What is physical therapy (physiotherapy) and how does it work?

Physical therapy, also referred to as physiotherapy, is a healthcare specialty focused on restoring movement, function, and overall well-being. Whether you are recovering from an injury, managing a chronic condition, or simply looking to improve your physical performance, physical therapy offers a pathway to feeling better and moving with more confidence.

At its core, physical therapy uses movement to help you regain function and improve your quality of life. Think of it this way: If medical doctors add days to your life, physical therapists are here to add life to your days. This captures the heart of physical therapy: helping you move better so you can get back to doing what brings you joy — whether that’s playing with your grandkids or staying active in your favorite sports — without pain getting in the way.

Physical therapists are licensed experts dedicated to helping you move and feel your best. Through exercise, hands-on care, and education, they work with people of all ages to treat injuries and manage pain. Knowing what to expect from physical therapy can help you take charge of your recovery and get back to the life you love.

Here's a closer look at physical therapy: what it is, its benefits, and how to improve your movement health, including advice from Hinge Health physical therapists.

Physical therapy, also referred to as physiotherapy, is a healthcare specialty focused on restoring movement, function, and overall well-being. Whether you are recovering from an injury, managing a chronic condition, or simply looking to improve your physical performance, physical therapy offers a pathway to feeling better and moving with more confidence.

At its core, physical therapy uses movement to help you regain function and improve your quality of life. Think of it this way: If medical doctors add days to your life, physical therapists are here to add life to your days. This captures the heart of physical therapy: helping you move better so you can get back to doing what brings you joy — whether that’s playing with your grandkids or staying active in your favorite sports — without pain getting in the way.

Physical therapists are licensed experts dedicated to helping you move and feel your best. Through exercise, hands-on care, and education, they work with people of all ages to treat injuries and manage pain. Knowing what to expect from physical therapy can help you take charge of your recovery and get back to the life you love.

Here's a closer look at physical therapy: what it is, its benefits, and how to improve your movement health, including advice from Hinge Health physical therapists.

What is physical therapy?

Physical therapy is a healthcare profession that treats people of all ages who have medical or health-related conditions that limit their abilities to move and perform activities in their daily lives.

Treatment plans are highly personalized and typically involve a combination of techniques:

• Targeted exercises. This is the cornerstone of physical therapy. It involves specific movements designed to strengthen muscles, improve flexibility, and restore range of motion.

• Patient education. Physical therapists teach you about your condition, how to move safely, and how to prevent future injuries.

• Other therapies. These treatments include the use of physical stimuli, such as heat, cold, or electrical stimulation, used to relieve pain and prepare the body for movement.

• Manual therapy. This includes hands-on techniques where the physical therapist moves your joints and soft tissues to reduce pain and increase circulation.

What is a physical therapist?

A physical therapist (PT) is a healthcare professional who helps people recover from injury, surgery, or chronic pain, focusing on restoring mobility, building strength, and optimizing physical function. PTs are specially trained through rigorous education and clinical experience: the current standard is to complete an undergraduate program followed by a three-year Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) degree. This advanced training equips them to assess movement, design individualized treatment plans, and guide safe recovery for a wide range of conditions.

Hinge Health’s approach to physical therapy

In digital musculoskeletal (MSK) care, such as the programs offered by Hinge Health, physical therapy is delivered through an app, making it accessible from home. Members benefit from a combination of expert clinical guidance and advanced technology. This comprehensive care includes: 

• Exercise therapy. Personalized exercise sessions are delivered digitally, allowing you to perform therapeutic movements at a time that works for you.

• Education. Your care team teaches you about your condition and pain management strategies, empowering you to take an active role in your recovery. The Hinge Health app contains tailored educational content about managing pain and making healthy lifestyle changes. 

• Enso. For pain relief, Hinge Health offers Enso, a wearable device that delivers gentle impulses to block pain signals. Unlike traditional TENS units, Enso is wireless, controlled via a smartphone, and can be worn during daily activities.

• Care team approach. Hinge Health provides the support of a dedicated care team, which may include a health coach. While physical therapists focus on the clinical aspects of your recovery, health coaches provide motivation, accountability, and support to help you stick to your goals and build healthy habits.

Differences between physical and occupational therapy

While physical therapy (PT) and occupational therapy (OT) are often mentioned together and can overlap, they focus on different aspects of recovery. Both professions aim to improve your quality of life, but they approach it from different angles. 

• Physical therapy focuses on movement. PT generally targets "gross motor" function — large movements involving the whole body or major muscle groups. The goal is to help you move better, whether that means walking without pain, standing up from a chair, or recovering strength after surgery.

• Occupational therapy focuses on daily activities. OT emphasizes "activities of daily living" (ADLs) and fine motor skills. An occupational therapist helps you perform specific tasks necessary for independence, such as buttoning a shirt, using eating utensils, bathing, or writing. 

There is often a "gray area" where these disciplines intersect. For example, the ability to stand up from a chair is a functional movement (PT territory) but also an essential daily activity (OT territory). In many settings, PTs and OTs work collaboratively to ensure a patient can both move their body effectively and perform the specific tasks required for their daily life.

What does physical therapy treat?

Physical therapy addresses a wide range of health conditions affecting different systems of the body, including musculoskeletal pain, overuse injuries, pelvic health issues, post-surgical recovery, neurological conditions, and chronic illnesses. Here’s more about some of the most common conditions treated:

• Musculoskeletal issues. This is the most well-known area of physical therapy. It covers a wide range of conditions, from spinal issues like sciatica, herniated discs, lower back pain, and neck pain to sports and overuse injuries like tennis elbow and shin splints.

Physical therapists also help manage joint pain (such as hip and knee pain), sprains and strains, and arthritis. By using tools like exercise therapy and massage, they help you improve your movement patterns and safely return to the activities you love.

• Pelvic health issues. Physical therapy is highly effective for treating pelvic floor dysfunction, including urinary incontinence, pelvic pain, and symptoms related to pregnancy, childbirth, and menopause. It can help strengthen pelvic floor muscles and improve bowel and bladder control.

• Post-surgical rehabilitation. Muscles can be affected by surgeries like joint replacements, ligament repairs, or tendon surgeries. Physical therapy is key for restoring strength, range of motion, and function, helping you return to your normal activities safely.

• Neurological conditions. PT plays a vital role in managing conditions that affect the nervous system, such as stroke, Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis, and vertigo. Treatment focuses on improving balance, coordination, and gait to prevent falls and maintain independence.

• Chronic conditions. For ongoing health issues like chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), heart disease, or chronic pain syndromes, physical therapy helps manage symptoms and improve endurance. It can also be beneficial for managing conditions like Alzheimer's and dementia by keeping people physically active and mobile.

Types of physical therapy

Just as doctors specialize in different areas of medicine, physical therapists often specialize in specific types of care — including orthopedic, pelvic floor, neurological, cardiovascular, pulmonary, pediatric, and geriatric physical therapy — to better treat a wide variety of patient populations. Here’s more about common physical therapy specialties:

• Orthopedic physical therapy. This specialty focuses on the musculoskeletal system, including bones, muscles, ligaments, and joints. It is the type of PT most people encounter for injuries, post-surgery rehab, and general pain management.

• Pelvic floor physical therapy. This specialty addresses dysfunction in the pelvic floor muscles. It is effective for treating incontinence, pelvic organ prolapse, and pelvic pain.

• Neurological physical therapy. Specialized for people with neurological disorders, this type of therapy focuses on retraining the brain and body to work together, helping patients regain movement and independence.

• Cardiovascular and pulmonary physical therapy. This area focuses on helping people with heart and lung conditions, such as heart failure or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Therapists help patients improve their endurance and functional independence through monitored exercise programs.

• Pediatric and geriatric physical therapy. These specialties cater to specific age groups. Pediatric PTs treat children with injuries, medical or congenital conditions, or developmental delays, while geriatric PTs focus on the unique needs of older adults, such as fall prevention, arthritis management, and maintaining mobility.

Where do you get physical therapy?

Physical therapy is provided in a wide variety of settings, including clinics and hospitals, specialized rehabilitation centers, in-home services, and online options, making it accessible to people with different needs and lifestyles.

• Clinics and hospitals. Many physical therapists work in outpatient clinics or hospital-based rehabilitation centers. These settings often have specialized equipment for varied treatments.

• Specialized rehabilitation centers. For more intensive recovery, such as after a stroke or major trauma, patients may stay in inpatient rehabilitation facilities where they receive daily therapy.

• In-home service. Home health physical therapists travel to patients' homes. This is particularly beneficial for individuals who are homebound or have difficulty traveling to a clinic.

• Telehealth and online options. Digital physical therapy has become a convenient and effective way to access care. Programs like Hinge Health allow you to connect with a physical therapist via video visits and app-based messaging. This "PT in your pocket" approach allows you to get answers to questions quickly, perform exercises in the comfort of your own home, and avoid the logistics of scheduling in-person appointments.

What can physical therapists do?

Physical therapists are highly trained healthcare professionals who act as partners in your health journey. Their scope of practice includes several key capabilities, such as assessing movement, evaluating conditions and symptoms, developing personalized treatment plans, guiding exercises, performing manual therapies, and providing other pain management techniques. Here’s how PTs apply these different skills to support your care:

• Assess movement patterns. PTs observe how you move — walking, sitting, standing, and lifting — to identify imbalances, weaknesses, or compensations that may be contributing to your pain and functional limitations.

• Assess conditions and symptoms. While medical doctors typically provide the formal medical diagnosis, physical therapists are experts at assessing how a condition affects your physical function. They evaluate your symptoms and functional limitations to create a management plan.

• Develop personalized treatment plans. Based on their assessment, PTs create a tailored "game plan" to help you achieve your specific goals, whether that’s returning to recreational activities or simply walking without pain.

• Guide exercises. They teach you the correct form for targeted exercises, ensuring you target the right muscles safely and effectively.

• Perform manual therapies. PTs sometimes use hands-on techniques to mobilize stiff joints and release tight muscles, which can help reduce pain and improve range of motion.

• Provide other therapies. Physical therapists may also use dry needling (using thin needles to release muscle knots), TENS (transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation) therapy, or other treatments to help manage pain.

Benefits of physical therapy

Participating in physical therapy can offer pain relief without medication, improve mobility and flexibility, speed up recovery after injuries or surgery, help prevent future problems, and enhance overall strength and balance. Here’s how these benefits can make a difference in your care:

• Pain relief without medication. Through exercise, manual therapy, and non-invasive treatments like Enso, physical therapy can significantly reduce pain. For example, Hinge Health members report an average 68% reduction in pain within the first 12 weeks of their program, according to a study of participants with chronic knee and back pain.

• Improved mobility and flexibility. Stretching and strengthening exercises help loosen stiff joints and muscles, making daily movements easier and more fluid.

• Faster recovery from injuries or surgeries. Targeted rehabilitation helps tissues heal and prevents muscle atrophy, speeding up your return to normal activities.

• Prevention of future problems. By identifying and addressing movement patterns, physical therapy can help prevent injuries from recurring. It teaches you how to move comfortably during daily tasks.

• Enhanced strength and balance. Strengthening exercises support your joints, while balance training reduces the risk of falls, particularly in older adults.

What to expect in physical therapy

Physical therapy is a collaborative process that begins with a thorough assessment and leads to a personalized treatment plan, regular home exercises, and ongoing progress tracking — all designed to help you reach your goals and regain independence. Here’s what you can typically expect during your physical therapy experience:

• Initial assessment. Whether in a clinic or virtually, physical therapy visits begin with a thorough health history and an assessment of your movement, strength, and function along with a discussion of your goals.

• Customized treatment plan. You and your physical therapist will co-create a personalized plan designed to restore movement and help you reach your goals. Treatment often includes targeted exercises, education, and — when appropriate — manual therapy, or guidance on self-mobilization or soft-tissue techniques.

• Home exercise programs. A key part of PT is what you do between sessions. You will likely be given a set of exercises to do at home. Consistency with these home exercises is often the biggest driver of long-term success. This active role in recovery is a hallmark of physical therapy, and research shows that personalized, movement-based care leads to lasting improvement and better self-management. Some virtual PT programs — like Hinge Health — also offer personalized exercise sessions on demand so you can do your exercise therapy on your own whenever you want.

• Progress tracking. Over time, your therapist will monitor your progress. They will adjust your exercises and treatment intensity as you get stronger and your symptoms improve.

Physical therapy typically lasts a few weeks to a few months, with most people participating for a set period based on their goals. PT is generally focused on helping you recover and become independent with your exercises, rather than requiring ongoing long-term visits. While a few people may need longer care for ongoing issues, most complete therapy once they can maintain progress on their own.

You can see a physical therapist in person or use a program like Hinge Health, where you may access a PT via telehealth/video visit.

PT tip: Don’t hesitate to ask

“The world of physical therapy is huge, covering everything from vertigo to pelvic health,” says Aashini Govani, PT, DPT, a physical therapist at Hinge Health. "If you have pain or difficulties with movement, don't be afraid to ask, 'Can physical therapy help with this?'" says Dr. Govani. "Most of the time, the answer will be yes." Many people are surprised to learn that issues like dizziness or jaw pain can fall within the scope of physical therapy, so speaking up can open the door to relief you didn't know was possible, she explains.

How Hinge Health can help you

If you have joint or muscle pain that makes it hard to move, you can get the relief you’ve been looking for with Hinge Health’s online exercise therapy program.

The best part: You don’t have to leave your home because our program is digital. That means you can easily get the care you need through our app when and where it works for you.

Through our program, you’ll have access to therapeutic exercises and stretches for your condition. Additionally, you’ll have a personal care team to guide, support, and tailor our program to you.

See if you qualify for Hinge Health and confirm free coverage through your employer or benefit plan here.

This article and its contents are provided for educational and informational purposes only and do not constitute medical advice or professional services specific to you or your medical condition.

References

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