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

Derived Forms

• physical therapist
  noun

Etymology

Origin of physical therapy

First recorded in 1920–25

Example Sentences

For Grutman, that includes regular blood work, peptide shots, IV drips and physical therapy.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 7, 2026

Some examples of medical costs in Ecuador that I have paid: $20 for a physical, $40 to see a specialist, $200 for 10 sessions of physical therapy, $225 for an MRI, and $15 for X-rays.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 19, 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

It’d be terrible timing to lose her job, with all the physical therapy she needs after her accident on top of her daughter’s mounting tuition.

From "They Both Die at the End" by Adam Silvera