Physiotherapy Equipment Market Size, Share & Trends Analysis Report By Applications (Neurology, Musculoskeletal, Pediatric, Cardiovascular, Pulmonary), By Region, And Segment Forecasts, 2012 - 2022

Industry Insights

The global physiotherapy equipment market size was valued at USD 16.3 billion in 2016 and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 7.1% over the forecast period. Increasing incidence rate of injuries and pain in the body’s ligaments, nerves, muscles, back and neck due to unhealthy lifestyle is a key driving factor of the market growth. Furthermore, the rise in road accidents and prevalence of stroke & Parkinson’s disease are likely to drive the market in the coming years.

Technological advancements and innovations by the market players are further expected to increase the market demand. Apps such as PTGenie are now being designed to assists patients in following their home exercise programs (HEPs). In February 2016, BioGaming (Israel based company) received the FDA approval for its YuGo Microsoft Kinect-based physical therapy system.

Increase in a number of physiotherapy clinics and expansion of services are expected to propel the market growth. In January 2015, Glasgow Caledonian University (GCU) launched the Caledonian Clinic, which offers advice and specialist healthcare services to staff and students. The clinic offers physiotherapy services such as remedial and sports massage, manipulative therapy and acupuncture.

In February 2014, SingHealth Polyclinics (SHP) launched its physiotherapy service in Geylang, to provide better patient care in the community and to reduce the requirement of referring them to the hospitals.

Application Insights

By application, the market has been segmented into neurology, musculoskeletal, pediatric, cardiovascular & pulmonary, and others. The neurological application further includes diseases such as stroke, spinal cord injuries, Parkinson, multiple sclerosis, and cerebral palsy.

In 2014, musculoskeletal segment accounted for the largest share of the market due to increase in musculoskeletal disorders. About 80% of people at some time of their lifetime suffer from lower back pain. Musculoskeletal is reported to be the most common reason for repeatedly visiting general practitioners and long-term sick leaves.

Neurology is expected to witness the fastest growth during the forecast period due to the prevalence of neurological disorders, unmet clinical needs in low-income countries, rising awareness levels among patients and healthcare professionals, and increasing level of disposable income.

Within neurology segment, spinal cord injuries accounted for the largest share in 2014. However, cerebral palsy is likely to drive the market with the fastest growth. Around 8,000 to 10,000 babies and infants are diagnosed per year with Cerebral Palsy in the U.S. 

Others segment include disorders related to sports, women health, and palliative care. Sport-related conditions are tearing, stretching, and swelling of body muscles. According to data published by National Athletic Trainers’ Association, 62% of sports injuries occur during practice and about 8,000 athletes are treated for the same in the emergency room.

Type Insights

Various types of physiotherapy include hydrotherapy, cryotherapy, Continuous Passive Motion (CPM), ultrasound electric stimulation, heat therapy, therapeutic exercise, and others. In 2014, ultrasound accounted for the largest share of the market and is expected to maintain its dominance during the forecast period.

A dominance of the ultrasound segment can be attributed to its ability to speed up the healing process and reduce the swelling & edema. Ultrasound therapies are used in conditions such as tendonitis, ligament sprains, muscle strains, joint inflammation, rheumatoid arthritis, and osteoarthritis.  

Electric stimulation segment also contributed significant share in the market. The therapy is used to help muscles function better and improve blood circulation in the affected site. Electrical stimulation therapy is mainly used for rehabilitation of neurological disorders such as stroke, cerebral palsy, multiple sclerosis, and Parkinson’s disease.

Different types of electrical stimulations are Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS), Russian stimulation, neuromuscular electrical stimulation, inferential current (IFC), and high voltage stimulation.

Demographic Insights

By demography, the market has been segmented into a geriatric and non-geriatric population. Geriatric and non-geriatric population into further segmented into, in-patient and outpatient based on hospitalization. In 2014, non-geriatric patient population accounted for the largest share of the market. However, geriatric population segment is anticipated to grow at a rapid rate due to increasing aging population across the world. 

In 2014, out-patient sub-segment dominated the physiotherapy equipment market and is likely to witness the fastest growth during the forecast period. Expensive hospital stay and care in underdeveloped Asian and African countries is a major driver for patients to prefer outpatient services.

The rise in the chronic diseases, initialization of government programs, and more demand for home-based treatment for a geriatric population are the major factors for the dominance and the growth of the out-patient segment of the market. 

End-use Insights

By end use, the market has been segmented into hospitals, clinics, and others. In 2014, hospitals accounted for the largest share of the market due to a large patient pool and implementation of various programs by hospitals based on the need of a patient. The Orthopedic Physiotherapy Department brought in the most revenue according to a survey conducted in 2013 by Ambulatory Surgical Centers of America.

Changing demographics globally and uptake of sports as a profession by individuals are expected to propel the market growth. Furthermore, availability of physiotherapists and equipment in such institutes is mandatory according to the regulatory bodies for safeguarding the well-being of the participants, thereby promoting growth.

Regional Insights

North America dominated the overall market in terms of revenue share in 2014, owing to the high incidence rates of road and workplace accidents, rising population of women suffering from osteoporosis and increasing geriatric population. However, Asia Pacific is projected to witness the fastest growth in coming years due to constantly improving healthcare infrastructure, the presence of untapped opportunities, economic development, and rising patient awareness levels.

Presence of supportive government initiatives pertaining to collaborative programs with the physiotherapy societies of western countries is one of the critical success factors expected to boost market growth over the forecast period. Europe contributed significant share in the market and UK, Germany, and France accounted for the major share in the region.

In January 2015, Glasgow Caledonian University (GCU) launched the Caledonian Clinic that offers advice and specialist healthcare services to staff and students. The clinic offers physiotherapy services such as remedial and sports massage, manipulative therapy and acupuncture.

Furthermore, Europe has the world’s highest proportion of the elderly population and is estimated to retain this distinction for at least coming 50 years. The older population has a greater risk of disability as compared to the adult population. Hence, with the increase in the geriatric population, the demand for rehabilitation and physical therapy is expected to grow rapidly in the coming years.

Physiotherapy Equipment Market Share Insights

Key industry contributors are Patterson Medical Holdings, Inc., DJO Global, Enraf-Nonius, Kindred Healthcare, Inc., Select Medical, BTL Industries, Concentra Operating Corporation, US Physical Therapy, Inc., EMS Physio Ltd., and Isokinetic, Inc.

Development of advanced equipment and collaborations & partnerships for the geographical expansions are the key strategies of the market players to increase their share. For instance, dry needling (eliminate pain), anti-gravity treadmills and robot-assisted walking for patients with spinal cord injuries, and computer-aided therapy programs for the patients suffering from stroke and other cardiovascular diseases are new trends introduced in this industry.

The Kindred Rehabilitation Services operates 18 Inpatient Rehabilitation Facilities (IRF), 100 hospital-based acute rehabilitation units, primary rehabilitation services in 46 states, 90 nursing centers, and 7 assisted living facilities in 18 states.

In June 2011, the company acquired RehabCare Group, Inc. for USD 963 million. The acquisition allowed access to 32 TC hospitals, 5 IRFs, 102 acute rehabilitation units, and 1,200 rehabilitation therapy sites.

In January 2016, Select Medical Holdings Corporation acquired Physiotherapy Associates Holdings, Inc. for USD 400 million. Through the acquisition, Select received access to Physiotherapy’s 500 medical facilities nationwide. The company started operating in 1997 with both hospitals and rehabilitation clinics.

Select Medical as of December 2015, operates 1,308 outpatient rehabilitation clinics in 31 states. In December 2015, the company earned around 22% net revenue from outpatient rehabilitation segment. The rehabilitation centre provides contract therapy for physical, speech, and occupational disabilities.

In March 2016, US Physical Therapy, Inc. acquired physical therapy businesses at eight locations with annual revenue of USD 9 million. The deal was worth USD 13.7 million and was expected to boost the business growth of the company.

In 2017, Archimed SAS (which owns RehabWorks) completed the acquisition of Crystal Palace Physio Group. The acquisition is expected to push the business and in becoming a leading provider of Musculoskeletal and Mental Health solutions.

Report Scope

Segments covered in the report

This report forecasts revenue growth and provides an analysis of the industry trends in each of the sub-segments from 2012 to 2022. For the purpose of this study, Grand View Research has segmented the global physiotherapy equipment market report based application, type, demographic, end-use, and region:

• Global Physiotherapy Equipment Application Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2012 - 2022)

  • Neurology

    • Stroke

    • Spinal cord injuries

    • Parkinson’s disease

    • Multiple sclerosis

    • Cerebral palsy

    • Others

  • Musculoskeletal

  • Pediatric

  • Cardiovascular & Pulmonary

  • Others

• Global Physiotherapy Equipment Types Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2012 - 2022)

  • Hydrotherapy

  • Cryotherapy

  • CPM

  • Ultrasound

  • Electric Stimulation

  • Heat Therapy

  • Therapeutic Exercise

  • Others

•  Global Physiotherapy Equipment Demographic Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2012 - 2022)

  • Geriatric population

    • In-patient (hospital) treatment

    • Out-patient treatment

      • Convalescent homes based treatment

      • Home based treatment

      • Others

  • Non-geriatric population

    • In-patient (hospital) treatment

    • Out-patient treatment

      • Convalescent homes based treatment

      • Home based treatment

      • Others 

• Global Physiotherapy Equipment End Use Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2012 - 2022) 

  • Hospitals

  • Clinics

  • Others

• Physiotherapy Equipment Regional Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2012 - 2022)

  • North America

    • U.S.

    • Canada

  • Europe

    • UK

    • Germany

    • France

    • Rest of Europe

  • Asia Pacific

    • Japan

    • China

    • India

    • Rest of Asia Pacific

  • Latin America

    • Brazil

    • Mexico

    • Rest of Latin America

  • Middle East and Africa

    • South Africa

    • Rest of Middle East and Africa