practice of using movement and manual techniques to treat illness and injury dates back thousands of years, but the modern professions of physiotherapy and physical therapy began to take shape in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

Physiotherapy (common in Canada, UK, Europe, and abroad): this term originated in Europe and became the dominant term in countries like the United Kingdom, Canada, and Australia. 

Physical Therapy (common default in the US): in contrast, the term “physical therapy” gained traction in the United States, particularly as the profession formalized during and after World War I to treat injured soldiers.

Despite these geographic and linguistic differences, both terms describe the same essential practice with three overarching goals: 

• restoring function
• managing pain
• promoting movement

Are physiotherapy and physical therapy the same thing?

Yes, functionally and clinically, physiotherapy and physical therapy are the same. 

Both involve a licensed healthcare professional working with individuals to address pain, mobility limitations, injuries, and physical impairments. Treatment plans are typically personalized and may include guided exercises, manual therapy, posture correction, education, and ongoing progress assessments.

There’s one thing that matters much more than this terminology. Quality of care. Whether you see a physiotherapist in London or a physical therapist in Chicago, the foundation of your care should be similar: evidence-based techniques, movement-focused interventions, and a shared goal of restoring physical function and reducing discomfort.

When you might hear physio in some places and physical therapist in others

Today, most English-speaking countries recognize that the terms are functionally identical, with no formal distinction in care goals or clinical scope.

While the services provided are the same, the terminology often varies by location. In the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, and parts of Asia and Europe, “physiotherapy” and “physiotherapist” are the standard terms. In the United States and Canada, “physical therapy” and “physical therapist” are far more common. These differences reflect historical preferences, not clinical distinctions.

Sometimes, professional associations or licensing boards will favor one term over the other. For example, in the U.S., the governing body is the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA). In the U.K., it’s the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy (CSP). The roles, qualifications, and treatment models are remarkably similar across countries.

Looking for a physio or physical therapist near you?

Firstly, don't worry about the terms, instead you should consider the credentials, experience, and approach of the provider or program to inform your decision.

Also, Sword's Thrive digital physical therapy offers you a flexible alternative with 24/7 access to a personalized care program from the comfort of your home. In fact, over 500,000 people are using Sword programs to recover from home, with coverage through their employer, health insurer, or union. Before you start looking for the best physical therapist in your area, check your eligibility for Sword's virtual physical therapy.

Thrive's digital physical therapy gives you expert care from home

If pain, injury, or mobility issues are holding you back, you don’t need to keep searching for a physical therapist near you. Sword Thrive brings expert care directly to your home. That means you don;t have to schedule regular appointments, you don't need referrals, and you don't have to travel to a clinic.

You get 24/7 access to a personalized care plan developed by a matched Doctor of Physical Therapy. Thrive combines clinical expertise with FDA-listed motion technology to deliver personalized, guided recovery programs. Each plan is built around your pain, lifestyle, and goals, and evolves as you progress.

Why over 500,000 people choose Thrive

• You can enroll in 15 minutes or less
• 24/7 access to a Doctor of Physical Therapy
• Personalized recovery plans that adapt to you
• Clinically-proven care to reduce back, joint, and muscle pain
• FDA-listed medical device technology and HIPAA-compliant platform

You might already be covered by your health insurance plan. You can check your eligibility for Thrive in just a few moments and get started right away.

What a physical therapist or physio treats

Both physical therapists and physiotherapists (or a 'physio' for short) address a wide range of health concerns that limit mobility, cause pain, or impact quality of life. These may include:

• recovery from orthopedic surgery
• rehabilitation following a sports injury
• managing chronic back or joint pain
• regaining balance or strength after a period of inactivity
• prehabilitation or injury prevention
• improving mobility or weakness

However, orthopedic conditions are not the only issues where a physio can help. Physiotherapy and PT can also support with aspects of recovery from cardiovascular disease, vertigo, neuromuscular conditions like stroke, spinal cord injuries, brain injuries, concussions, multiple sclerosis, and ALS, just to name a few. What’s often less discussed is the preventive side of care. 

You don’t need to wait for something to go wrong to benefit from therapy. Many people use physical therapy proactively to improve posture, counteract sedentary habits, build stability, or address minor discomfort before it escalates into something more serious. Many amateur and professional athletes alike use physical therapy or physiotherapy programs to pre-habilitate or to prevent injuries. 

Because physical therapy or physiotherapy spans both treatment and prevention, it's helpful to think about different care paths based on the nature of your condition. For those recovering from surgery or managing a diagnosed musculoskeletal condition like herniated discs, sciatica, or post-operative pain, a structured program that includes clinical oversight, frequent evaluations, and progressive rehabilitation is critical.

What to expect from a physical therapy program

If you’ve never gone through a therapy program before, you might wonder what it looks like day-to-day.

1. Evaluation: While individual plans differ, the experience typically begins with an evaluation. A licensed physical therapist will ask about your symptoms, activity level, health history, and goals. This assessment may include range-of-motion tests, strength evaluations, and movement screenings.
2. Recovery plan: Your physical therapist will create a care plan designed to address your specific challenges. This plan might include therapeutic exercises to build strength and flexibility, education to improve posture and body mechanics, and techniques to reduce pain, such as manual therapy or neuromuscular re-education.
3. Consistent sessions with progression: Consistency is the backbone of successful therapy. Recovery is not as easy as completing a few exercises once or twice. Commitment to sticking with a program over time drives lasting success.
4. Ongoing care and support: The best programs have the support of a caring and experienced clinician who can adjust your exercises according to your progress. 

Travel time, busy traffic, clinic opening hours, or even the difficulty of fitting appointments into a busy schedule can put a strain on progress. Digital physical therapy removes these access barriers, meaning people can complete their recovery program wherever they want and whenever they want.

It’s not about the term, it’s about the care

By now, it should be clear that physiotherapy and physical therapy are two names for the same kind of care. The difference lies in geography, not in treatment quality or outcomes. What really matters is whether the care is tailored to your needs, delivered by qualified professionals, and supported by a plan that fits your life.

As the science of movement has advanced, so too has the personalization of care. No two people experience pain or recovery the same way, which is why modern physical therapy programs tailor treatment to each individual’s needs, goals, and circumstances. Whether delivered in person or digitally, the right therapy can help restore confidence in your body and reduce the fear of movement that often comes with pain.

Whether you're recovering from surgery, managing everyday pain, or trying to stay ahead of future issues, understanding your options empowers you to make the best choice for your body and your health.

Ready to take control of your recovery?

Digital physical therapy can meet you where you are, whether you’re managing a condition or just hoping to move through life more freely. 

Take the next step in your recovery by checking your eligibility to see what care might be available through your employer or health plan. You might already be covered to use Sword Health without any out of pocket fees.