Physical Therapy Market Size, Share, Growth, Trends, and Global Industry Analysis: By Application (Orthopaedic Physical Therapy, Geriatric Physical Therapy, Neurological Physical Therapy, Cardiopulmonary and Pulmonary Physical Therapy, Others), By Age Group (Paediatrics, Adults, Elderly), By End-User (Hospitals, Private Practices, Outpatient Clinics, Sports and Fitness Facility Centers, Others), By Treatment (Equipment, Therapies, Products) and Region Forecast 2020-2031

Physical Therapy Market was valued at US$ XX million in 2024 and is projected to reach US$ XX million by 2031 at a CAGR of XX%. from 2025-2031. Moreover, the U.S. Physical Therapy Market is projected to grow significantly, reaching an estimated value of US$ XX Million by 2031.

The market refers to the global industry involved in providing rehabilitative care through therapeutic exercises, manual therapy, and various modalities aimed at restoring mobility, alleviating pain, and improving overall physical function. Physical therapy is utilized across a wide range of conditions, including musculoskeletal disorders, neurological impairments, post-surgical rehabilitation, and chronic diseases. The market encompasses services offered by hospitals, specialized clinics, outpatient rehabilitation centers, and home-based care providers, as well as the equipment and devices used to facilitate therapy, such as exercise machines, therapeutic ultrasound devices, and mobility aids.

The market is witnessing steady growth due to the rising prevalence of chronic diseases, sports injuries, and an aging global population, all of which increase the demand for rehabilitative care. Technological advancements, such as robotic-assisted therapy, virtual reality rehabilitation, and wearable monitoring devices, are further enhancing patient outcomes and driving adoption. Moreover, increasing awareness about preventive healthcare and physiotherapy’s role in improving quality of life is encouraging more patients to seek services. Expansion of outpatient clinics and home-based rehabilitation services is also facilitating wider accessibility, positioning the market for continued growth in the coming years.

Facts & Figures

• Europe has launched a new doctoral network called METRAMAT under the Horizon 2022 Marie Sklodowska-Curie Action, which has opened 10 PhD positions for researchers focused on Physical Therapy development.
• In late 2024, a work on multifunctional passive metacrystals was published which demonstrated that dielectric Physical Therapy composites could be designed to operate up to 100 GHz, provide multiple signal handling (polarization, angle, frequency), and be fabricated via accessible additive manufacturing methods.
• The number of scholarly articles on Physical Therapys (and related fields like plasmonics) continues to rise: more than 7,000 papers were published in 2023 in special issues and journals focused on Physical Therapys/plasmonics, up from far fewer in earlier years.

Key Developments

• In May 2025, Hinge Health, a company offering virtual care for musculoskeletal conditions, went public on the New York Stock Exchange. The IPO was strong: shares were priced at $32, and immediately after debut they closed at ~$39.25, reflecting investor confidence.
• In June 2025, Des Moines University Clinic launched a mobile biomechanics lab the first of its kind in the Des Moines metro area. The lab uses an inertial motion capture (IMC) system with many sensors to perform movement analysis on site (e.g. at athletic fields). This development reflects a push toward bringing advanced assessment tools out of clinic walls and closer to patients, especially in sports rehabilitation and preventative care.

Physical Therapy Market Segmentation

Based on the application

• Orthopaedic Physical Therapy
• Geriatric Physical Therapy
• Neurological Physical Therapy
• Cardiopulmonary and Pulmonary Physical Therapy
• Others

Orthopaedic physical therapy is anticipated to lead the market due to the rising prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders, sports injuries, and post-surgical rehabilitation needs. It focuses on restoring mobility, strength, and functional independence in patients with joint, bone, and soft tissue injuries, including fractures, ligament tears, and post-arthroplasty recovery. The increasing incidence of musculoskeletal conditions, driven by aging populations, sedentary lifestyles, and obesity, is fueling demand for orthopaedic rehabilitation services. Hospitals, outpatient clinics, and sports medicine centers are expanding orthopaedic therapy programs to accommodate the growing patient load. Advanced modalities such as robotic-assisted therapy, motion analysis systems, and AI-based rehabilitation plans are being integrated into orthopaedic care, enhancing treatment precision and patient outcomes. As a result, orthopaedic physical therapy remains the dominant application segment, driving overall market growth and adoption across global healthcare systems.

Based on the age group

• Paediatrics
• Adults
• Elderly

The adult age group is anticipated to lead the physical therapy market due to its high prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders, sports injuries, occupational injuries, and post-surgical rehabilitation needs. Adults, typically aged 18–64, represent the most active and working segment of the population, which exposes them to both acute injuries and chronic conditions caused by lifestyle factors such as prolonged sitting, poor ergonomics, and repetitive strain. This demographic frequently seeks rehabilitation services to restore functional mobility, reduce pain, and resume work or athletic activities. Hospitals, outpatient clinics, and occupational therapy programs increasingly focus on adult rehabilitation, leveraging advanced technologies such as AI-assisted therapy, tele-rehabilitation, and wearable devices to monitor progress and enhance outcomes. Consequently, adults remain the dominant age group driving the demand for physical therapy services globally, positioning this segment as the primary contributor to overall market growth.

Based on the end user

• Hospitals
• Private Practices
• Outpatient Clinics
• Sports and Fitness Facility Centers
• Others

Hospitals are anticipated to lead the physical therapy market due to their role as primary healthcare providers with comprehensive rehabilitation services. They cater to a wide range of patients, including those recovering from surgeries, traumatic injuries, chronic diseases, and severe musculoskeletal conditions. Hospitals integrate physical therapy into inpatient and outpatient care, ensuring continuity of care and access to multidisciplinary teams, including physicians, surgeons, and therapists. The adoption of advanced rehabilitation technologies, such as robotic-assisted devices, motion analysis systems, and AI-based therapy planning, is more prevalent in hospital settings due to higher capital investment capacity. Additionally, hospitals serve as training and research centers, further driving the adoption and development of innovative therapy techniques. This broad scope of services, technological integration, and patient reach positions hospitals as the leading end-user segment, significantly contributing to the growth of the global physical therapy market.

Based on the treatment

• Equipment
• Therapies
• Products

The therapies segment is anticipated to lead the physical therapy market due to its direct role in patient rehabilitation and functional recovery. This segment includes exercise-based interventions, manual therapy, hydrotherapy, electrotherapy, and other specialized treatment techniques aimed at alleviating pain, restoring mobility, and improving overall physical function. Therapies are essential for addressing musculoskeletal, neurological, cardiopulmonary, and geriatric conditions, making them universally applicable across patient populations. The growing prevalence of chronic diseases, post-surgical rehabilitation needs, and sports-related injuries drives demand for therapy-focused interventions. Healthcare providers, including hospitals, outpatient clinics, and private practices, increasingly adopt evidence-based therapy protocols, often supported by technological tools like motion sensors, wearable devices, and AI-assisted exercise guidance. As these therapies are the core of rehabilitation outcomes, they remain the primary driver of market growth, outperforming equipment and ancillary products in terms of adoption and clinical impact globally.