What is the Difference Between an Exercise Physiologist and a Physiotherapist

At Women's Health Hub, one of the most common questions we hear is: “What’s the difference between a Physiotherapist and an Exercise Physiologist?”

Or sometimes: “Who should I see for my injury or condition—my Physio or an Exercise Physiologist?”

You’re not alone in wondering. While most people are familiar with Physiotherapists, personal trainers, and even nutritionists, Exercise Physiology is still a relatively unfamiliar profession and often misunderstood or confused with physiotherapy.

The truth is, both Physiotherapists and Exercise Physiologists are highly qualified allied health professionals who use physical activity to help people recover, manage health conditions, and improve overall wellbeing. They share similar goals—but the way they get you there can be different, and while their areas of focus may overlap, they play very different roles in your care.

Both professions are grounded in evidence-based care, and both are here to support you but knowing who to see, and when, can make your health journey clearer and more effective.

In the sections ahead, we’ll walk you through the key differences, so you feel supported in making the choice about which healthcare professional is best suited to help you reach your health goals.

What does a Physiotherapist do?

A Physiotherapist is often the first professional you’ll see when you're dealing with pain, injury, or

movement-related concerns. They are trained to assess, diagnose, treat, and manage a wide range of conditions that affect the musculoskeletal, neurological, and cardiopulmonary systems. Whether it’s a new injury, chronic condition, or post-operative recovery, Physiotherapists offer comprehensive care from acute to chronic stages.

They use a variety of treatment techniques, including:

• Manual therapy such as massage, joint mobilisation, and dry needling.

• Exercise-based rehabilitation to restore movement and strength

• Education and advice to support self-management and prevent re-injury

• Physical modalities like ultrasound for tissue healing

• Support across life stages, including ageing, illness, and post-surgery rehab

Physiotherapists can also help manage conditions such as:

• Neck, back, and joint pain

• Sports and work-related injuries

• Chronic pain conditions

• Recovery after surgeries like joint replacements

• Issues such as vertigo or pulmonary conditions

They are qualified to provide a diagnosis, set out a treatment plan, and monitor your recovery closely. If your condition hasn't been diagnosed yet, a Physiotherapist—or a GP—is where you should start.

What does an Exercise Physiologist do?

Exercise Physiologists are university-qualified allied health professionals who specialise in the prescription of safe, evidence-based exercise programs. While they do not provide a diagnosis, they assess movement and function, gaining a strong understanding of how the body is responding. This allows them to develop appropriate, individualised exercise programs. They also work with patients who have already been assessed by a GP or Physiotherapist, supporting recovery, managing chronic conditions, and improving overall health and quality of life.

Their primary approach includes:

• Exercise prescription to restore function and relieve discomfort

• Health education and behavioural coaching to encourage long-term self-management

• Lifestyle modification techniques to support overall wellbeing

• Ongoing physical rehabilitation for chronic and complex conditions

• Exercise Physiologists work with clients managing:

  • Musculoskeletal injuries

  • Obesity and metabolic disorders

  • Diabetes and heart disease

  • Osteoporosis and arthritis

  • Mental health challenges

  • Neuromuscular conditions

  • Chronic pain

  • Cancer recovery and respiratory conditions

They also support athletes and active individuals—whether recreational or elite—by improving performance and minimising the risk of future injury through targeted, progressive training programs.

Ultimately, Exercise Physiologists help individuals regain function, maintain independence, and build lifelong healthy habits through movement, education, and coaching.

What Physiotherapists Do vs. Exercise Physiologist

We know it can be a little confusing. There’s some overlap between what Physiotherapists and Exercise Physiologists do, which can make it hard to know who you should see.

To help make things a little clearer, here’s a simple breakdown of their key differences and how each can support your health journey.

1. Physiotherapists can diagnose. They diagnose injuries and recognise disorders involving all major body systems.	1. Exercise Physiologists do not provide diagnoses. Exercise Physiologists can get a very thorough understanding of what is happening with your body's mobility, strength and movement patterns through thorough assessment. They can use this information to offer a tailored exercise plan to treat you. However, it is not within their scope to provide you with an official diagnosis.
2. Physiotherapists apply evidence-based clinical reasoning to assess, diagnose, and determine the most effective treatment. They possess clinical expertise across all anatomical domains and play a key role in supporting and advising medical practitioners in the ongoing management of a patient’s condition.	2. Exercise Physiologists focus on clinical exercise prescription. They have a deep understanding of the benefits and potential risks associated with different types of exercise, allowing them to design safe and effective programs tailored to individual health needs.
3. Physiotherapists have a broad therapy base. Physiotherapists use manual therapy techniques to reduce pain, facilitate the recovery of normal movement and rehabilitate patients using specifically designed exercise programs.	3. Exercise Physiologists’ scope is focused around exercise. Exercise Physiologists primarily manage patients using clinical exercise interventions, as well as lifestyle modification and education around injury and chronic disease.

When to See Who?

By now, you’ve probably noticed there’s some natural overlap between what Physiotherapists and Exercise Physiologists do and that can make it tricky to know who to see, especially if you’re recovering from an injury.

One helpful way to figure this out is by looking at the different stages of the injury recovery cycle. Understanding where you are in your healing journey can guide you towards the support that’s most appropriate and effective for your needs.

Here’s a simple overview of the four key stages in the injury cycle:

1. Acute – protection

2. Sub-acute – repair

3. Late – remodelling

4. Final – ongoing repair and remodelling and return to activity/function

Physiotherapists work across all stages of injury, but are especially essential in the acute phase, which happens immediately after an injury. You might be experiencing swelling, pain, reduced

function, or inflammation. In this early phase, seeing a Physiotherapist can be incredibly beneficial. They’re able to assess and diagnose the issue, and begin hands-on treatment to get your recovery started on the right foot.

Exercise Physiologists, on the other hand, often support you once you are out of that acute stage of injury healing and can progress your strength and function and aid in preventing future injury. Once the injury is stable, they’ll help guide your return to movement in a way that’s safe, structured, and supportive. Their focus is on helping you rebuild strength and confidence—whether you’re getting back to daily activities, managing a chronic condition, or reaching your fitness goals.

Still unsure who to book with? We’ve put together a simple checklist to help clarify which professional may be the right fit for your current stage of health and healing. Take a look below.

See a Physiotherapist if:

• You’re experiencing pain that is new, unexpected or hasn’t yet been diagnosed

• You’ve sustained a sports injury

• You’ve recently undergone orthopaedic surgery

• You require hands-on treatment such as dry needling, joint mobilisation, or massage

  
  

See an Exercise Physiologist if:

• You’re recovering from an injury

• You have a previous injury that you're concerned about re-aggravating

• You have a chronic health condition such as diabetes, hypertension, high cholesterol, asthma, or osteoporosis, which can benefit from a structured exercise program

• You’re aiming to lose weight or maintain a healthy weight, and want support in building an effective exercise routine

• You’re looking for an individually tailored and pr escribed exercise plan to support your health and wellness goals

Women’s Health Hub offers both Physiotherapy and Exercise Physiology

To put it simply, an Exercise Physiologist will support your recovery and wellbeing through tailored, evidence-based exercise. A Physiotherapist, on the other hand, will assess, diagnose, and treat your condition using a combination of hands-on therapy, education, and movement.

Sometimes, you might only need one. Other times, the best care involves both. That’s why at Women’s Health Hub, we offer both Physiotherapy and Exercise Physiology services, working together to support you through every stage of recovery and long-term wellness. And because our practitioners collaborate closely, they can refer you between services if your needs change along the way, ensuring you’re always receiving the most appropriate support.

If you’re still unsure, that’s completely okay. The best way to find out how we can help is to book an initial consultation. We’ll take the time to understand your situation and recommend the best path forward.

You can book an appointment with our qualified Physiotherapist or Exercise Physiologist online using the link below.

Book A Consultation With Us