Exercise Physiology vs Physiotherapy
Table of Contents
When trying to learn the differences between exercise physiology vs physiotherapy, a lot of people have trouble because they both assist with movement and share a similar-sounding name. In addition, many participants of NDIS have received both services at once.
If you have ever been unsure about whether you need exercise physiology or physiotherapy, then you are definitely not the only one. Understanding the difference between exercise physiology vs physiotherapy helps you choose the support that actually matches your needs.
What Does a Physiotherapist Do?
Think of a physiotherapist as the person you see when something hurts, when you’ve had an injury, or when your movement is restricted.
Physios help with:
Injury management
Sprains, strains, falls, workplace injuries, sports injuries physio is the go-to for anything sudden or painful.
Pain treatment
Physiotherapy includes rehabilitation services to help alleviate your pain by providing the appropriate exercises and methods of re-learning how to move and/or perform activities ergonomically.
Manual therapy
You may utilize a wide variety of manual therapies including massage and joint mobilisation, all of which assist you in regaining your range of motion and reducing any associated pain.
Healthdirect has a simple explanation of what physiotherapists do. This is often where people first notice the distinction between exercise physiology vs physiotherapy, because physios focus heavily on injury-related issues.
What Does an Exercise Physiologist Do?
The exercise physiologist (EP) helps a person improve their physical health through long-term development of physical fitness and health. The EP usually helps the individual get stronger, decrease the severity of the symptoms of their diseases (chronic conditions) or to enhance their capacity to perform physically demanding tasks.
EPs help with:
Creating long-term exercise plans
They design personalised programs that improve strength, fitness, balance, and function.
Examples of chronic conditions:
Diabetes, heart disease, obesity, neurological conditions, and long-term disability-related requirements.
Weight Loss
EPs assist those who wish to manage their weight through safe physical activity and exercise.
Functional Training
EPs assist individuals in moving better based on their daily routines (i.e., standing; walking longer distances; lifting safely; etc.).
When comparing Exercise Physiology to Physiotherapy; Exercise Physiologist typically take a long-term approach towards developing overall fitness, for strength and health purposes.
What Physiotherapists Do vs What Exercise Physiologists Do
| Service | Physiotherapist | Exercise Physiologist |
|---|---|---|
| Focus Area | Pain, injuries, mobility issues | Long-term health, fitness, and chronic conditions |
| Main Approach | Hands-on treatment + corrective exercises | Exercise programs + lifestyle and behaviour changes |
| Suitable For | Sudden pain, sprains, post-surgery, mobility issues | Diabetes, obesity, heart disease, long-term strength goals |
| Treatment Style | Joint mobilisation, massage, manual therapy | Strength training, conditioning, cardio programs |
| When It’s Needed | When you’re injured or in pain | When you need long-term improvements in health and function |
| NDIS Use | Physical rehabilitation, mobility training | Functional training, strength improvement, daily living capacity |
Key Differences in Treatment
The easiest way to understand exercise physiology vs physiotherapy is this:
• Physiotherapy = helps you recover from pain or injury
• Exercise physiology = helps you build long-term strength and health
If you’re still unsure, the table below makes it clearer.
Key Differences Exercise Physiology vs Physiotherapy
| Category | Physiotherapy | Exercise Physiology |
|---|---|---|
| Goal | Reduce pain and restore movement | Improve long-term health and physical function |
| Best For | Injuries, surgery recovery, acute pain | Chronic conditions, weight management, long-term exercise plans |
| Hands-On Work | Yes manual therapy, joint work, soft tissue techniques | Rare mostly guided exercise and coaching |
| Condition Type | Acute issues (recent injuries, flare-ups) | Chronic issues (diabetes, heart disease, disability-related strength) |
| Session Style | Assessment + hands-on treatment + exercises | Assessment + personalised exercise program + progression |
| NDIS Application | Mobility, pain management, functional rehab | Strength, conditioning, independence, daily activity training |
Who Should See a Physio?
Physiotherapy is best when you’re dealing with:
• Injuries
• Sudden pain
• Post-surgery recovery
• Mobility limitations
• Strains, sprains, or restricted movement
If your issue appeared suddenly or has been painful, start with physiotherapy.
Who Should See an Exercise Physiologist?
Exercise physiology helps people living with long-term or chronic conditions, such as:
• Diabetes
• Heart disease
• Obesity
• Neurological conditions
• People wanting long-term strength improvements
• NDIS participants needing functional training
Safe Work Australia also explains how musculoskeletal health links with movement and strength.
If your goal is long-term change not just relief an EP is often the right fit.
Can You See Both?
Yes. In fact, many people benefit from using both at the same time.
A common approach looks like this:
• Physio helps reduce pain or fix the injury
• Exercise physiologist helps you stay strong and avoid the issue returning
For NDIS participants, combining physio + EP often leads to better mobility, improved strength, and more confidence with everyday tasks.
How Janalli Provides Both Services Seamlessly
At Janalli, you don’t have to choose between the two. We offer both physiotherapy and exercise physiology under one team, so you can move from pain support to long-term strength without switching providers.
Participants choose Janalli because:
• We deliver mobile, in-home sessions
• We understand NDIS reporting and goals
• We make communication simple for families, coordinators, and plan managers
• We create plans that match your daily routine
• We support people of all ages and disability types
You can learn more about our NDIS services by visiting our , Registered NDIS Provider in Logan.
Local Support from a Registered NDIS Provider in Logan and Surrounding Suburbs
Areas We Support
- Springwood
- Browns Plains
- Beenleigh
- Woodridge
- Logan Central
- Marsden
- Yarrabilba
- Broader Logan City Council region
Why Local Matters
Working closely with Logan participants means we understand the day-to-day challenges people face. Local support makes it easier to stay consistent with physiotherapy and exercise physiology, especially when sessions are delivered at home.
Conclusion: Exercise Physiology vs Physiotherapy
Selecting one of these is not difficult if you know what you want to achieve. If you are currently in pain or have an injury, the initial course of action is to use physiotherapy as treatment. On the other hand, if your aim is to maintain your overall health and fitness and achieve strength and/or gain muscle mass over time, then exercise physiology would generally be better suited for your situation. Additionally, many clients require both physiotherapy and exercise physiology services, especially for NDIS clients.
At Janalli, our team is dedicated to supporting you with simple and clear information tailored to meet your goals.
Contact Janalli Services
Phone: 0403 258 258
Email: info@janalliservices.com.au
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