Physiotherapists
What physiotherapists do, how they are registered in the UK, how to check a registration, and NHS and private routes. General information only, not personal advice.
What Physiotherapists Do
Physiotherapists — movement, pain and physical wellbeing, including in mental health
Physiotherapists help people affected by injury, illness or disability through movement and exercise, manual therapy, education and advice, so they can manage pain and stay as active and independent as possible. Their work is closely linked with mental health: long-term pain, tiredness and low mood often go together, and physical activity planned around what a person can manage can ease stress, improve sleep and rebuild confidence in the body. Physiotherapists in mental health services support people with anxiety, depression, trauma, eating disorders and severe mental illness, often with body awareness, breathing and graded activity, and they help people living with persistent pain or fatigue. A first appointment usually involves talking through what is happening and a physical assessment, followed by a plan agreed together. Physiotherapists work in the NHS, community and hospital teams, sport, workplaces and independent practice.
Registration and Titles
Protected title: Physiotherapist — must be on the Health and Care Professions Council register. The Chartered Society of Physiotherapy is the professional body.
How to Check a Registration
Search the register for the person’s name and check the entry says Physiotherapist, with no current conditions on practice.
Our guide on how to check a register explains what to look for. Every practitioner on Therapist Circle shows their register and number on their profile so you can check it yourself.
NHS and Other Routes
Many areas in England let you refer yourself to NHS physiotherapy for muscle and joint problems, and your GP can also refer you. Physiotherapists also work in hospitals, community teams and some mental health services. Check your GP practice or local NHS website for how self-referral works in your area.
See finding NHS support and free and low-cost therapy for more routes.
Private Sessions and Fees
Private fees vary by area, experience, session length and setting, so ask each practitioner for their fee, cancellation terms and any reduced-fee places before booking. Our guide to fees, private practice and NHS routes explains what to ask.
Questions to Ask Before You Start
- Which register are you on, and what is your registration number?
- What experience do you have with the kind of difficulty I have?
- How long are sessions, how often, and what do they cost?
- Do you offer online, phone or in-person sessions?
Find Physiotherapists
Other Professions
Informed by: Chartered Society of Physiotherapy · Health and Care Professions Council. Not affiliated with any professional body. If you need urgent help, call NHS 111, Samaritans free on 116 123, or 999 if life is at risk.