World PT Day

About World PT Day

World PT Day is on 8th September every year. The day is an opportunity for physiotherapists from all over the world to raise awareness about the crucial contribution the profession makes to keeping people well, mobile and independent.

In 1996, the World Confederation of Physical Therapy (WCPT) now known as World Physiotherapy designated 8th September as World PT Day. This is the date World Physiotherapy was founded in 1951.

The day marks the unity and solidarity of the global physiotherapy community. It is an opportunity to recognise the work that physiotherapists do for their patients and community. Using World PT Day as a focus, World Physiotherapy aims to support member organisations in their efforts to promote the profession and advance their expertise.

Reports from around the world indicate that World PT Day activities have a positive impact on the profession’s profile and standing with both the public and policy makers.

Many World Physiotherapy member organisations already have their own national physical therapy days, weeks and months. However, organisations that have no designated day of their own often choose 8th September.

It is up to individual physiotherapists and World Physiotherapy member organisations to decide what activities and materials they wish to develop. That way, they can reflect key national priorities and messages. But each year World Physiotherapy provides ideas, publicity and support materials.

2026

The focus for World PT Day on 8th September 2026 was the role of physiotherapy and physical activity in the prevention, management, and rehabilitation of cardiovascular disease and stroke.

The campaign was focused around the following key messages:

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of death globally, claiming 20.5 million lives each year, 85% of these from heart attacks and stroke. Over 30% of all global deaths are due to CVD.
Stroke is the 2nd leading cause of death and the 3rd leading cause of death and disability combined worldwide. 1 in 4 of us will have a stroke in our lifetime, rising to almost 1 in 2 in low-income countries, yet almost all strokes can be prevented.
75% of CVD deaths and a similarly disproportionate share of stroke's burden occur in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), where rehabilitation services remain scarce and underfunded.
High blood pressure is the leading risk factor for CVD globally, and physiotherapists play a key role in identifying and managing it alongside diabetes, obesity, and other risk factors.
Exercise-based cardiac rehabilitation, with physiotherapy at its core, can reduce cardiovascular mortality by up to 26%, cut hospitalisation by up to 23%, and reduce recurrent heart attacks, while also improving physical and mental wellbeing.
Physiotherapy is central to stroke recovery, improving mobility, balance, and independence at every stage, from hospital care through to long-term community rehabilitation.
73% of stroke survivors fall in the first year after their stroke; physiotherapy-led balance training helps reduce this risk and prevent further complications.
Physiotherapists are uniquely placed to deliver low-cost, scalable prevention and rehabilitation in LMICs, requiring minimal equipment and adaptable to community halls, primary care clinics, or people's homes.
Cardiac rehabilitation services are available in 80% of European countries but only 17% of African countries, highlighting a major global equity gap that physiotherapy-led models can help close.
WHO recognises rehabilitation, including physiotherapy, as an essential health service and a cornerstone of universal health coverage, yet 1 in 3 people globally who could benefit from rehabilitation still lack access to it.
Physiotherapy is not an adjunct service, it is a WHO-endorsed, essential strategy for tackling the global burden of cardiovascular disease and stroke.

Resources

World PT day information sheets 2026

World PT day advocacy toolkit 2026

2025

The focus for World PT Day on 8th September 2025 was the role of physiotherapy and physical activity in healthy ageing, with a focused look at preventing frailty and falls.

The campaign was focused around the following key messages:

The global population aged 60+ is growing faster than at any time in history, from 1 billion in 2019 to a projected 2.1 billion by 2050. The number of people aged 80+ will nearly triple to 426 million by 2050.
Falls are the second leading cause of unintentional injury deaths worldwide. 37.3 million falls each year are severe enough to require medical attention, and adults over 60 face the greatest risk of fatal falls.
Around 12% of people aged 50+ globally are frail, and a further 46% are pre-frail, though prevalence varies widely by region.
People who are more physically active are up to 41% less likely to experience frailty.
Structured exercise can reduce the rate of falls in older people by as much as 23%, significantly lowering the risk of injury and hospitalisation.
WHO estimates that 4–5 million deaths and US$27 billion in healthcare costs each year could be avoided if the global population were more physically active.
Physiotherapists are experts in prescribing individualised exercise programmes to improve strength, balance, coordination and flexibility, helping to prevent falls and treat frailty.
Physiotherapy-led exercise programmes gradually increase resistance and intensity, helping to prevent sarcopenia (muscle loss) and improve aerobic and lung capacity.
Physiotherapists work alongside doctors, occupational therapists, nutritionists and counsellors to provide well-rounded, person-centred care for older people.
Healthy ageing starts earlier than people think; activity levels in childhood, young adulthood and midlife all shape the risk of frailty and chronic disease later in life. Physiotherapists can guide healthy habits at every stage.

Resources

World PT day information sheets 2025

World PT day advocacy toolkit 2025

2024

The focus for World PT Day on 8th September 2024 was low back pain (LBP) and the role of physiotherapy in its management and prevention.

The campaign was focused around the following key messages:

LBP is the leading cause of disability globally. 619 million people experienced LBP in 2020, that’s 1 in 13 people.
LBP can be experienced at any age, and almost everyone will experience it at some time in their lives. However, it only becomes chronic (lasting more than 3 months) for a minority.
90% of LBP is non-specific, this means there is no one specific structure (eg, joint, muscle, ligament, disc) that can be found to cause it, and it is not due to a serious or specific underlying disease.
Among health conditions that may benefit from rehabilitation, LBP is the condition that the greatest number of people could benefit from.
Physiotherapists provide expert advice, guidance and treatment for LBP. They will help to improve your overall health and wellbeing, while reducing your chances of future episodes.
In all types and at all stages of LBP, rehabilitation is essential to reassure people and help you make sense of your pain, help support recovery, return to activities you enjoy and maintain independence in daily living.
Non-surgical interventions are recommended to help people experiencing LBP. Physiotherapists are specialists in the care of LBP, and can offer tailored treatment, including:
- education programs that support knowledge and self-care strategies
- physiotherapist-supervised exercise programs
- physiotherapy interventions such as manual therapy
Exercise has been shown to be the most helpful treatment for LBP. One type of exercise doesn’t appear to be better than any other – remaining active and doing it regularly is the most important. Your physiotherapist will help you find an exercise that’s right for you.

Resources

World PT day information sheets 2024

World PT day advocacy toolkit 2024

2023

The focus for this year’s World PT Day is arthritis, with an in-depth look at some forms of inflammatory arthritis, including rheumatoid arthritis and axial spondyloarthritis. This follows on from the theme for 2022, which focused on osteoarthritis.

The campaign was focused on the following key messages:

Arthritis is defined as an acute or chronic joint inflammation. Symptoms can include pain, swelling, stiffness, and redness which may contribute to reduced function and dexterity. Arthritis isn’t a single condition; there are many different types.
It can affect people of all ages and physical fitness – including children, teenagers, and athletes. Some forms of arthritis are more common in older people.
The symptoms of arthritis can vary from week to week, and even from day to day. It can also affect people in different ways and each condition will have specific symptoms. However, with the right treatment and approach, you can manage your symptoms and live well.
Regular physical activity and exercise are important in the management of all forms of inflammatory arthritis (IA), including rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and axial spondyloarthritis (axial SpA), and offer numerous health benefits.
Physiotherapy is an important part of your overall treatment. A physiotherapist will guide you on how to exercise safely, increase your activity levels, set goals, and find the right balance between rest and activity.
It’s important to stay active and keep moving when you have arthritis. Physiotherapists are part of a multidisciplinary team that can help you manage your arthritis. They will be able to assess your condition and abilities and guide you on how to keep active and help manage your symptoms.
People with RA and other inflammatory joint disorders have an increased risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD). Healthy lifestyle choices, including regular physical activity, are important in the management of RA to reduce the risk of CVD.
People with axial SpA should be referred to a physiotherapist to start an individualised, structured exercise programme that is tailored to you to help maintain spinal flexibility, whole body flexibility, and reduce pain. Even when you have pain, continuing to exercise at levels that suit you has significant benefits.
Only about a third of people living with OA will get worse over time, and some see an improvement in pain and disability. A physiotherapist will be able to guide you on how to keep active.
Arthritis is often associated with older people, but it can also affect children. Most types of childhood arthritis are known as juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA). Physiotherapy forms an important role in the management of the symptoms of JIA and will help you/your child do the activities you like doing.

Resources

World PT day information sheets 2023

2022

The focus for World PT Day on 8 September 2022 was osteoarthritis and the role of physiotherapists in its prevention and in the management of people affected by osteoarthritis.

The campaign was focused around the following key messages:

Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common joint condition: 520 million people around the world have OA, and 60% of OA cases are for knee OA.
In a global study of 291 conditions, hip and knee OA was ranked as the 11th highest contributor to disability.
The exact cause of OA is unclear. Risk factors that increase the risk of OA include: having overweight or obesity, having a previous joint injury or joint surgery or history of joint overuse, genetics.
Exercise is a first-line treatment for OA. A physiotherapist can provide advice and education about pain relief and ways to manage OA. They can teach people living with OA how to improve joint movement and strengthen muscles.
It is important for people living with OA to keep as active as possible. This can help improve pain, reduce other symptoms of OA, and help people stay independent.
Only about a third of people living with OA will get worse over time, and some see an improvement in pain and disability. A physiotherapist will be able to guide you on how to keep active.

Resources

World PT day information sheets 2022

World PT day booklet 2022

Other Resources

World Physiotherapy encourages member organisations and physiotherapists around the world to use World Physiotherapy’s toolkit to convey these messages to the public and policy makers.