The Physio Shop

What The Physio Shop does

The Physio Shop Limited is a UK-based online distributor of physiotherapy, rehabilitation, and medical products founded in 1998, operating as one of the first businesses to bring physiotherapy supplies to e-commerce. The company runs a self-serve online storefront at physioshop.co.uk offering more than 50 product categories spanning electrotherapy equipment (Chattanooga, Cefar Compex, TENS units), orthopedic bracing (DonnJoy, Aircast), treatment plinths and massage tables, anatomical models and charts, kinesiology and strapping tapes, acupuncture supplies, and over 8,300 medical book titles resold from Elsevier and Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. Underlying technology is a conventional multi-currency e-commerce platform with shopping cart, wishlist, product comparison, and customer account features, supporting 8 currencies and global shipping to 180+ countries.

The business model is direct one-time unit sales at retail prices with select 5–20% discounts and a reward points system; there is no subscription or recurring component. Distribution is anchored by a 50,000 sq ft UK/European warehouse in Colchester operated via a 2020 partnership with Hub Freight Ltd, and the company maintains an additional Sydney, Australia office for global coverage. Customer segments are verticalized: professional physiotherapists and allied healthcare practitioners (primary), NHS and Armed Forces (government supply), educational institutions, sports clubs, and individual consumers. Channel partnerships with major manufacturers (Chattanooga, DJO/DonnJoy, Aircast, Cefar Compex, Anatomical Chart Company, Primal Pictures) provide product supply, while flagship community partnerships with Physiobase.com, PhysioBob.com, Physiosure.com, and The Physio Forum grant preferred-distribution access to a professional community of more than 50,000 physiotherapists. The company is privately held with 100% founder ownership, no external funding disclosed, and 1–10 employees.

Name

The Physio Shop

Legal name

The Physio Shop Limited

Website

https://physioshop.co.uk

Company type

Private

Founded year

1998

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

The Physio Shop is a UK-based online distributor, founded in 1998, selling physiotherapy equipment, rehabilitation supplies, medical books, and anatomical models to professionals, NHS/Armed Forces, educational institutions, sports clubs, and consumers across 180+ countries.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation Equipment Distribution

NAICS

Health and Personal Care Retailers (456), Sporting Goods Retailers (459110)

SIC

Orthopedic, Prosthetic & Surgical Appliances & Supplies (3842), Electromedical & Electrotherapeutic Apparatus (3845), Wholesale-Medical, Dental & Hospital Equipment & Supplies (5047)

akta.pro primary industry

Health, Wellness & Pharmacy Online Retailers (CRAFADAG)

akta.pro secondary industry

Recovery, Mobility & Therapy Accessories Retail (Foam Rollers, Massage Guns, Braces, Taping) (CRAMADAF)

Keywords

• Physiotherapy equipment distribution
• Medical rehabilitation supplies
• Physical therapy products
• Electrotherapy equipment retail
• Orthopedic braces and supports

Headquarters

HQ city

London

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Digital Commerce or Content

Cost components

Supply Chain, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Personnel, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. E-commerce Product Sales: Direct online sales of physiotherapy products including equipment, medical books, tapes, braces, plinths, electrotherapy devices, and rehabilitation supplies. Products are sold at individual retail prices with occasional discounts and promotions. Revenue is generated through one-time product transactions with no subscription component.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

The Physio Shop operates an online e-commerce store that distributes physiotherapy, rehabilitation and medical products to professional physiotherapists, healthcare facilities, government bodies, sports clubs, academic institutions and individual consumers worldwide. Its catalog covers electrotherapy equipment, treatment plinths, orthopedic braces, kinesiology tapes, acupuncture needles, anatomical models, sports first aid and medical books sourced from third-party manufacturers and publishers (Elsevier, Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, Chattanooga, DJO Global, Aircast, Cefar Compex) alongside its own Physio Shop Products line.

Product overview

The Physio Shop is a UK-based online physiotherapy product distributor and aggregated marketplace offering a comprehensive range of rehabilitation, physiotherapy, and medical products. The company operates as an e-commerce platform offering products from multiple partner brands alongside their own branded Physio Shop Products line. Their portfolio includes electrotherapy equipment (Cefar Compex, Chattanooga devices), anatomical models and charts, treatment plinths and massage tables, kinesiology tapes and strapping, knee and ankle braces, acupuncture supplies, medical books (Elsevier, Lippincott Williams & Wilkins), yoga products, sports first aid, and specialized equipment for physiotherapy, osteopathy, chiropractic, massage therapy, podiatry, sports medicine, and occupational therapy. They also operate recruitment platforms through PhysioBob's Jobs for physiotherapy and speech therapy professionals.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Physio Shop Products: Own branded product line sold through the platform

Products and services

• Electrotherapy Equipment Electrotherapy devices and accessories for physiotherapy pain management and muscle rehabilitation, including Chattanooga ultrasound units, interferrential units, combination units, Cefar Compex EMS and TENS devices, TENS replacement leads/electrodes, ultrasound gel and electrotherapy accessories.
• Physiotherapy Plinths and Massage Tables Treatment couches, electric and hydraulic plinths (2-section, 3-section, Bobath, tilt, traction, drainage), portable/folding massage tables, saddle stools and spare parts for clinics.
• Orthopedic Braces and Supports DonJoy knee braces (ligament, patellofemoral, osteoarthritis), ankle braces and supports, wrist/thumb braces, lumbar support, back and neck care (cushions, wedges, pillows, memory foam) and posture management products.
• Kinesiology Tape and Strapping Kinesiology tapes (including Rocktape), athletic strapping tapes, massage balls, and strapping products for sports and rehabilitation use.
• Acupuncture Needles Single-use acupuncture needles in packs of 100, 500 and 1000 from brands including Altra and MyAcu for acupuncture and dry-needling practitioners.
• Hot and Cold Therapy / Cryotherapy Aircast Cryo Cuff cold therapy machines, cuffs and accessories plus Hydrocollator moist heat units for cryotherapy and thermal therapy in physiotherapy practice.
• Anatomical Models Full-size anatomical skeletons, spine and skeleton models, extremities/limbs and peripheral joint anatomical models from Anatomical Chart Company for education and demonstration.
• Anatomy Charts and Posters Printed anatomy charts and posters for clinics, teaching rooms and student reference.
• Physiotherapy Educational DVDs Educational DVDs for physiotherapy, anatomy, clinical massage and yoga therapy, including Acland's DVD Series, Real Bodywork Clinical Education DVDs, Clinics in Motion DVDs and Yoga Therapy DVDs.
• Physiotherapy and Medical Books Medical textbooks and clinical references distributed from publishers including Elsevier (7,653+ titles) and Lippincott Williams & Wilkins / Wolters Kluwer Health (678+ titles), via distribution partner NBN International.
• Massage Lotions, Creams and Balms Professional massage lotions, creams and balms including the NAQI massage products range for clinical and sports massage use.
• Sports First Aid Supplies First aid supplies for sports and athletic environments, including Steroplast tapes, strappings and disposables.
• Balance and Rehabilitation Equipment Balance training products, parallel bars and stepping equipment for gait and balance rehabilitation.
• PhysioBob's Jobs Recruitment Platforms Online recruitment platforms listing physiotherapy jobs (PhysioBob's Jobs) and speech and language therapy jobs (Bob's Speech & Language Therapy Jobs).
• PPE Essentials Personal protective equipment supplies for clinical and sports use.
• Physio Shop Products (Own Brand Line) Own-branded physiotherapy and rehabilitation products sold under the "Physio Shop Products" label through the storefront.

Named customers5 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

19 partnerships are on record, tiered core, flagship and minor.

• Hub Freight LtdcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2020Hub Freight Ltd is a British family business trading for over 30 years. Partnership announced in 2020 provides access to a 50,000 square foot UK/European distribution warehouse in Colchester, United Kingdom. Enables consignment stock holding for partners expanding into Europe.
• Physiobase.comflagshipGTM or Marketing PartnerThe Physio Shop is the preferred online distribution partner for the Physiobase.com community. Physiobase.com is a leading online physiotherapy community platform.
• ElseviercoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorOfficial reseller of Elsevier medical and scientific publications. Offers over 7,653 Elsevier titles including medical textbooks, clinical references, and educational materials.
• Lippincott Williams & Wilkins (Wolters Kluwer Health)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorOfficial supplier of Wolters Kluwer Health / Lippincott Williams & Wilkins publications. Offers 678+ LWW titles plus anatomical charts and models.
• Anatomical Chart CompanycoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorReseller of Anatomical Chart Company anatomical charts and models for educational purposes in physiotherapy and medical training.
• Primal PicturesminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPartnership for 3D anatomy software and educational resources from Primal Pictures.
• ChattanoogacoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorReseller of Chattanooga electrotherapy equipment including ultrasound units, interferrential units, combination units, and accessories.
• DJO Global (DonJoy Orthopedic)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorOfficial reseller of DonJoy orthopedic braces including ligament knee bracing, patellofemoral knee bracing, and osteoarthritis knee bracing products.
• AircastcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorReseller of Aircast Cryo Cuff machines, cuffs, and accessories for cold therapy and cryotherapy treatments.
• Cefar CompexcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorReseller of Cefar Compex electrical muscle stimulation (EMS) and TENS devices for physiotherapy treatment.
• Clinics In MotionminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorReseller of Clinics In Motion educational DVDs for physiotherapy and clinical education.
• NBN InternationalcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDistribution channel partner for Wolters Kluwer Health publications. Orders are sent directly to NBN International warehouse and actioned within 48 hours during the working week.
• PhysioBob.comflagshipGTM or Marketing PartnerCommunity partnership providing access to physiotherapy professionals. Part of the network of over 50,000 physiotherapists.
• Physiosure.comflagshipGTM or Marketing PartnerCommunity partnership providing access to physiotherapy professionals. Part of the network of over 50,000 physiotherapists.
• The Physio ForumflagshipGTM or Marketing PartnerCommunity partnership providing access to physiotherapy professionals. Part of the network of over 50,000 physiotherapists.
• Human KineticsminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPartnership for sports medicine and physiotherapy educational resources from Human Kinetics.
• Seers MedicalminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorReseller of Seers Medical physiotherapy equipment including plinths and treatment tables.
• Spinal Products UKminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPartnership for spinal products and related physiotherapy supplies.
• Performance PhysiominorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorReseller of Performance Physio equipment and plinths.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Amazon Business: Broadline e-commerce marketplace that competes with The Physio Shop on braces, tape, TENS units, anatomical models, and medical books. Not a specialist peer, but the dominant alternative purchasing channel for many of the same SKUs.
• Henry Schein: Large-scale distributor of medical, dental, and healthcare supplies to professionals and institutions. Comparable supply chain footprint and B2B institutional reach, but operates across the full medical category rather than physio specialism.
• DJO Global (Enovis): Global manufacturer of orthopedic and rehabilitation products including DonJoy braces, Aircast cryotherapy, and Chattanooga electrotherapy — all lines The Physio Shop resells. Comparable by overlapping product portfolio but operates as manufacturer rather than distributor; also a key supplier dependency.
• Medline: Major manufacturer and distributor of medical supplies and equipment with strong institutional (hospital/health system) reach. Comparable as a medical supply distribution competitor targeting NHS-style procurement accounts.
• Performance Health (formerly Patterson Medical): Global distributor of physical therapy, rehabilitation, and orthopedic products with brands such as Rolyan and Sammons Preston. Most directly comparable to The Physio Shop by product mix (braces, electrotherapy, plinths, therapy supplies) but at vastly larger scale and broader geographic footprint.

Direct peers

• Sport-Tec: German online retailer specialising in physiotherapy, sports medicine, fitness, and rehabilitation equipment. Comparable product depth, e-commerce focus, and customer segments (clinicians, sports clubs, educational institutions).
• RehabMart: US-based online retailer of rehabilitation and medical equipment, including electrotherapy, braces, plinths, and therapy supplies. Comparable catalogue breadth, e-commerce-only model, and multi-customer-type focus (clinicians, institutions, consumers).
• PhysioRoom: UK-based online retailer of physiotherapy, sports injury, and rehabilitation products serving both clinicians and consumers. Closest direct competitor in geography, channel (pure e-commerce), and customer mix (physios + general public).
• Medicaleshop: International online retailer of medical, physiotherapy, and rehabilitation supplies with multi-currency and multi-country shipping. Comparable global e-commerce posture, product catalogue, and customer base (physiotherapists, hospitals, consumers).

Regional players

• Medisave: UK-based online retailer of medical supplies, diagnostic equipment, and physiotherapy products serving clinicians and consumers. Comparable geography, channel, and customer base, but broader medical focus versus physio specialism.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/physioshop

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about The Physio Shop