The definition of physiotherapy by WCPT (World Confederation of Physical Therapy)
Physical therapists provide services that develop, maintain and restore people’s maximum movement and functional ability. They can help people at any stage of life, when movement and function are threatened by ageing, injury, diseases, disorders, conditions or environmental factors.

Physical therapists help people maximise their quality of life, looking at physical, psychological, emotional and social wellbeing. They work in the health spheres of promotion, prevention, treatment/intervention, habilitation and rehabilitation

Physical therapists are qualified and professionally required to:
• Undertake a comprehensive examination/assessment of the patient/client or needs of a client group
• Evaluate the findings from the examination/assessment to make clinical judgments regarding patients/clients
• Formulate a diagnosis, prognosis and plan
• Provide consultation within their expertise and determine when patients/clients need to be referred to another healthcare professional
• Implement a physical therapist intervention/treatment programme
• Determine the outcomes of any interventions/treatments
• Make recommendations for self-management.

The definition of physiotherapy by The Maharashtra state council of Occupational therapy & Physiotherapy
Physiotherapy’ is a branch of modern medical science which includes examination, assessment, interpretation, physical diagnosis, planning and execution of treatment and advice to any person for the purpose of preventing, correcting, alleviating and limiting dysfunction, acute and chronic bodily malfunction including life saving measures via chest physiotherapy in the intensive care unit, curing physical disorders or disability, promoting physical fitness, facilitating healing and pain relief and treatment of physical and psychological disorders through modulating psychological and physical response using physical agents, activities and devices including exercise, mobilization, manipulations, therapeutic ultrasound, electrical and thermal agents and electrotherapy for diagnosis, treatment and prevention.