Manual therapy & rehab

Physiotherapy

กายภาพบำบัด

A licensed health profession that helps people develop, keep or regain movement and function through exercise, hands-on therapy and advice.

IntensityModerate

Origin

Europe (Sweden, United Kingdom)

History

Roots in early 19th-century Sweden; an organised profession since the 1890s

Licence in Thailand

Required

Where it comes from

Using movement, rubbing and water to heal is very old, but physiotherapy as a profession has more recent roots. In Sweden, Per Henrik Ling founded the Royal Central Institute of Gymnastics in 1813, teaching exercise and manual techniques; it is often cited as one of the earliest professional origins of the field. In the United Kingdom, four nurses founded what became the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy in 1894.

The profession grew quickly in the early 20th century, notably with the care of polio patients and of soldiers injured in the First World War. The World Confederation for Physical Therapy was founded in 1951 and has used the name World Physiotherapy since 2020.

In Thailand, physical therapy developed in hospitals after the Second World War. The first Thai physical therapy school opened in 1965 at Siriraj Hospital's Faculty of Medicine; it later became today's Faculty of Physical Therapy at Mahidol University.

The principle

According to World Physiotherapy, physiotherapists help people "develop, maintain and restore maximum movement and functional ability". They assess you, make a diagnosis and a plan, treat, check results and teach you how to manage on your own, and they refer you to other professionals when needed.

The main tools are exercise and movement, manual therapy (the physiotherapist uses their hands to mobilise joints and soft tissues) and education. Some also use devices such as ultrasound, electrical stimulation (TENS) or water-based exercise. The World Health Organization counts physiotherapists as a core part of rehabilitation, which it describes as a set of interventions to optimise functioning and reduce disability.

What people come for

Back, neck, joint and muscle problems
Recovery after an injury, a fracture or surgery
Regaining movement and balance after a stroke or other neurological condition
Breathing problems such as asthma or COPD
Pregnancy-related aches and pelvic health
Staying active and independent with age

How it works on the body

Physiotherapy works through movement: it aims to improve how muscles, joints, nerves, heart and lungs work together in daily life.

A session, step by step

01
Conversation
The physiotherapist asks about your symptoms, medical history, daily activities and goals.
02
Assessment
They may look at how you move, feel the painful area and test strength, flexibility and balance.
03
Plan
They explain what they found, discuss treatment options and estimate how many sessions you may need.
04
Treatment
A session can combine exercises, hands-on therapy and sometimes devices, depending on the problem.
05
Home programme
You usually leave with exercises to do at home; doing them regularly is a big part of progress.

Precautions

Tell the physiotherapist about all your medical conditions, recent surgery and medicines, so exercises and techniques can be adapted.
After a serious injury (for example a suspected fracture or head injury), see a doctor first.
Seek urgent medical care, not physiotherapy, for chest pain, sudden weakness or numbness, loss of bladder or bowel control, or pain with fever.
Some soreness after new exercises is common; sharp or worsening pain should be reported.
If symptoms do not improve or keep coming back, go back to your doctor.

Complementary practice: does not replace medical advice.

In Thailand

Physical therapy is a regulated profession in Thailand under the Physical Therapy Profession Act B.E. 2547 (2004). To practise, physiotherapists need at least a four-year bachelor's degree from a programme accredited by the Physical Therapy Council, must pass the Council's national licensing examination, and must complete continuing education to renew their registration. The title is protected by law, and licensed therapists may use the prefix "กภ." before their name. Thai law allows patients to see a physiotherapist directly, without a doctor's referral, and physiotherapists can work in private practice. World Physiotherapy estimates around 16,850 practising physiotherapists in Thailand.

Read the full guide →

Frequently asked questions

Do I need a doctor's referral?

Not necessarily. In Thailand you can consult a licensed physiotherapist directly. Your doctor's notes or scans can still be useful to bring.

What is the difference with a massage?

A physiotherapist is a licensed health professional who assesses and diagnoses movement problems. Hands-on work may be part of care, but exercise and advice are usually central.

What should I wear?

Comfortable clothes that let you move and that give access to the area to be examined, such as shorts for a knee problem.

How can I check that a physiotherapist is licensed?

Licensed physiotherapists in Thailand are registered with the Physical Therapy Council and may use the title "กภ.". You can ask to see their licence.

Also in Manual therapy & rehab

On pranathai

Find a Physiotherapy practitioner

No practitioner of this discipline on pranathai yet. Are you a practitioner here? Create your free page