The easy answer is: not much! These are two similar terms used to describe the same profession, but in different countries. The term Physical Therapist is used by our neighbours to the south, in the USA. The term Physiotherapist is used in most other countries, such as in Canada, Australia, India, and The United Kingdom.
Depending on the countries you compare, there are different levels of schooling required to be called a Physical Therapist or a Physiotherapist in a country. For our purposes, we will compare the term Physiotherapist in Canada and Physical Therapist in the USA. In Canada, Physiotherapy is a 2 year Master’s Degree, requiring your undergraduate degree prior to pursuing the postgraduate degree. In the USA, Physical Therapy is now a Clinical Doctorate degree, and is usually 3 years to complete. In both countries, there are accreditation processes that one must pass to be licensed in their province or state of practice.
Physical Therapists and Physiotherapists are both trained healthcare professionals who specialize in the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of physical impairments; they also excel at improving physical function. Physical therapists and Physiotherapists both work in a variety of settings, including hospitals, outpatient clinics, and private practices. They work with patients of all ages, from infants to elderly individuals. Physical therapists use a variety of techniques to help patients, including exercise therapy, manual therapy, electrotherapy, and education and advice.
In terms of practice, physical therapists and physiotherapists use similar techniques and approaches to help patients recover from physical impairments. The scope of practice and the types of patients they work with may vary depending on the country or state of practice.
In conclusion, physical therapists and physiotherapists are both healthcare professionals who specialize in helping patients recover from physical impairments. While there are some differences in education and terminology, they use similar techniques and approaches to help patients improve their physical function and quality of life. If you are experiencing physical impairments, seek the help of a licensed physical therapist or physiotherapist to receive appropriate treatment.
