Physio

Physio, short for physiotherapy or physiotherapist, refers to a health profession focused on the evaluation, prevention, and treatment of physical impairment, disability, and pain. Practitioners aim to restore movement and function following injury, illness, or surgery, and to promote overall mobility and quality of life.

Scope of practice includes assessment of musculoskeletal, neurological, cardiopulmonary, and integumentary conditions; development of individualized treatment plans; and education for self-management. Common interventions include therapeutic exercise, manual therapy, patient education, postural retraining, gait and balance training, and modalities such as electrotherapy or heat and cold therapies. Physiotherapists also contribute to rehabilitation after stroke, spinal cord injury, arthritis, and sports injuries, and they may work in hospitals, clinics, private practices, schools, and community settings.

Education and regulation: In many countries, physiotherapists complete a bachelor's or master's degree in physiotherapy and must become registered or licensed to practice. Continuing professional development is often required to maintain credentials. The term "physio" is widely used in the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and other Commonwealth countries as shorthand for the practice or the practitioner; in the United States the term "physical therapy" is more common, with practitioners sometimes informally referred to as "PTs" or "physiotherapists."

History: The modern profession emerged in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, with roots in rehabilitation movements and physical training. It expanded alongside advances in medicine, sports science, and rehabilitation technologies. Evidence base: Physiotherapy practices are supported by research across musculoskeletal, neurological, and acute care domains, with emphasis on patient-centered outcomes and functional measures.