On September 8th, a meeting with residents will take place in Piazza del Popolo and the launch of "PHYSIOTHERAPIST IN THE PHARMACY." On the 9th, a meeting with students will take place at the University Campus Bio-Medico.
Rome, 3 September 2026 Two days dedicated to citizens, institutions, the local community, and the professionals of tomorrow. The Order of Physiotherapists of Lazio (OFI Lazio) celebrates World Physiotherapy Day 2026 with a program of events on September 8th and 9th in Rome, highlighting the value of physiotherapy in prevention, treatment, rehabilitation, and health promotion.
On World Physiotherapy Day, celebrated annually on September 8th, OFI Lazio renews its commitment to promoting the role of physiotherapists in protecting the health of individuals and the community. The message chosen for 2026 is "The Heart Is in Charge. Physiotherapy for Cardiovascular Health," with a particular focus on the profession's contribution to the prevention and management of cardiovascular diseases.
Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of death globally, causing over 20,5 million deaths each year, 85% of which are caused by heart attacks and strokes. Along with other noncommunicable diseases (NCDs), such as diabetes, cancer, and chronic lung diseases, it represents a major challenge for healthcare systems.
Prevention, physical activity, healthy lifestyles, and appropriate management can help reduce its impact. In this scenario, physiotherapists play an increasingly important role in supporting people in prevention, functional recovery, and maintaining independence and quality of life.
SEPTEMBER 8TH IN PIAZZA DEL POPOLO: "LET'S PUT PEOPLE AT THE CENTER"
On Tuesday, September 8th, from 10:00 am am to 7:00 pm, OFI Lazio will be in Piazza del Popolo, Rome, with its own gazebo to meet directly with citizens under the slogan "Let's put people first."
It will be a day dedicated to information, discussion, and dissemination of the role of physiotherapy and physiotherapists in cardiovascular health, with the aim of raising awareness of the importance of prevention, physical activity, and proper rehabilitation.
Physiotherapists from Lazio will be available to provide information, guidance, and helpful advice, and will distribute materials on prevention and cardiovascular health.
The day will also mark a new chapter in "Physiotherapist in Order," the information campaign promoted by OFI Lazio to ensure the safety of care and combat unauthorized professional practice. Through this initiative, the Order reminds citizens of the importance of verifying that the professional they entrust to is properly registered with the Order.
"PHYSIOTHERAPIST IN PHARMACY" IS UNDERWAY: PHYSIOTHERAPY ENTERS THE LOCAL NETWORK
Among the innovations presented on World Physiotherapy Day will be the launch of the experimental project "Physiotherapist in the Pharmacy. A Sustainable Model of Community Health," promoted by OFI Lazio to further bring physiotherapy closer to the public and identify the population's rehabilitation needs early.
The project aims to enhance the pharmacy as a local healthcare facility and a privileged place for community contact, introducing a physiotherapist to provide a first-class response to rehabilitation needs.
The goal is to promptly identify a person's needs, help prevent the progression of more complex or chronic conditions, and guide the individual toward the most appropriate health, treatment, and rehabilitation program, based on the nature and complexity of the identified need.
For pharmacies participating in the trial, the day dedicated to the presence of the physiotherapist will be completely free, thus allowing pharmacies to concretely test the new model without charges and allowing citizens to connect with a qualified professional directly in a local healthcare facility.
As part of the trial, the physiotherapist will offer rehabilitation assessment and guidance services in the pharmacy. Based on identified needs, he or she will be able to propose basic rehabilitation programs and self-care programs, including remotely, accompanied by final assessments.
When the need for further diagnostic or therapeutic investigations arises, the physiotherapist will direct the citizen towards the general practitioner, the specialist or the public services and structures in the area, promoting appropriate and integrated care.
The participating pharmacy will provide a suitable, private space for carrying out these activities and will support the organization of the service through its own staff, also facilitating the booking of services requested by users.
"Physiotherapist in Pharmacy" thus presents itself as an experimental model of community-based healthcare, based on the integration of professionals and services and the ability to bring qualified care ever closer to people's homes.
The initiative also aims to test new collaboration methods that can facilitate access to physiotherapy, improve citizen orientation within the service network, and help identify rehabilitation needs before they develop into more complex situations.
OFI Lazio at the Ministry of Health
On the afternoon of September 8th, OFI Lazio will also participate in the initiative promoted by the National Federation of Physiotherapy Professional Associations (FNOFI) at the Ministry of Health, contributing to an institutional discussion dedicated to the profession and its prospects.
An opportunity to reaffirm the value of physiotherapy within the National and Regional Health Services and the contribution of physiotherapists to prevention, addressing health needs, rehabilitation, and building a healthcare system that is increasingly accessible to people.
On September 9th, the Order meets with future PHYSIOTHERAPISTS
The following day, Wednesday, September 9, the Order of Physiotherapists of Lazio will stop at the University.
From 14.00pm to 18.30pm, OFI Lazio will be guests at theUniversità Campus Bio-Medico di Roma to meet third-year students of the Physiotherapy degree courses at the universities of Lazio.
A time designed to engage with those who are training and preparing to enter the profession, sharing experiences, perspectives, and responsibilities that will accompany their future professional journey.
The meeting will also provide an opportunity to explore the evolution of health needs and the growing importance of physiotherapy in prevention, treatment, rehabilitation, and independence maintenance.
Particular attention will be paid to the role of physiotherapy in cardiovascular disease and stroke. Following institutional greetings, the program will include discussions on stroke recovery, from the acute phase to stabilization, and on the prevention and treatment of chronic non-communicable diseases.
A second part will focus on the students' professional future, with insights into the autonomy and responsibility of physiotherapists, freelance work, post-basic training, refresher courses, research, and skills development.
The day will conclude with a round table discussion involving representatives of theUniversità Campus Bio-Medico di Roma and OFI Lazio, with the aim of promoting dialogue between the worlds of education and the profession.
The initiatives of September 8th and 9th thus illustrate the various dimensions of the commitment of the Order of Physiotherapists of Lazio: close to citizens, present in the territory, alongside institutions, and in dialogue with the professionals of tomorrow.
World Physiotherapy Day 2026 therefore becomes not only a moment of celebration, but a concrete opportunity to affirm the value of a healthcare profession that is increasingly central to the construction of a healthcare system oriented towards prevention, proximity, appropriateness and quality of care, accompanying the person and their health needs throughout their life.
