Group links

• WCPT subgroups
• WCPT networks
• Other international physiotherapy groups

WCPT subgroups

• International Acupuncture Association of Physical Therapists

The International Association of Physical Therapists (IAAPT) is an international network of physical therapy associations and individuals interested in the practice of acupuncture.

• International Association of Physical Therapists in Animal Practice

Although entry level physical therapy education does not include examination, evaluation, assessment, and treatment of animals, physical therapists in several countries have been leaders in the development of specialised educational programmes in the rehabilitation of animals. Many have formed animal physical therapy groups recognised by their national professional associations who have come together to create the International Association of Physical Therapists in Animal Practice (IAPTAP).

• International Association of Physical Therapists working with Older People

The International Association of Physical Therapists working with Older People (IPTOP) represents national special interest groups of physical therapists working with older people. The efforts of the association are directed towards enabling national organisations and their individual members to work with older people through research, evidence based practice, clinical specialisation and collaborative practice with other disciplines and carers. The intention of the association is to be the international resource for physical therapists working with older people.

• International Confederation of Cardiorespiratory Physical Therapists

The International Confederation of Cardiorespiratory Physical Therapists (ICCrPT) was approved as a subgroup of WCPT at the 17th General Meeting of WCPT, in Amsterdam, June 2011.

Representatives from WCPT member organisations in the following countries are active in the group, either through membership on the steering committee or through regular communication: Australia, Brazil, Canada, Colombia, Denmark, Hong Kong, Ireland, Japan, New Zealand, South Africa, Sweden, Taiwan, United Kingdom and United States of America.

• International Federation of Orthopaedic Manipulative Physical Therapists

The International Federation of Orthopaedic Manipulative Physical Therapists (IFOMPT) is an organisation of specialist physiotherapists with an internationally recognised post-graduate qualification.

• International Federation of Sports Physical Therapy

The International Federation of Sports Physical Therapy (IFSPT) is a worldwide federation representing national organisations of sports physiotherapy. It supports member organisations and their members in serving athletes of all ages and abilities through excellence in education, research, practice, and clinical specialisation.  

• The International Neurological Physical Therapy Association

The International Neurological Physical Therapy Association (INPA) represents national groups of physical therapists with a specialist interest in neurology and neuroscience.  International Organization of Physical Therapists in Women's Health

• International Organisation of Physical Therapists in Paediatrics

The purpose of the International Organisation of Physical Therapists in Paediatrics (IOPTP) is to provide a means by which WCPT member organisations having a common interest in children and their families may meet, confer and promote these interests.

• International Organization of Physical Therapy in Mental Health

The International Organization of Physical Therapy in Mental Health (IOPTMH) is an international network of physical therapists working in the field of psychiatry and mental health.

• International Organization of Physical Therapists in Women's Health

The International Organization of Physical Therapists in Women's Health (IOPTWH) is an organisation made up of WCPT member organisations' special interest groups in women's health.

The mission of the IOPTWH is to improve health care for women internationally through facilitation and promotion of best-practice in women's health physical therapy.  

• International Private Practitioners Association  

The International Private Practitioners Association (IPPA) aims to support independent private practice worldwide, developing pathways for communication and disseminating information.

• International Society for Electrophysical Agents in Physical Therapy

The International Society for Electrophysical Agents in Physical Therapy (ISEAPT) is an international physical therapy organisation with specific interest in the area of Electrophysical Agents (EPA).

WCPT networks

• Aquatic Physical Therapy International

The mission of the Aquatic Physical Therapy International (APTI) network is to promote evidence based aquatic physical therapy around the world.  Membership of APTI is free, and open to all physical therapists working in aquatic therapy who would like to become more informed about aquatic therapy, and would like to share their experiences.  Also physical therapy students with a clear interest in this area can apply.

• International Network of Physical Therapists in Special Olympics FUNfitness

The International Network of Physical Therapists in Special Olympics FUNfitness is focused on Special Olympics FUNfitness and on health promotion and fitness for those with intellectual disability and cognitive impairment.

• International Network of Spinal Cord Injury physiotherapists

The International Network of SCI Physiotherapists (SCIPT) is a not-for-profit initiative of physiotherapists worldwide. It is for physiotherapists working in the area of spinal cord injuries although other physiotherapists are welcome to join.

• International Society of Physiotherapy Journal Editors

The International Society of Physiotherapy Journal Editors (ISPJE) provides a forum to discuss issues related to the publication of physiotherapy journals, enhances collaboration among physiotherapy journals, facilitates improvement in quality of publications within the field of physiotherapy and promotes physiotherapy publications worldwide.

• WCPT network for ICF

The goal of the ICF network is to raise the profile of the ICF among WCPT member organisations and gain greater use of the ICF by physical therapists.

Other international physiotherapy groups

• International Federation of Physical Therapists working in Occupational Health and Ergonomics

An international group of practitioners working in occupational health, ergonomics and vocational rehabilitation is keen to establish an organisation provisionally entitled the International Federation of Physical Therapists working in Occupational Health and Ergonomics, with the aim of becoming a subgroup of WCPT.

• International Physiotherapy Group for Cystic Fibrosis

The International Physiotherapy Group for Cystic Fibrosis (IPG-CF) is an international working committee founded in 1986 with a focus on cystic fibrosis.

• International Society of Educators in Physiotherapy

The International Society of Educators in Physiotherapy (ISEP) is a network of physiotherapy educators from nations around the world. This non-profit organisation aims to encourage communication within the international physiotherapy community in order to promote excellence in physiotherapy education and practice. The mission of the ISEP is to identify and share common issues, themes and strategies for the enhancement of physiotherapy education globally.