Physiotherapy is a healthcare profession primarily concerned with diagnosis and treatment of person's who have difficulty moving or performing functional activities because of a condition or health problem, often without drugs or even surgery. Physiotherapy is sometimes called physical therapy in other countries. A physiotherapist helps you get active and strong again if you have a health issue or disability that affects your body's functions or makes it hard for you to move around freely. They also help you prevent injuries and illnesses. Physiotherapists work in lots of different settings including hospitals, medical centres, schools, work places, communities and private clinics. Physiotherapy is a clinical health science and profession that aims to rehabilitate and improve people with movement disorders by using evidence-based, natural methods such as exercise, motivation, adapted equipment, education and advocacy. Physiotherapy is concerned with identifying and maximising quality of life and movement potential within the spheres of promotion, prevention, treatment/intervention, habitation and rehabilitation.

Physical therapy involves the interaction between therapist, patients or clients, other health care professionals, families, care givers, and communities in a process where movement potential is assessed and diagnosed and goals are agreed upon. Physical therapy is performed by a therapist and sometimes services are provided by a physical therapist assistant acting under their direction. Physical therapists and occupational therapists often work together in combination to provide treatment for patients. In some cases, physical rehabilitation technicians may provide physiotherapy services. PTs are healthcare professionals who diagnose and treat individuals of all ages, from new-borns to the very oldest, who have medical problems or other health-related conditions, illnesses, or injuries that limit their abilities to move and perform functional activities as well as they would like in their daily lives.This includes providing services in circumstances where movement and function are threatened by aging, injury, disease or environmental factors. Functional movement is central to what it means to be healthy.

Physical therapy has many specialties including sports, wound care, , cardiopulmonary, geriatrics, neurologic, orthopaedic and paediatrics. PTs practice in many settings, such as outpatient clinics or offices, health and wellness clinics, inpatient rehabilitation facilities, skilled nursing facilities, extended care facilities, private homes, education and research centres, schools, hospices, industrial and these workplaces or other occupational environments, fitness centres and sports training facilities. Education qualifications vary greatly by country. The span of education ranges from some countries having little formal education to others having doctoral degrees and post-doctoral residencies and fellowships.