What Is Corporate Physiotherapy? (& What's Included)

Corporate physiotherapy is a physiotherapy service delivered within or in partnership with a workplace, designed to prevent and treat musculoskeletal (MSK) conditions in employees. It typically includes onsite physiotherapy clinics where a Chartered Physiotherapist attends the employer's premises on a scheduled basis, DSE (Display Screen Equipment) workstation assessments as required under Irish health and safety legislation, and return-to-work rehabilitation for employees recovering from injury or surgery. The goal is to reduce absenteeism, support employee wellbeing, and help employers meet their duty-of-care obligations under the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005.

Corporate physiotherapy also called workplace physiotherapy or occupational physiotherapy refers to physiotherapy services delivered in partnership with employers to support the musculoskeletal health and wellbeing of their workforce. Unlike standard clinical physiotherapy, corporate physiotherapy is structured around the needs of employers and HR/EHS teams, not just individual patients.

Musculoskeletal disorders (back pain, neck pain, shoulder injuries, repetitive strain injury) are among the most common causes of work-related absence in Ireland. Corporate physiotherapy addresses these conditions early reducing sick days, cutting occupational health costs, and supporting employees back to full function and full duties.

What Is Included in Corporate Physiotherapy?

1. Onsite Physiotherapy Clinics

A Chartered Physiotherapist attends your workplace on an agreed schedule weekly, fortnightly, or monthly. Employees are allocated appointment slots, removing the need to take time off for external appointments. Sessions typically last 30–45 minutes and cover assessment, hands-on treatment, and exercise prescription.

2. DSE Workstation Assessments

Under the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (General Application) Regulations 2007 (S.I. No. 299 of 2007), employers must assess the workstation risk of every habitual display screen equipment user. A physiotherapist-led DSE assessment provides a clinical assessment of posture and workstation setup, equipment recommendations, a written compliance report for employer records, and individual postural and exercise advice for the employee.

3. Musculoskeletal (MSK) Triage

Rapid access assessment for employees presenting with a musculoskeletal complaint providing a clinical pathway decision (onsite physiotherapy, GP referral, or specialist onward referral) without the employee needing to navigate GP or occupational health queues.

4. Return-to-Work Rehabilitation

Structured rehabilitation programmes for employees returning to work after injury, surgery, or prolonged absence. Includes a graded duties plan specifying what the employee can do at each stage, GP and occupational health liaison, and employer guidance on reasonable adjustments.

5. Employee Wellbeing Talks

Physio-led group sessions covering back care, desk posture, running injury prevention, or lifting technique typically 30–60 minutes. Suitable for staff away-days, health and safety weeks, or as standalone wellbeing initiatives.

Who Typically Procures Corporate Physiotherapy?

Corporate physiotherapy is usually commissioned by one of several roles within an organisation, each with a slightly different priority:

Corporate Physiotherapy vs Standard Physiotherapy Key Differences

Frequently Asked Questions Corporate Physiotherapy

• Is corporate physiotherapy the same as occupational therapy?

  No occupational therapy (OT) and physiotherapy are distinct professions with different scopes of practice, though both can work in occupational health settings. Physiotherapy focuses on musculoskeletal assessment, manual therapy, exercise prescription, and rehabilitation for physical conditions. Occupational therapy focuses on functional activity, adaptive equipment, and supporting people with long-term disabilities or complex conditions to participate in daily life and work. For musculoskeletal conditions back pain, shoulder injury, repetitive strain physiotherapy is the relevant profession.
• How many employees do we need to justify an onsite physiotherapy clinic?

  There is no minimum headcount, but onsite clinics typically make financial sense for organisations of 50 or more employees where a regular scheduled session (e.g., half-day fortnightly) can be filled consistently. For smaller organisations, a shared clinic model or a session bank arrangement (a pre-purchased block of hours) can be more appropriate.
• Do employees need to see a GP before accessing corporate physiotherapy?

  No. Employees can be referred directly by their line manager, HR, or EHS team, or can self-refer, without a GP letter. Direct access physiotherapy is the standard model for corporate services and produces faster outcomes than GP-gated referral pathways.
• Is corporate physiotherapy covered by VHI Corporate, Laya Healthcare or Garda Medical Aid for Business?

  VHI Corporate, Laya Healthcare and Garda Medical Aid offer employer-funded health insurance plans that include physiotherapy benefit. In most cases, employees using an onsite corporate physiotherapy clinic can claim sessions through their insurer in the usual way. Confirm with your specific plan for per-session limits and excess terms.