I am often asked what the difference is between a 'Physiotherapist' and a 'Physical Therapist' and it annoys me so much that here in Ireland it takes me a while to answer, whereas in the UK, where our professional title is protected I can simply say 'they mean the same thing!' And what that is is that over there anyone using the title 'physiotherapist' and hence 'physio' or 'physical therapist' has gained an internationally recognised degree level qualification in physiotherapy (physical therapy), which covers anatomy and physiology, disease processes and the effect on the body, pharmacology, psychology, sociology and the application of clinical skills and a whole lot more. Student placements are undertaken in all areas of healthcare including musculoskeletal, neuro, cardi-respiratory, paediatrics, womens heath, rheumatology, oncology etc and they are expected to be committed to their ongoing continual professional development as part of their 'licence to practice'. In Ireland 'yer man' off the street can come at you with a wet sponge, crack your back and dish out some well meant advice and call himself a physio! I find this both frustrating and concerning! I'm not going to enter into an arrogant dialogue about 'them and us'......there's plenty of that out there, just google (second thoughts I wouldn't bother), but the message I'd rather convey is just make sure that the therapist you are seeing is legitimately what they say they are, and the safest way by far of being guaranteed that they have received a standard level of training is to always make sure your physiotherapist is 'Chartered'. All Chartered Physiotherapists are registered with the
Irish Society of Chartered Physiotherapists we have to submit details of our ongoing professional development to register and we have to be fully insured - it's for your own protection! Now, where's me wet sponge!!
