physical therapy

noun

Definition of physical therapy

: therapy for the preservation, enhancement, or restoration of movement and physical function impaired or threatened by disease, injury, or disability that utilizes therapeutic exercise, physical modalities (such as massage and electrotherapy), assistive devices, and patient education and training

— called also physiotherapy

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Recent Examples on the Web

One week after revealing Hart’s diagnosis, Edmonds documented her son’s time at a physical therapy appointment on her Instagram Stories. — Helen Murphy, PEOPLE.com, "Meghan King Edmonds Says She Felt 'Relief' After 13-Month-Old Son Hart's Brain Damage Diagnosis," 24 July 2019 Fost went to school for physical therapy, and spent a dozen years working at Nordstrom before getting into real estate in McMinnville. — Michael Russell, oregonlive.com, "How restaurant inspectors determine which Portland kitchens pass – and fail – their inspections," 11 July 2019 Although Monica was still mentally aware, her motor skills were damaged as a result of her injury, which explains her current limp, cane, and need for physical therapy. — Amanda Garrity, Good Housekeeping, "What Happened to Monica Dutton on 'Yellowstone'? Here's How She Really Got Injured," 29 June 2019 Medina, who worked in European soccer before working with the Philadelphia 76ers the past two seasons, will focus on medical, training, mental health, strength and conditioning, nutrition, and physical therapy and recovery. — Jeff Zillgitt, USA TODAY, "An inside look at the Wizards' new and unusual front-office structure," 22 July 2019 An army engineer felled by polio in his twenties, my father returned to work for the government after years of grueling recovery and physical therapy. — David A. Taylor, Smithsonian, "From the Family Station Wagon to the Apollo Lunar Rover, My Dad’s Engineering Talent Had No Limits," 9 July 2019 All of these calf muscle injuries are treated initially with rest and physical therapy to reduce swelling, regain motion, improve strength and to improve flexibility. — miamiherald, "How long will it take for my calf injury to heal?," 4 June 2019 Nora credits this combination of medication plus pelvic floor physical therapy with relieving pain in her pelvis, lower back, and butt, as well as letting her regain intimacy with her partner. — Carolyn L. Todd, SELF, "8 Ways People With Endometriosis Deal With the Pain," 24 Apr. 2019 Think kinetic science, orthopedic surgery, neuroscience, advanced wound healing, vital-sign monitors, and adaptive physical therapy for people with disabilities—just for starters. — Jill Kiedaisch, Popular Mechanics, "Battery Fashion: Scientists Weave Rechargeable Electronics Into Clothes," 9 Nov. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'physical therapy.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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Last Updated

17 Aug 2019

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Time Traveler for physical therapy

The first known use of physical therapy was in 1919

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More Definitions for physical therapy

physical therapy

noun

English Language Learners Definition of physical therapy

US, medical : the treatment of a disease or an injury of the muscles or joints with massage, exercises, heat, etc.

See the full definition for physical therapy in the English Language Learners Dictionary

physical therapy

noun

Medical Definition of physical therapy

: therapy for the preservation, enhancement, or restoration of movement and physical function impaired or threatened by disability, injury, or disease that utilizes therapeutic exercise, physical modalities (as massage and electrotherapy), assistive devices, and patient education and training

— called also physiotherapy