physical therapist

noun

plural physical therapists

: a person licensed to practice physical therapy : a health care professional who provides therapy to preserve, enhance, or restore movement and physical function that are impaired or threatened by disease, injury, or disability

… a physical therapist can show you exercises to maintain strength and movement in the affected area and may also use transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation …

—Self Healing

While activity may worsen pain, activity directed by physical therapists, which may be done in therapy sessions and sometimes at home, provides some relief.

—Schenectady (New York) Daily Gazette

—abbreviation PT

called also physiotherapist

Examples of physical therapist in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Physical therapy: Therapeutic exercises, performed by a physical therapist and incorporated into a home program help manage pain, and improve flexibility and mobility. —Diane Omdahl, Forbes.com, 16 May 2025

Vogue chatted with health experts—fitness trainers, physical therapists, medical doctors, and more—to determine the value of these blankets, and which ones might be worth adding to your home. —Kristine Thomason, Vogue, 16 May 2025

When to see a doctor: A pelvic floor physical therapist can work with you to relax your pelvic muscles as well as those surrounding it. —Cheyenne Buckingham, SELF, 13 May 2025

Over the course of 119 days, a team of physical therapists worked with Jackie to continue beating the odds. —Zoey Lyttle, People.com, 7 May 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1908, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for physical therapist

• physiotherapist
• psychotherapist

Kids Definition

physical therapist

noun

: a person who is a specialist in physical therapy

Medical Definition

physical therapist

noun

: a person licensed to practice physical therapy : a health-care professional who provides therapy to preserve, enhance, or restore movement and physical function that are impaired or threatened by disease, injury, or disability

—abbreviation PT

called also physiotherapist