Physiotherapist in Latviawhen a referral is needed, how many sessions, and what to bring
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A physiotherapist recommends exercises to ease back, joint or post-operative pain. The doctor discusses your everyday movement habits and adjusts the plan as you progress.
The consultation happens over video, so it works the same in Riga, Daugavpils, Liepaja, Jelgava, Jurmala, Ventspils and Rezekne.
No verified doctor in this area yet
We check every certificate by hand, so the list grows step by step. Choose another area or start with a family doctor.
Known physiotherapists in Latvia
No names are listed for this specialty yet
We are adding them gradually. Doctors you can book are shown at the top of this page.
When to call 113 instead of booking
- Sudden one-sided weakness, or speech or vision problems.
- Injury with a suspected fracture or a deformed limb.
- Severe back pain with leg weakness or difficulty passing urine.
- Chest pain or breathlessness on exertion.
- Rapidly increasing swelling and pain in a leg.
Physiotherapy is planned care. If you feel worse during a session, tell the physiotherapist immediately.
What a physiotherapist does
Veselības centru apvienība explains that a physiotherapist is a healthcare professional, a functional specialist, who helps patients reach the fullest range of movement and physical ability, either by developing it in the first place or by restoring it after loss through illness, injury or ageing.
Vidzeme Hospital states that you can see a physiotherapist:
- For health promotion and disease prevention.
- With a rehabilitation plan drawn up by a physical and rehabilitation medicine doctor.
- For acute and chronic conditions and injuries.
- After surgery.
Physiotherapists work with patients of all ages.
When a referral is needed
| Situation | Referral |
|---|---|
| State-funded consultation and sessions | A family doctor or specialist referral is required |
| Private physiotherapy | No referral needed; you can book directly |
| Therapeutic massage | Some providers state you can book without a referral or physiotherapy consultation, provided you have no acute injury, illness or pain |
| Pregnancy | Providers state that pregnant women need permission from their treating doctor, family doctor or gynaecologist |
Veselības centrs 4 recommends starting physiotherapy on a doctor's advice, even where no referral is formally required.
Methods
Veselības centru apvienība lists the methods a physiotherapist may use:
- Therapeutic exercise in a gym or pool
- Sessions using equipment-based technology
- Sling therapy
- Taping
- Soft tissue techniques
- Breathing therapy
Sessions can be individual, working one to one, or in groups including circuit training. During sessions patients are taught to perform exercises correctly at home to speed progress.
How someone becomes a physiotherapist in Latvia
- A physiotherapist is a registered healthcare professional and functional specialist listed in the practitioners register.
- Some specialists take further specialisation, for example in sports injuries, spinal problems, paediatric physiotherapy, or care for pregnant women and new mothers.
- The professional body for the field is the Latvian Association of Physiotherapists, which specialists may join.
- Register entries must be renewed every 5 years.
How to verify registration
- 1Open registri.vi.gov.lv/rap.
- 2Enter the specialist's surname or practitioner identifier.
- 3Look for the profession "Fizioterapeits". Physiotherapy assistants are registered separately.
- 4Check the registration validity date.
- 5For state-funded sessions, check that the provider holds a National Health Service contract.
Where physiotherapists work
Rīga
- Veselības centru apvienība
offering both state-funded consultations on referral and private sessions.
- Veselības centrs 4
which states it also offers home physiotherapy visits for patients who find it difficult to travel.
- Pauls Stradiņš Clinical University Hospital
where an individual physiotherapy or occupational therapy session lasts 45 minutes.
- Rīgas 1. slimnīca
whose rehabilitation clinic works with adults and children.
- Veselības Vēstniecība
which focuses particularly on pregnant women, new mothers, babies and children, including handling training.
How to choose
- Experience with your diagnosis. Veselības centrs 4 advises considering the specialist's experience with your specific problem, such as back pain, joints or sports injuries.
- Children or adults. Some specialists work only with one group, and this is usually stated.
- Home visits. If travel is difficult, some providers offer physiotherapy at home.
- Equipment. If pool exercise, sling therapy or equipment-based work is planned, choose a provider equipped for it.
- Group sessions. After a treatment course, some providers offer group sessions to maintain fitness.
The first visit and what to bring
At the first visit the physiotherapist assesses your needs, reviews any recommendations in the rehabilitation doctor's referral, goes through your medical history and carries out a physical assessment. An individual rehabilitation plan follows.
What to bring:
Reports from earlier investigations, doctors' consultation conclusions and hospital discharge summaries.
Reports from earlier investigations, doctors' consultation conclusions and hospital discharge summaries.
Comfortable clothing. Pauls Stradiņš Clinical University Hospital notes that sports shoes are not needed.
Comfortable clothing. Pauls Stradiņš Clinical University Hospital notes that sports shoes are not needed.
Your own towel or sheet to place on the exercise mat.
Your own towel or sheet to place on the exercise mat.
What to know during the session:
Exercises are performed according to your functional condition, on an exercise mat or a couch.
Exercises are performed according to your functional condition, on an exercise mat or a couch.
Tell the specialist about any change in your health, such as raised blood pressure.
Tell the specialist about any change in your health, such as raised blood pressure.
After spinal traction on a traction table you will need to lie down for 30 minutes.
After spinal traction on a traction table you will need to lie down for 30 minutes.
To assess you properly, the physiotherapist may ask you to remove clothing.
To assess you properly, the physiotherapist may ask you to remove clothing.
Cost and course length
In the public system, with a referral, a specialist visit costs 4.00 EUR, and children under 18 pay no co-payment. Private prices are set by the provider.
- State-funded consultation with a referralPrice EUR: 4.00Source: NVD
- Children under 18Price EUR: 0.00Source: NVD
- Private physiotherapy sessionPrice EUR: per provider price listSource: VCA
- Home physiotherapy visitPrice EUR: per provider price listSource: Veselības centrs 4
How many sessions. Veselības centrs 4 states that the number of visits is highly individual and depends on the severity of the diagnosis and the treatment goal, but that on average one course involves 6 to 12 sessions.
Oversight
A physiotherapist is a registered healthcare professional and therefore subject to practitioners register requirements and Health Inspectorate oversight.
The professional body for the field is the Latvian Association of Physiotherapists.
Rehabilitation doctors are represented by the Latvian Association of Rehabilitation Doctors, registration number 40008033635.
Patient rights and complaints
If you have doubts about the quality of a service received at a healthcare provider, raise them first with the provider's management. If that does not resolve it, a written submission goes to the Health Inspectorate no later than two years after the alleged infringement, and is reviewed within 30 days, extendable to four months in complex cases. The procedure is set out on the Health Inspectorate site.
FAQ
Do I need a referral to see a physiotherapist?
A family doctor or specialist referral is needed for state-funded consultations and sessions. No referral is needed for a private visit.
How many sessions will I need?
Veselības centrs 4 states that on average a course involves 6 to 12 sessions, though the number is individual.
What should I bring to the first visit?
Reports from earlier investigations, doctors' conclusions, discharge summaries and comfortable clothing. Sports shoes are not needed.
Can a physiotherapist visit at home?
Some providers offer home visits for patients who find it difficult to travel.
Do pregnant women need permission?
Providers state that pregnant women need permission from their treating doctor, family doctor or gynaecologist.
This page was reviewed by Sergejs Ponomarjovs, from the E-Medicīna team. More about us.
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Last reviewed: 8 August 2026
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