Why Only Licensed Physical Therapists Should Deliver Your Care
High-quality physical therapy is a medical specialty that requires extensive education, clinical training, and legal licensure yet in Egypt, unqualified “providers” (from physicians to osteopaths, chiropractors, and fitness trainers) are encroaching on the profession. This phenomenon endangers patient safety, undermines outcomes, and violates both World Health Organization standards and Egyptian law (Law No. 3/1985). In “Why Only Licensed Physical Therapists Should Deliver Your Care”, we outline why only licensed physical therapists (PT) should practice, expose the red flags of fake providers, and offer concrete steps centered on Egypt’s legal and regulatory framework to fight back.
Why High-Quality Physical Therapy Matters
Evidence-based impact on health
Physical therapy delivered by trained therapists improves pain, function, and quality of life in musculoskeletal and neurological conditions. Systematic reviews show that guided exercise and manual therapy reduce chronic back pain and enhance mobility more effectively than unstructured interventions.
Value-based care and accountability
The American Physical Therapy Association emphasizes that value-based PT relies on clinical guidelines, outcome tracking, and continuous quality improvement practices only licensed PTs are trained to uphold.
WHO call for professional standards
World Physiotherapy (formerly WCPT) and WHO mandate standards covering ethical behavior, documentation, and patient‐centered management benchmarks unlicensed providers cannot meet.
Legal Scope of Practice in Egypt
Law No. 3 of 1985
Egyptian Law 3/1985 explicitly regulates physical therapy: only holders of a physical therapy degree may legally practice. Licenses are issued by the Ministry of Health and Population and restricted to Egyptian nationals or reciprocal citizens.
GAHAR Accreditation Standards
The General Authority for Healthcare Accreditation and Regulation (GAHAR) mandates that PT centers ensure patient access, qualified staffing, and safe environments benchmarks only legitimate clinics can meet.
Professional Code of Ethics
The Egyptian Code of Physical Therapy Ethics outlines confidentiality, informed consent, and scope limits. Violations can lead to licensure revocation and legal penalties.
Who Should NOT Deliver Physical Therapy?
Physicians, Osteopaths, Chiropractors, Fitness Trainers & Pretenders
Only physical therapists possess the comprehensive 5-year (In the Egyptian educational system, the study period consists of five years, followed by one internship year.) clinical training in PT assessment, exercise prescription, and manual techniques. Additionally, they have the legal authority and medical expertise required to address complex injuries, neurological impairments, and post-surgical rehabilitation.
How to Identify Fake Physical Therapy Providers
No Visible License
Legitimate PTs display their Ministry of Health license and syndicate membership. Absence of these is a red flag.
No Initial Assessment or Documentation
Real PTs conduct detailed evaluations, set measurable goals, and record progress. “Treat-and-run” sessions without notes indicate unprofessionalism.
Overpromising Results
Beware claims to “cure” non-musculoskeletal illnesses (e.g., asthma, infertility). Such guarantees lack scientific evidence and violate PT scope.
Absence of Continual Education
Licensed PTs engage in Continuing Professional Development (CPD). Providers who never update their skills are likely unqualified. Mandatory CPD and adherence to Egypt’s National Guidelines of Physical Therapy Practice (2021), reinforcing that only formally trained PTs can meet the new law’s “diligent professional conduct” standards.
Use of Pseudoscientific Jargon
Terms like “innate intelligence,” “subluxation,” or “energy meridians” betray a non-evidence-based approach.
Fighting the Phenomenon in Egypt
New Medical Liability Law (Law No. 13/2025)
On April 28, 2025, Egypt published Law No. 13/2025 on Regulating Medical Liability and Patient Safety in the Official Gazette (Issue 17 bis), marking its first comprehensive framework for defining medical responsibility and codifying patient rights.
It establishes a government managed medical liability insurance fund to compensate victims of medical malpractice, ensuring that patients harmed by unqualified or negligent practitioners can seek redress without protracted litigation.
A National High Committee on Medical Liability and Patient Safety is created, comprised of senior doctors, legal experts, and health officials, empowered to investigate complaints and issue binding expert opinions streamlining dispute resolution and raising accountability for non-licensed providers.
The law abolishes pretrial detention for healthcare professionals accused of errors made in good faith, reserving detention only for cases of gross negligence or willful misconduct protecting legitimate PTs while spotlighting “pretenders” who breach recognized standards of care.
Raise Public Awareness
Share this article and local campaigns explaining the risks of unqualified PT. Partner with the Egyptian Physical Therapy Syndicate to host free community screenings.
Verify Credentials
Patients should always ask to see the Ministry of Health registration (Facility operating license) and syndicate card. Certified Clinics must display accreditation certificates from GAHAR. Unlicensed practitioners now face explicit liability under Law 13/2025.
Report Violations
File complaints with the Ministry of Health’s Technical Inspection Directorate or the Physical Therapy Syndicate against unlicensed centers (Law 51/1981 violations), Additionally, the provisions of Law 13/2025 regarding liability and patient compensation.
Support Regulatory Enforcement
Advocate for expedited inspections and enforcement actions under Article 211 of the Penal Code now buttressed by Law 13/2025’s strengthened penalties for unlicensed practice and malpractice.
Leverage Amicable Settlements
Utilize the law’s reconciliation panels to seek voluntary settlements with unqualified providers, benefiting from legally binding agreements that protect patient rights without lengthy court battles
Conclusion
High-quality physical therapy is a protected, evidence-based medical profession.
In Egypt and beyond, only licensed physical therapists possess the rigorous training, legal mandate, and ethical duty to deliver safe, effective rehabilitation. By learning how to spot fake providers and leveraging Egyptian law and accreditation systems, patients can protect their health and ensure every rehabilitation journey is led by a true physical therapy expert.
References
Standards of physical therapy practice. (n.d.-b). https://world.physio/sites/default/files/2020-07/G-2011-Standards-practice.pdf
Physical therapy accreditation standards. General Authority for Health Accreditation and Control. (n.d.). https://gahar.gov.eg/upload/physical-therapy-accreditation-standards-2021-1.pdf
تنظيم مزاولة مهنة العلاج الطبيعي. منشورات قانونية. (2018, October 1). https://manshurat.org/node/32972
قانون بإنشاء النقابة العامة العلاج الطبيعي. منشورات قانونية. (2021, November 8). https://manshurat.org/node/21723
Code of Ethics for Physical Therapy Practitioners. المجلس الصحي المصري. (n.d.). https://www.ehc.eg/ethics-physiotherapists
الهيئة العامة لشئون المطابع الاميرية قانون تنظيم المسئولية الطبية وسلامة المريض. الهيئة العامة لشئون المطابع الاميرية. (n.d.). http://www.alamiria.com
