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

See Examples For:

physical therapy

In late 2024, my doctor recommended pelvic-floor physical therapy.

From MarketWatch ● Sep. 8, 2026

By using existing data to flag early movement deficits and balance loss, AI acts as an early warning engine—routing workers directly into preventive physical therapy before catastrophic injury occurs.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 24, 2026

Research suggests it may be as effective as physical therapy for people with knee osteoarthritis.

From Science Daily ● Aug. 16, 2026

Lillard was in physical therapy, occupational therapy and water therapy, trying to retain as much strength as she could, ultimately regaining partial use of her left arm and use of her legs.

From BBC ● Jul. 14, 2026

She’s just back from a CP yoga class—something she says is part of her physical therapy program.

From "The Running Dream" by Wendelin Van Draanen