What is the difference between a physiotherapist and a physical therapist?

Physiotherapists and physical therapists both help people recover from injury, illness, or disability through exercise, manual therapy, and education. However, physiotherapists focus on a holistic approach to healing, using a hands-on approach with soft tissue and fascial releases, while physical therapists use a more exercise-based approach. Physiotherapy is often used in hospital-based settings, while physical therapy is more commonly used for non-threatening injuries. Becoming a physiotherapist requires a four-year bachelor‘s degree, while becoming a physical therapist requires a Doctor of Physical Therapy degree, which can take up to eight years to complete.