physical therapy

American  

noun

1. the treatment or management of physical disability, malfunction, or pain by exercise, massage, hydrotherapy, etc., without the use of medicines, surgery, or radiation.

2. the health profession that provides such care.

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physical therapy British  

noun

1. another term for physiotherapy

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Other Word Forms

• physical therapist
  noun

Etymology

Origin of physical therapy

First recorded in 1920–25

Example Sentences

Now, researchers are learning more about why these episodes happen, how to differentiate more-common causes from more-serious issues, and which treatments can prevent or reduce recurrence, including specialized physical therapy.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 15, 2026

She’s also stopped physical therapy because she can’t cover the co-pays.

From Salon • Mar. 17, 2026

With the investment of board president Gillian Wynn, Bodytraffic was one of the few companies to provide living wages, health insurance and physical therapy for its dancers.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 12, 2026

For example, in the civilian context, when construction workers fall off scaffolds and can’t walk until receiving surgery and physical therapy, their employers have to provide them workers’ compensation.

From Slate • Feb. 19, 2026

I went to physical therapy twice a week for a few months, and did some basic stretching and core exercises, which was a total drag.

From "I Will Always Write Back" by Caitlin Alifirenka and Martin Ganda