Physiotherapy (Physical Therapy) in New Zealand
Physiotherapists help people move and participate in life and in their communities, especially when movement and function are threatened by ageing, injury, disability or disease.
Physiotherapists are involved in health promotion, injury prevention, treatment and rehabilitation.
After assessing a patient’s potential for movement and function, the physiotherapist establishes (together with the patient, whanau/family and caregivers) treatment goals designed to restore or develop that potential, and then maintain it.
The physiotherapy process involves assessment, diagnosis, planning, intervention, treatment or rehabilitation. Physiotherapy is provided in a variety of settings.
Click here to view our Bulletin which presents physiotherapy research aimed at improving health outcomes for all New Zealanders
In New Zealand, it is a requirement under the Health Practitioners Competence Assurance Act for all physiotherapists to be registered with the Physiotherapy Board of New Zealand, which ensures that they meet the competencies required to practise physiotherapy and monitors their ongoing competence.
Note that, in some parts of the world, physiotherapy is called physical therapy and physiotherapists are called physical therapists.