physical therapy

noun

1

: therapy that is used to preserve, enhance, or restore movement and physical function impaired or threatened by disease, injury, or disability and that utilizes therapeutic exercise, physical modalities (such as massage and electrotherapy), assistive devices, and patient education and training

—abbreviation PT

called also physiotherapy

2

plural physical therapies : a therapeutic treatment utilized in physical therapy

[Andrea] Behrman said the center's work consists of physical therapies aimed at "retraining" the spine in an effort to improve strength and mobility.

—Deborah Yetter

—abbreviation PT

called also physiotherapy

Examples of physical therapy in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The technology is designed to improve movement quality for an aging population, provide recovery and improved performance, reduce low back pain, assist with surgery recovery for those undergoing physical therapy, reduce anxiety and stress, and improve sleep. —cleveland, 1 Sep. 2023

Lower annual out-of-pocket maximums on mental health and physical therapy copays. —Detroit Free Press, 22 Aug. 2023

Then, researchers turned on the electrical stimulation and left it on for four to eight months while the participants continued physical therapy. —Emily Mullin, WIRED, 22 Aug. 2023

Smith's road to recovery includes six more months of antibiotics, along with physical therapy and treading lightly on her feet, but the interior designer should regain full mobility. —Jp Mangalindan, Peoplemag, 26 Aug. 2023

After a period of recovery from the surgery, patients went through two months of physical therapy. —Emily Mullin, WIRED, 22 Aug. 2023

Superior Court, the stabbing occurred as detainees filed in to a room used for physical therapy. —Peter Hermann, Washington Post, 21 Aug. 2023

Cohen’s medical expenses as a result of the injury were more than $7,500, according to court documents, which included the hospital fees, doctor fees and physical therapy. —Sara Smart, CNN, 14 Aug. 2023

Prescription meds and/or physical therapy can be helpful. —Lisa Mulcahy, Good Housekeeping, 9 Aug. 2023

See More

Word History

First Known Use

1901, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

physical therapy

noun

: the treatment of disease, injury, or disability especially by massage, exercise, water, or heat

Medical Definition

physical therapy

noun

1

: therapy that is used to preserve, enhance, or restore movement and physical function impaired or threatened by disease, injury, or disability and that utilizes therapeutic exercise, physical modalities (such as massage and electrotherapy), assistive devices, and patient education and training

—abbreviation PT

called also physiotherapy

2

plural physical therapies : a therapeutic treatment utilized in physical therapy

—abbreviation PT

called also physiotherapy