Learn Farsi: هر قدم در فیزیوتراپی مهم است.

هر قدم simply means 'every step' and acts as the noun subject of this sentence. If you used the distributive pattern قدم به قدم, it would become an adverbial phrase meaning 'step by step' or 'gradually'. You would use it to describe how an action is performed, rather than as a subject. For example: قدم به قدم راه می‌رود (He walks step by step).

The English translation uses the verb 'matters', but I only see مهم است (is important) in the Farsi text. Is there no distinct verb for 'to matter'?

That is correct. Farsi does not have a single, widely used verb that directly translates the English concept of 'to matter' in this context. You should translate this idea using the adjective مهم (important) paired with the verb است (is). Literally, the sentence reads 'Every step in physiotherapy is important.'

Could I use the word گام instead of قدم in this sentence?

Yes, گام is an excellent synonym for قدم. While قدم often refers to the literal, physical act of taking a step (which fits perfectly with physiotherapy), both words are used for physical and metaphorical steps. You will also see both used in gradual reduplications: گام به گام and قدم به قدم mean exactly the same thing, though گام sounds slightly more formal or literary.

Why does the Farsi word فیزیوتراپی sound a bit different from the English word 'physiotherapy'?