How to check a physio is registered and experienced with your injury

A physio's qualifications and registration are not the same thing, and asking for one does not guarantee you get the other. Before you book your first appointment, you need to verify both—and crucially, confirm they have worked with injuries like yours.

Search the register and ask for proof

Physiotherapists in South Africa must be registered with the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA). Visit the HPCSA website and search their public register by the practitioner's name or registration number. A current entry confirms they are licensed to practise. Do not assume a business listing or website means they are registered; the register is the only source of truth. When you call or message the physio, ask for their HPCSA registration number upfront. A legitimate practitioner will give it to you without hesitation. If they are evasive, unclear or cannot produce it, stop there.

Registration alone tells you they have met baseline training and completed accredited study. It does not tell you whether they are any good at treating *your* injury. That requires a second layer of checking. Ask the physio directly: "How many patients have you treated with [your specific injury] in the last two years?" Listen for a concrete answer. "Quite a few" or "I see a lot of back pain" is not specific enough. You want them to say something like "I've worked with 20-plus rotator cuff tears" or "I've rehabilitated several ACL reconstructions."

If they cannot give you a number or dodge the question, they may lack the experience you need. Some injuries benefit from a physio who has spent time focusing on that particular condition. A physio with deep experience treating your injury will know the common pitfalls, typical timelines and what progression should look like.

Check references and ask the right people

Ask the physio for contact details of two or three recent patients (not people they choose—ask for names, phone numbers and permission to call). Do not rely on Google reviews or testimonials on their website; those are filtered. When you call or WhatsApp a real patient, ask specifically: "Did they help you get better?" "How long did you see them?" "Would you go back if you had the same injury again?" "Did they explain what they were doing and why?" A patient who has been through rehab with them can tell you whether the physio listened, communicated clearly and delivered results.

You can also ask the physio whether they work with any GPs, sports doctors or orthopaedic surgeons who refer patients to them. If they have standing referral relationships with medical professionals, that suggests they have earned trust through consistent good outcomes. Do not ask if they work with these doctors; ask if they *receive referrals* from them. The difference matters.

Before your first session, confirm the physio has experience not just with your injury type but with your circumstances. Are you returning to sport? Managing chronic pain? Recovering from surgery? A physio who has treated five post-surgical ACL cases has different depth than one who has seen only two. And one who regularly works with athletes will approach your rehab differently from one who mostly treats office workers with postural issues.

Check also whether they hold any additional qualifications or certifications in injury rehabilitation—for instance, a formal qualification in sports physiotherapy or a course specialising in your specific condition. These are on top of their basic HPCSA registration. It is not a hard requirement, but it signals investment in learning beyond the baseline.

Once you have verified their registration, checked their experience and spoken to former patients, you will have a realistic sense of whether they are the right fit. When you are ready to move forward, you can find vetted physios on Strove, compare their credentials and booking availability, and read verified patient reviews all in one place.