Following National / International Agency Define Physiotherapy as an Independent & Autonomous Profession and define the profession as given below:

International Agencies/Statuary Body
World Health Organization (WHO)
www.who.int/hrh/statistics/workforce_statistics

Physical therapy provides services to individuals and populations to develop, maintain and restore maximum movement and functional ability throughout the lifespan. This includes providing services in circumstances where movement and function are threatened by ageing, injury, diseases, disorders, conditions or environmental factors.  Functional movement is central to what it means to be healthy.

Physical therapy is concerned with identifying and maximising quality of life and movement potential within the spheres of promotion, prevention, treatment/intervention, habilitation and rehabilitation. This encompasses physical, psychological, emotional, and social wellbeing.Physical therapy involves the interaction between the physical therapist, patients/clients, other health professionals, families, care givers and communities in a process where movement potential is assessed and goals are agreed upon, using knowledge and skills unique to physical therapists.

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 physical therapist’s extensive knowledge of the body and its movement needs and potential is central todetermining strategies for diagnosis and intervention.  The practice settings will vary according to whether the physical therapy is concerned with health promotion, prevention, treatment/intervention, habilitation or rehabilitation.

The scope of physical therapy practice is not limited to direct patient/client care, but also includes:

• public health strategies
• advocating for patients/clients and for health
• supervising and delegating to others
• leading
• managing
• teaching
• research
• developing and implementing health policy, locally, nationally and internationally

Physical therapists operate as independent practitioners,[Note]  as well as members of health service provider teams, and are subject to the ethical principles of WCPT. They are able to act as first contact practitioners, and patients/clients may seek direct services without referral from another health care professional.

The education and clinical practice of physical therapists will vary according to the social, economic, cultural and political contexts in which they practice. However, it is a single profession, and the first professional qualification, obtained in any country, represents the completion of a curriculum that qualifies the physical therapist to use the professional title and to practise as an independentprofessional.

Appendix 1: The nature of the physical therapy process
Physical therapy is the service provided only by, or under the direction and supervision of, a physical therapist. It includes examination/assessment, evaluation, diagnosis, prognosis/plan, intervention/treatment and re-examination.
Examination/assessment includes:

Diagnosis and prognosis arise from the examination and evaluation and represent the outcome of the process of clinical reasoning and the incorporation of additional information from other professionals as needed. This may be expressed in terms of movement dysfunction or may encompass categories of impairments, activity limitations, participatory restrictions, environmental influences or abilities/disabilities.

Prognosis (including plan of care and intervention/treatment) begins with determining the need for intervention/treatment and normally leads to the development of a plan, including measurable outcome goals negotiated in collaboration with the patient/client, family or caregiver. Alternatively it may lead to referral to another agency or health professional in cases that are inappropriate for physical therapy.
Intervention/treatment is implemented and modified in order to reach agreed goals and may include:

• therapeutic exercise
• functional training in self-care
• home management
• work
• community and leisure
• manual therapy techniques (including mobilisation/manipulation)
• prescription, application, and, as appropriate, fabrication of devices and equipment (assistive, adaptive, orthotic, protective, supportive and prosthetic)
• airway clearance techniques
• integumentary repair and protection techniques
• electrotherapeutic modalities
• physical agents and mechanical modalities
• patient-related instruction
• coordination, communication and documentation

Intervention/treatment may also be aimed at prevention of impairments, activity limitations, participatory restrictions, disability and injury including the promotion and maintenance of health, quality of life, workability and fitness in all ages and populations.

Re-examination necessitates determining the outcomes.

Appendix 2: Settings in which physical therapy is practised
Physical therapy is deliveredin a variety of settings, which allow it to achieve its purpose.
Prevention, health promotion, treatment/intervention, habilitation and rehabilitation take place in multiple settings that mayinclude, but are not confined to,the following:

• community based rehabilitation programmes
• community settings including primary health care centres, individual homes, and field settings
• education and research centres
• fitness clubs, health clubs, gymnasia and spas
• hospices
• hospitals
• nursing homes
• occupational health centres
• out-patient clinics
• physical therapist private offices, practices, clinics
• prisons
• public settings (eg shopping malls) for health promotion
• rehabilitation centres and residential homes
• schools, including pre-schools and special schools
• senior citizen centres
• sports centres/clubs
• workplaces/companies

Physical therapists (PTs) are highly-educated, licensed health care professionals who can help patients reduce pain and improve or restore mobility - in many cases without expensive surgery and often reducing the need for long-term use of prescription medications and their side effects.

Physical therapists can teach patients how to prevent or manage their condition so that they will achieve long-term health benefits. PTs examine each individual and develop a plan, using treatment techniques to promote the ability to move, reduce pain, restore function, and prevent disability. In addition, PTs work with individuals to prevent the loss of mobility before it occurs by developing fitness- and wellness-oriented programs for healthier and more active lifestyles.

Physical therapists provide care for people in a variety of settings, including hospitals, private practices, outpatient clinics, home health agencies, schools, sports and fitness facilities, work settings, and nursing homes. State licensure is required in each state in which a physical therapist practices.

National (Agencies/Statuary Body in India)
The Delhi Council for Physiotherapy & Occupational Therapy (DCPTOT Act 1997)

“physiotherapy” means physiotherapeutic system medicine which includes examination, treatment  advice and instructions to any person preparatory or for the purpose of or in connection with dysfunction, bodily malfunction, physical disorder  disability, healing and pain from trauma and disease physical and mental conditions using physical including exercises, mobilisation, manipulation mechanical and electrotherapy, activities  for diagnosis, treatment and prevention.
Maharashtra State Council of Occupational & Physiotherapy, Act 2002 (Mah.II of 2004).

“Physiotherapy” means 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 units, curing physical disorders or disability promoting physical  fitness, facilitating healing and pain relief and treatment of physical and psycho-somatic disorders through modulating physiological and physical response using physical agent, activities and devices using exercises, mobilization, manipulations, therapeutic ultra-sound, electrical and thermal agents and electrotherapy for diagnosis, treatment and prevention. 

Physical Therapist as Professional (As per Delhi & Maharashtra Councils Acts).
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-: “Physiotherapist” means a person who possesses recognized physiotherapy qualifications and whose name     has been enrolled or deemed to have been enrolled in the Delhi Register of Physiotherapists.

-: “Recognized physiotherapy qualification” means qualification in physiotherapy included in the Schedule.

-: “Register” means the Register of physiotherapists maintained by the council.

-: “Registered practitioner” means a physiotherapist whose name is entered & continues to remain on the      Register of the Council.

-:  “Profession” means the profession of physiotherapy.