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.

---

physical therapy British  

noun

1. another term for physiotherapy

---

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

“I tried my best to do traditional acupuncture, physical therapy and hydrocortisone shots in my spine and everything,” she said.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 4, 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 told her what the doctors had told me: I would have to undergo several surgeries and months of physical therapy, but my face would eventually improve.

From "Malala: The Girl Who Stood Up for Education and Changed the World" by Malala Yousafzai