yemenjmedYemen Journal of MedicinecoVolume 5 Issue 1MultidisciplinaryEnglishJanuary- April 2026NNY20260427ArticlePhysiotherapy as a Pillar of Pain Management in Palliative MedicineEnglishY4756SavanKukadia1EnglishNRoshaniTank2EnglishY10.63475/yjm.v5i1.0366Pain is one of the most prevalent and distressing symptoms in palliative care, affecting physical, psychological, and functional well-being. Physiotherapy offers evidence-based, non-pharmacological strategies that complement medical management and address the multidimensional nature of pain. To summarize and critically evaluate physiotherapy modalities used for pain management in palliative care and describe their mechanisms and clinical applications. A narrative review approach was adopted. Relevant literature published between 2000 and 2025 was searched in PubMed, Scopus, ScienceDirect, Cochrane Library, and Google Scholar. English-language studies involving adult palliative patients and physiotherapy-based pain interventions were included. Data were extracted on study design, population, physiotherapy modality, mechanisms, and outcomes. Quality evaluation used appropriate tools, including Joanna Briggs Institute, the Critical Appraisal Skills Programme, and A Measurement instrument to Assess Systematic Reviews. Thirty-seven key studies formed the final synthesis. Physiotherapy modalities were grouped into functional (exercise, mobilization, positioning), electrotherapeutic (transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation, scrambler therapy, laser therapy), manual (massage, myofascial release), and mind–body approaches (breathing, relaxation, mirror therapy). Mechanisms of pain relief included peripheral desensitization, spinal modulation through Aβ-fiber activation, cortical reorganization, autonomic regulation, and biomechanical optimization. Physiotherapy is a vital component of holistic pain management in palliative care. By integrating physical, neurological, and psychological mechanisms, physiotherapy complements pharmacological strategies and enhances quality of life. Early interdisciplinary collaboration and continued research are essential to optimize physiotherapy utilization in palliative settings. Collaborative models that include physiotherapists from early stages of disease can enhance quality of life, lessen caregiver stress, and encourage continuity of care.EnglishPhysiotherapy, palliative care, pain management, rehabilitation, quality of lifehttps://yemenjmed.com/admin/abstract?id=383References1619