The Association of Physiotherapists was founded on the 8th September in 1951. In honor, this day became the World Physiotherapy Day since 1995. This day is an opportunity for physical therapists from all over the world to raise awareness about the crucial contribution the profession makes to keeping people well, mobile and independent. In Hungary, the World Day is celebrated since 1998.

Physiotherapy is using natural physical and chemical energies to prevent, cure and rehabilitate locomotor diseases. Like this, physiotherapy is one of the most ancient methods of treatments, because the healing power of the sun, air, water, and herbs were already applied in the prehistoric times. To sum up, all treatments that are using the power of light, climate, water or motion mechanism belong to the tools of physiotherapy.

These terms are often used as synonyms, although these are not the same. Physical therapy is a group of treatments in physiotherapy, using man-made physical energies to cure: electrotherapy (TENS) ultrasonography, polarized light, blast wave therapy.

In case of distress or decreased range of motion, a consultation is recommended with a rheumatology or orthopedic specialist to set the diagnosis, so the most suitable treatments could be indicated. If conservative (non-surgical) treatments are suggested by the specialist, usually complex physiotherapic cures are applied, which includes both, corrective gymnastic therapy and physical therapy treatments as well.

In addition, physiotherapy is indicated after orthopedic surgeries, like total knee replacement, as the part of the rehabilitation process.