GITNUXREPORT 2025

Physical Therapy Statistics

Physical therapy market grows fast, improves mobility, reduces costs, and enhances recovery.

Jannik Linder

Co-Founder of Gitnux, specialized in content and tech since 2016.

First published: April 29, 2025

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Statistic 1

The most common reason for physical therapy referral is musculoskeletal injuries, accounting for approximately 55% of cases

Statistic 2

The incidence of lower back pain in adults is around 39%, with physical therapy being a primary treatment option

Statistic 3

Physical therapists use over 150 different treatment techniques, including manual therapy, exercise, and electrotherapy

Statistic 4

The average duration of a physical therapy treatment session is about 60 minutes

Statistic 5

Chronic pain management accounts for nearly 40% of physical therapy treatments, especially in musculoskeletal conditions

Statistic 6

The use of aquatic therapy in physical therapy increases patient adherence to exercise programs by approximately 20%

Statistic 7

About 35% of physical therapy patients are referred for neurological conditions, including stroke and Parkinson’s disease

Statistic 8

The average number of therapy visits per patient is around 10-12 visits, depending on the condition and severity

Statistic 9

Approximately 55% of physical therapy patients are involved in post-surgical rehabilitation, primarily for joint and ligament surgeries

Statistic 10

Physical therapy is considered a cost-effective treatment, potentially reducing healthcare costs by up to 45% in some cases

Statistic 11

In 2022, the average patient visit to a physical therapist costs around $150, depending on the region and treatment type

Statistic 12

Physical therapy services are reimbursed by Medicare in the US, covering about 65% of outpatient therapy costs

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The global physical therapy market was valued at approximately $37.8 billion in 2022

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The physical therapy profession is projected to grow 21% from 2021 to 2031, much faster than the average for all occupations

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Around 60% of physical therapy patients are over the age of 45

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About 50% of physical therapists report increased demand for pediatric physical therapy services

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Patients with sports injuries make up roughly 20% of physical therapy caseloads

Statistic 18

The utilization of telehealth physical therapy increased by over 150% during the COVID-19 pandemic

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The majority of new physical therapy clinics in the US are opening in suburban areas, accounting for about 60% of new clinics

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The global demand for physical therapy services is expected to grow at a CAGR of about 6% from 2023 to 2030

Statistic 21

In 2022, approximately 40% of physical therapy providers offered telehealth services, up from less than 5% in 2019

Statistic 22

North America accounts for over 50% of the global physical therapy market share, due to high healthcare expenditure and aging populations

Statistic 23

The use of wearable technology for physical therapy monitoring increased by over 70% between 2019 and 2022

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The majority of physical therapy clinics are located in urban areas, comprising about 65% of clinics, due to population density

Statistic 25

Physical therapy helps reduce pain levels in over 80% of patients with musculoskeletal conditions

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Physical therapy can help reduce the need for surgery in certain cases by approximately 20-30%

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Approximately 80% of patients report improved mobility and function after completing physical therapy programs

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About 15% of physical therapy patients experience mild to moderate adverse effects, mostly temporary soreness or fatigue

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About 30% of elderly Americans experience falls annually, and physical therapy can reduce fall risk by up to 40%

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Postoperative physical therapy can shorten recovery time by approximately 25% in joint replacement surgeries

Statistic 31

Physical therapy can improve balance and reduce fall risk in elderly patients by up to 50%

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Physical therapy is effective in reducing opioid use, with studies showing up to a 20% decrease in opioid prescriptions among patients who undergo therapy

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Physical therapy can decrease hospital readmission rates by roughly 15-20% in patients with chronic conditions

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In a survey, 80% of physical therapists reported that patient satisfaction improved significantly with personalized exercise programs

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Approximately 70% of physical therapists work in outpatient clinics

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The average salary for a physical therapist in the US is approximately $95,000 per year

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Approximately 25% of physical therapists specialize in orthopedics, making it the largest specialty area

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Nearly 90% of physical therapists identify patient education as a critical component of successful therapy

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Physical therapists often collaborate with other healthcare professionals, with nearly 75% participating in multidisciplinary teams

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Approximately 20% of physical therapists in the US work in hospital outpatient departments

Statistic 41

The number of licensed physical therapists in the US exceeds 250,000, with strong regional growth

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Key Highlights

The global physical therapy market was valued at approximately $37.8 billion in 2022
The physical therapy profession is projected to grow 21% from 2021 to 2031, much faster than the average for all occupations
Approximately 70% of physical therapists work in outpatient clinics
Physical therapy helps reduce pain levels in over 80% of patients with musculoskeletal conditions
Around 60% of physical therapy patients are over the age of 45
The average salary for a physical therapist in the US is approximately $95,000 per year
Physical therapy can help reduce the need for surgery in certain cases by approximately 20-30%
About 50% of physical therapists report increased demand for pediatric physical therapy services
The most common reason for physical therapy referral is musculoskeletal injuries, accounting for approximately 55% of cases
Physical therapy is considered a cost-effective treatment, potentially reducing healthcare costs by up to 45% in some cases
Approximately 80% of patients report improved mobility and function after completing physical therapy programs
The incidence of lower back pain in adults is around 39%, with physical therapy being a primary treatment option
Physical therapists use over 150 different treatment techniques, including manual therapy, exercise, and electrotherapy

Did you know that the global physical therapy market soared to nearly $38 billion in 2022 and is projected to grow at a remarkable 21% through 2031, fueled by its proven ability to reduce pain, improve mobility, and cut healthcare costs worldwide?

Clinical Practices and Treatment Modalities

The most common reason for physical therapy referral is musculoskeletal injuries, accounting for approximately 55% of cases
The incidence of lower back pain in adults is around 39%, with physical therapy being a primary treatment option
Physical therapists use over 150 different treatment techniques, including manual therapy, exercise, and electrotherapy
The average duration of a physical therapy treatment session is about 60 minutes
Chronic pain management accounts for nearly 40% of physical therapy treatments, especially in musculoskeletal conditions
The use of aquatic therapy in physical therapy increases patient adherence to exercise programs by approximately 20%
About 35% of physical therapy patients are referred for neurological conditions, including stroke and Parkinson’s disease
The average number of therapy visits per patient is around 10-12 visits, depending on the condition and severity
Approximately 55% of physical therapy patients are involved in post-surgical rehabilitation, primarily for joint and ligament surgeries

Clinical Practices and Treatment Modalities Interpretation

With musculoskeletal injuries leading the charge at 55%, physical therapy’s vast arsenal—over 150 techniques, including aquatic therapy boosting adherence—underscores its role as a versatile frontline in both recovery and chronic pain management, all within hour-long sessions that typically span 10 to 12 visits.

Economic Impact and Reimbursement

Physical therapy is considered a cost-effective treatment, potentially reducing healthcare costs by up to 45% in some cases
In 2022, the average patient visit to a physical therapist costs around $150, depending on the region and treatment type
Physical therapy services are reimbursed by Medicare in the US, covering about 65% of outpatient therapy costs

Economic Impact and Reimbursement Interpretation

While physical therapy may seem like a modest $150 investment per visit, its reputation as a cost-effective powerhouse—cutting healthcare costs by up to 45%—proves that sometimes, a good stretch is worth a healthy dollar.

Market Size and Growth

The global physical therapy market was valued at approximately $37.8 billion in 2022
The physical therapy profession is projected to grow 21% from 2021 to 2031, much faster than the average for all occupations
Around 60% of physical therapy patients are over the age of 45
About 50% of physical therapists report increased demand for pediatric physical therapy services
Patients with sports injuries make up roughly 20% of physical therapy caseloads
The utilization of telehealth physical therapy increased by over 150% during the COVID-19 pandemic
The majority of new physical therapy clinics in the US are opening in suburban areas, accounting for about 60% of new clinics
The global demand for physical therapy services is expected to grow at a CAGR of about 6% from 2023 to 2030
In 2022, approximately 40% of physical therapy providers offered telehealth services, up from less than 5% in 2019
North America accounts for over 50% of the global physical therapy market share, due to high healthcare expenditure and aging populations
The use of wearable technology for physical therapy monitoring increased by over 70% between 2019 and 2022
The majority of physical therapy clinics are located in urban areas, comprising about 65% of clinics, due to population density

Market Size and Growth Interpretation

As the global physical therapy market surges past $37.8 billion and demand accelerates faster than most careers, it’s clear that whether aging boomers, tech-savvy teens, or sporty youth, everyone’s in need of a stretch—and with telehealth skyrocketing over 150%, the age of hands-on treatment is giving way to screens and wearables, all while suburban clinics flourish amidst urban density.

Patient Outcomes and Satisfaction

Physical therapy helps reduce pain levels in over 80% of patients with musculoskeletal conditions
Physical therapy can help reduce the need for surgery in certain cases by approximately 20-30%
Approximately 80% of patients report improved mobility and function after completing physical therapy programs
About 15% of physical therapy patients experience mild to moderate adverse effects, mostly temporary soreness or fatigue
About 30% of elderly Americans experience falls annually, and physical therapy can reduce fall risk by up to 40%
Postoperative physical therapy can shorten recovery time by approximately 25% in joint replacement surgeries
Physical therapy can improve balance and reduce fall risk in elderly patients by up to 50%
Physical therapy is effective in reducing opioid use, with studies showing up to a 20% decrease in opioid prescriptions among patients who undergo therapy
Physical therapy can decrease hospital readmission rates by roughly 15-20% in patients with chronic conditions
In a survey, 80% of physical therapists reported that patient satisfaction improved significantly with personalized exercise programs

Patient Outcomes and Satisfaction Interpretation

Physical therapy not only alleviates pain for over 80% of musculoskeletal patients and slashes surgery needs by up to 30%, but also boosts mobility, reduces fall risks among the elderly, and diminishes opioid reliance—making it a powerful, personalized tool in modern healthcare, albeit with a minor caveat of temporary discomfort for some.

Professional Workforce and Employment Trends

Approximately 70% of physical therapists work in outpatient clinics
The average salary for a physical therapist in the US is approximately $95,000 per year
Approximately 25% of physical therapists specialize in orthopedics, making it the largest specialty area
Nearly 90% of physical therapists identify patient education as a critical component of successful therapy
Physical therapists often collaborate with other healthcare professionals, with nearly 75% participating in multidisciplinary teams
Approximately 20% of physical therapists in the US work in hospital outpatient departments
The number of licensed physical therapists in the US exceeds 250,000, with strong regional growth

Professional Workforce and Employment Trends Interpretation

With over a quarter of PTs sharpening their orthopedic skills and nearly 90% emphasizing patient education, the profession clearly balances muscle and mind, all while earning a healthy median salary of $95,000—indicating that healing and hustle go hand in hand across a rapidly growing, collaborative healthcare landscape.