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

The doctor ordered physical therapy, A.S. said, but medical records show he didn’t receive any.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 6, 2026

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

From "The Running Dream" by Wendelin Van Draanen