How to choose a physiotherapist: a practical checklist

A good physiotherapist can make a real difference to how quickly and how well you recover. But when you search, you usually find a list of names and little to go on. This checklist covers what actually matters.

1. Qualified and registered

A physiotherapist in India should have a Bachelor of Physiotherapy (BPT) degree, and many also have a master's (MPT) in an area such as orthopaedics, neurology, sports or cardiopulmonary physiotherapy. Ask for their registration number; a professional will give it readily. On PhysioDesk Reach, each clinic's page shows the physiotherapist's name and registration number.

2. Experience with your problem

Physiotherapy covers a wide range: back pain, sports injuries, recovery after surgery, stroke, problems in pregnancy, children's development. Look for someone who regularly treats problems like yours. Ask on the phone: "Do you see many patients with this?"

For example:

• after a knee or hip replacement, someone experienced in post-operative rehabilitation

• after a stroke, someone experienced in neurological physiotherapy

• a sports injury, someone who works with athletes

3. Home visit or clinic

If moving is hard (after surgery, a stroke, or for an older relative), home physiotherapy may be the better choice. Many physiotherapists visit at home, and most listed on Reach do. A clinic can offer more equipment, so for some problems it is worth the trip once you can make it. Read more in home physiotherapy or a clinic: which is right for you.

4. Clear fees

Ask what a session costs, what a home visit costs, and whether the first assessment is priced differently. A clear answer up front is a good sign. Be wary of pressure to pay for a large package before you have even been assessed.

5. Reviews from real patients

Reviews help, but read them carefully. A handful of detailed reviews describing real problems and recovery is worth more than many one-line ones. On Reach, reviews come only from people who left them on PhysioDesk, one per person, and every review counts towards the rating, even ones the clinic chooses not to display.

6. Location and timings

You are likely to need several sessions, often two or three a week at first. A physiotherapist near your home or work, with timings that suit you, makes it much easier to keep going.

Questions to ask on the phone

• Do you treat many patients with my problem?

• What does the first session include, and how long is it?

• What are your fees for a session, and for a home visit?

• Roughly how many sessions does a problem like mine usually need?

• Will I get exercises to do at home?

Signs of a good physiotherapist

• They ask you a lot of questions and examine you properly before treating.

• They explain what is wrong, in words you understand.

• They set goals with you and check your progress against them.

• They teach you exercises and expect you to do them.

• They tell you if you need to see a doctor.

Warning signs

• treatment that is only machines, every session, with no exercises or explanation

• no assessment before treatment starts

• promises of a guaranteed cure

• pressure to buy a large package up front

• no sign of improvement after several weeks, with no change of plan

Find a physiotherapist near you

Search by your area and your problem on PhysioDesk Reach. Every listing is checked before it goes live, and you contact the clinic directly, with no booking fee.

This article is general information, not medical advice.