17/12/2025
Difference between Physiotherapy and Sports Therapy;
Physiotherapy
Focus:
Diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of injury, pain, and movement disorders across all populations.
Who it’s for:
Everyone — children, adults, elderly, people with disabilities, post-surgery patients, neurological conditions, chronic illnesses, and athletes.
Common conditions treated:
Back and neck pain
Stroke, Parkinson’s, MS
Post-operative rehabilitation
Arthritis
Respiratory and cardiac conditions
Sports injuries
Training & regulation:
University degree (usually 3–4 years)
Legally regulated healthcare profession in many countries
Can work in hospitals, clinics, community care, private practice
What they can do:
Diagnose movement dysfunction
Create long-term rehab plans
Work in multidisciplinary medical teams
Refer to or from doctors
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Sports Therapy
Focus:
Prevention, diagnosis, and rehabilitation of sports- and exercise-related injuries.
Who it’s for:
Primarily physically active individuals and athletes.
Common conditions treated:
Muscle strains and ligament sprains
Tendon injuries
Overuse injuries (e.g. runner’s knee, tennis elbow)
Return-to-sport rehabilitation
Injury prevention and performance support
Training & regulation:
Degree or diploma (often sports science–based)
Not always a regulated medical profession (depends on country)
Often works in gyms, sports clubs, teams, private practice
What they can do:
Assess musculoskeletal injuries
Provide rehab, taping, massage, exercise programs
Focus on performance and safe return to sport