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

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

From Salon • Mar. 17, 2026

The nearly 30,000-square-foot facility includes indoor basketball courts, a physical therapy suite and a state-of-the-art weight room overseen by a coach who previously trained collegiate athletes at Notre Dame and Stanford.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 22, 2026

Non-surgical treatments like physical therapy, medications, injections and lifestyle modifications are often effective in managing and reducing chronic back pain.

From Science Daily • Dec. 15, 2025

The 6-foot-1, 286-pound tackle with all A’s on his report card decided to do everything he could to return early with physical therapy and staying in shape.

From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 12, 2025

I stretch out my leg and start on my morning physical therapy.

From "The Running Dream" by Wendelin Van Draanen