physiotherapist

noun

phys·​io·​ther·​a·​pist ˌfi-zē-ō-ˈther-ə-pist 

plural physiotherapists

: physical therapist

[The University of] Florida's more than 440 athletes are treated by a cadre of physiotherapists and monitored by an army of academic advisers.

—Joe Drape and Katie Thomas

Women worried about getting … osteoporosis should start skipping, jogging and doing high-impact aerobics. In newly issued guidelines, British physiotherapists and osteoporosis specialists said they were the best exercises to avert the disease.

—Fort Worth (Texas) Star-Telegram

Examples of physiotherapist in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Kool Gatyen Pajock was in a South Sudan hospital while a physiotherapist wrapped bandages around the 18-month-old’s legs under the watchful eye of his grandmother, Nyayual Chuol. —ABC News, 25 Feb. 2026

His physiotherapist’s hands gently massage the back of his neck and the base of his jaw, searching for the vagus nerve. —Jacob Whitehead, New York Times, 21 Feb. 2026

Taken together, all this means that curlers spend hours between matches meeting with teammates to discuss strategy, working out team conflicts, seeing physiotherapists, refueling and psyching themselves up for the next match. —Julia Frankel, Chicago Tribune, 19 Feb. 2026

Navigating isolation and uncertainty, BOY forms an unexpected connection with a new physiotherapist while also spending time with his eccentric grandmother. —K.j. Yossman, Variety, 16 Feb. 2026

Word History

Etymology

physio- + therapist, after physiotherapy

First Known Use

1904, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for physiotherapist

• psychotherapist
• therapist

Medical Definition

physiotherapist

noun

phys·​io·​ther·​a·​pist -ˈther-ə-pəst 

: physical therapist