Physiotherapy (also Physical Therapy) is a health care profession concerned with human function and movement and maximizing potential. It uses physical approaches to promote, maintain and restore physical, psychological and social well-being, taking account of variations in health status.  It is science-based, committed to extending, applying, evaluating and reviewing the evidence that underpins and informs its practice and delivery.  The exercise of clinical judgment and informed interpretation is at its core [1].

Physiotherapists and Physical Therapists (PTs) work in a wide variety of health settings to improve a broad range of physical problems associated with different 'systems' of the body. In particular they treat neuromuscular (brain and nervous system),musculoskeletal (soft tissues, joints and bones), cardiovascular and respiratory systems (heart and lungs and associated physiology).

Physiotherapists work autonomously, often as a member of a team with other health or social care professionals. Reflective behavior and systematic clinical reasoning, both contributing to and underpinning a problem-solving approach to patient-centered care, characterize physiotherapy practice.

Doctors or other health and social care professionals often refer people for physiotherapy. Increasingly, as a result of changes in health care, people are referring themselves directly to physiotherapists without previously seeing any other health care professional.

^ Description of Physical Therapy – The World Confederation for Physical Therapy (WCPT)