Physiotherapy is one profession with many areas of focus. A physiotherapist who treats a stroke survivor does different work from one who treats a runner with a sore knee. Both are registered physiotherapists. They use different tests, exercises, and goals.
This guide covers eight common types of care. Clinics name and group them in their own ways, so the labels on a website may differ a little. The problem you want help with matters more than the label.
Musculoskeletal care
This is the type most people picture. It covers muscles, joints, bones, ligaments, and tendons. Common problems include low back pain, neck pain, shoulder pain, knee pain, sprained ankles, and tendon irritation. It also covers recovery after a broken bone once the cast or brace comes off.
Treatment often mixes hands-on work, targeted exercise, and advice on how to move and rest during the day. Some clinics call this orthopedic physiotherapy.
Sports injury care
Sports physiotherapy treats injuries from training and competition. The aim is to get you back to your sport, not just out of pain. The physiotherapist may test jumping, running, throwing, or lifting. They may also look at how much training you do each week and how fast it grew.
This care is not only for elite athletes. A weekend hockey player, a trail runner, and a person who just started lifting weights can all use it.
Neurological care
Neurological physiotherapy helps people whose nervous system affects how they move. This includes stroke, spinal cord injury, brain injury, multiple sclerosis, and Parkinson’s disease. The work centers on walking, balance, strength, and daily tasks like getting out of a chair.
Sessions can run longer and last over many months. Family members are often part of the plan, because practice at home matters.
Pelvic health care
Pelvic health physiotherapists treat the muscles that support the bladder, bowel, and uterus. People seek this care for leaking urine, pelvic pain, pain during sex, or problems after childbirth. It also helps some people before and after pelvic surgery.
These physiotherapists have extra training. An internal exam is one possible tool, but it needs your clear consent. You can say no, ask for another approach, or stop at any time.
Vestibular care
The vestibular system is in the inner ear. It helps you keep your balance. When it does not work well, you may feel dizzy, feel the room spin, or feel unsteady when you turn your head.
A vestibular physiotherapist tests eye movements and balance to find the cause. Some types of vertigo respond to a set of head movements done in the clinic. Other problems need a program of exercises that retrain balance. A doctor should check sudden dizziness with other symptoms, such as a severe headache or trouble speaking.
Cardiorespiratory care
This area helps people with heart and lung conditions. It includes chronic lung disease, recovery after heart or chest surgery, and breathing problems after a long illness. The physiotherapist teaches breathing techniques, builds up safe levels of exercise, and watches how your body responds.
Much of this care happens in hospitals and rehabilitation programs. Some private clinics offer it too.
Pediatric care
Children are not small adults. Pediatric physiotherapists work with babies, children, and teens. They help with delays in rolling, crawling, or walking. They also treat conditions such as cerebral palsy, a tight neck muscle in infants, and sports injuries in growing bodies.
Play is part of the treatment. Parents learn the exercises and practice them at home.
Older adult care
Geriatric physiotherapy focuses on mobility, strength, and fall prevention for older adults. Common reasons to book include arthritis, a recent fall, weakness after a hospital stay, and fear of falling. The physiotherapist tests balance and walking speed, then builds an exercise plan. They may also review the home for risks and suggest a cane or walker.
How to match your problem to a type
Start with your main complaint. Write it in one sentence, such as “my right knee hurts when I go down stairs” or “I feel dizzy when I roll over in bed.” Then use these steps.
- Find the type above that fits your sentence.
- Call the clinic and describe the problem in the same words.
- Ask whether a physiotherapist there treats this problem often.
- Ask what extra training that person has in the area.
- Ask what a first visit will include.
A general clinic can handle many musculoskeletal problems. A less common problem, such as pelvic pain or vertigo, is worth a call before you book. Not every clinic offers it, and the right physiotherapist may work across town.
If one visit shows the problem needs another kind of care, a good physiotherapist will say so. They may refer you to a colleague or to a doctor.
Check registration and costs first
Whatever the type, confirm the physiotherapist is registered. In BC, the College of Health and Care Professionals of BC keeps the online register. Insurance rules, fees, and referral questions are the same across types. Our guide on whether you need a referral to see a physiotherapist in BC covers them step by step.
Finding care by region
Specialized care is not spread evenly across British Columbia. Larger cities tend to have more clinics with a narrow focus. Smaller communities may have one clinic that treats many kinds of problems, or may have none close by. Some clinics and programs offer virtual visits for follow-up, but ask whether your problem suits a video visit.
Physio List is a new directory of BC physiotherapists. It sorts care by type and by the six tourism regions of the province: Vancouver Island, Vancouver, Coast and Mountains, Thompson Okanagan, Kootenay Rockies, Cariboo Chilcotin Coast, and Northern BC. Listings are still being added.
Keep looking around
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