If you're comparing in-clinic and online physiotherapy for the first time, the difference isn't just convenience, it's genuinely about what kind of treatment your condition needs. Here's a clear, side-by-side look. ### What's the same either way Whichever format you choose, you're seeing a real, HCPC-registered physiotherapist, not a generic app or a symptom checker. Both formats include a proper assessment, a personalised treatment plan built around your specific goals, and ongoing review as you progress. Neither is a "lite" version of the other, they're two different ways of delivering genuine care. ### What's different **In-clinic** gives your physiotherapist the ability to physically examine and treat you—hands-on manual therapy, joint mobilisation, sports massage, acupuncture, and electrotherapy are only possible in person. It's also the better starting point for anything involving fall risk, balance testing, or early post-surgical monitoring, where having someone physically present matters for safety. **Online** removes the need to travel entirely; appointments happen wherever you are, at a time that suits you, including for patients outside the UK. It works particularly well for exercise-based rehabilitation, ongoing pain management, and later-stage recovery, where the focus is on movement, technique, and progression rather than hands-on treatment. ### A quick way to think about it Ask yourself: **does this problem need someone's hands on my body, or does it need expert guidance on how I move?** If it's the former, book in-clinic. If it's the latter, online is very likely just as effective, and considerably more convenient. ### Can you use both? Yes, and many patients do. A common pattern is starting in-clinic for an initial assessment or early hands-on treatment, then moving to online sessions for ongoing exercise progression once the more hands-on phase is complete. Your physiotherapist will tell you honestly which approach, or combination, suits your situation.