The Ultimate Guide to Physios in Hong Kong

Whether you suffer from sports injuries, chronic pain, posture issues or post-operative pain, physiotherapy sessions are a great option to recover. If you are looking for a physiotherapist in Hong Kong, Healthy Matters brings you a comprehensive guide, with practical details.

Methodology: This guide does not aim to be exhaustive. It is informative only and based on our independent research. 

What is physiotherapy?

Physiotherapy, also called physical therapy, is a science-based therapeutic approach that aims at treating people suffering from disability, illness or injury. Physiotherapists use many techniques such as: exercise and joint mobilization, muscle strengthening, manual skills, ultrasound, hot-pad or ice-pack. They also give advice about day-to-day life habits to enhance patients’ well-being and general health.

Anyone at any age may benefit from physiotherapy. Physiotherapy may help relieve pains or other long-term injuries or conditions. It might also be indicated to see a physiotherapist during pregnancy of before a sporting event in order to better prepare your body.

There are currently 3,239 registered physiotherapists in Hong Kong. Physiotherapy in Hong Kong is regulated. It is overseen by the Physiotherapists Board established by the “Supplementary Medical Professions Ordinance, Chapter 359, Laws of Hong Kong” in 1981. The main function of the Physiotherapists Board is to “maintain a register of physiotherapists” and “promote adequate standards of professional practice and conduct” among the practitioners.

All practicing physiotherapists in Hong Kong have to be registered with the Physiotherapists Board.

You can find a list of all registered physiotherapists in Hong Kong here

Physiotherapists operate both in the public and private sectors. In Hong Kong, the cost of seeing a physiotherapist varies greatly (just like for other health professions).

1 - Public sector:

For consultations in the public sector, in general out-patient clinics, the cost of a physiotherapy session is of HK$50 per attendance.

Beware of waiting times which can be very long in the public sector.

2 - Private hospitals – Outpatient clinics:

In private hospitals, according to our research, the cost of first sessions assessment ranges between HK$100 and HK$1,540. Prices for follow-up sessions will depend on the type of therapy that you need.

3 - Private clinics:

In private practice, the cost of seeing a physiotherapist varies tremendously, and according to the practitioner’s location. According to our research, the average cost of 1h session can vary between HK$1,000 and HK$1,900.

*All amounts are in HKD and were last updated in May 2020. No responsibility is accepted for any inaccuracies, errors, or omissions. It is always best to call ahead to make sure the information is still up-to-date.

The following includes both private and public sector providers.

1 – Public sector providers:

Here is the list of public centers providing physiotherapy services throughout Hong Kong.

2 – Private sector providers:

You can search for Physiotherapists according to their locations here.

According to Alea most health insurance plans in Hong Kong cover physiotherapy under in-patient and out-patient care. It is important to note that most plans require a doctor referral letter to be eligible for reimbursement; especially so for series of treatments. Insurance plans usually limit physiotherapy treatment reimbursements and such limits can be: a maximum number of sessions pay year; a maximum overall amount per year; and/or a maximum amount per session. 

If you have any health insurance questions, contact Alea’s healthcare and health insurance advisors at [email protected].