{"id":395054,"date":"2023-12-20T11:03:42","date_gmt":"2023-12-20T16:03:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/platohealth.ai\/physiotherapy-vs-physical-therapy-how-do-they-differ\/"},"modified":"2023-12-23T19:46:53","modified_gmt":"2023-12-24T00:46:53","slug":"physiotherapy-vs-physical-therapy-how-do-they-differ","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/platohealth.ai\/physiotherapy-vs-physical-therapy-how-do-they-differ\/","title":{"rendered":"Physiotherapy Vs. Physical Therapy: How Do They Differ?","gt_translate_keys":[{"key":"rendered","format":"text"}]},"content":{"rendered":"
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Pain can be annoying\u2014 especially those that result from a sports injury, post-surgery, or simply because of old age.<\/p>\n

If you\u2019re having pain that limits your ability to do your normal work and recreational activities, then consulting with your healthcare provider is your best move. And after careful checkups, your doctor will often recommend you to do physical therapy. Or was it physiotherapy?<\/p>\n

A quick and simple online search of either \u2018physical therapy\u2019 or \u2018physiotherapy\u2019 will give you mixed results of both terms. No wonder why patients are often confused by these two terms.<\/p>\n

So, to finally end the confusion, this feature answers the following question: what\u2019s the difference between physical therapy and physiotherapy? So, keep on reading if you want to know more.<\/p>\n

Physiotherapy and Physical Therapy: Different Names For Different Countries<\/strong><\/p>\n

Is physical therapy different compared to physiotherapy?<\/p>\n

Well, that depends on the situation and who you ask. In general, the difference is just on regional terminology.<\/p>\n

If you\u2019re in the United States (U.S.), your primary physician will likely advise you to see a \u2018physical therapist.\u2019 But in other parts of the world such as Europe, Ireland, Canada, and Australia, the term \u2018physiotherapy\u2019 is mostly used. For the most part, though, both words are used interchangeably in most healthcare settings. If you\u2019re located in Canada, physiotherapy services are readily available to address a range of musculoskeletal issues, sports injuries, and physical rehabilitation needs. By seeking physiotherapy in Coquitlam<\/a>, you can benefit from the expertise of trained professionals who utilize evidence-based techniques and modalities to help restore function, alleviate pain, and improve overall mobility and well-being. This way, you can take proactive steps towards optimizing your physical health and achieving a better quality of life.<\/p>\n

But is that really just it?<\/p>\n

People often use the terms as synonyms. In most cases, it ends up being just fine and doesn\u2019t cause that much fuss. That said, even though physical therapy and physiotherapy overlap in many aspects, there are several differences between them \u2013 starting with their definitions.<\/p>\n

Defining Physiotherapy And Physical Therapy<\/strong><\/p>\n

Physical therapy is defined as medical care that aims in easing pain and helping a patient move, function, and live better.<\/p>\n

The American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) details that a physical therapist is a licensed and trained healthcare professional with experience in:<\/p>\n