physiotherapy

American  

[fiz-ee-oh-ther-uh-pee] / ˌfɪz i oʊˈθɛr ə pi /

noun

physiotherapies plural

1. physical therapy.

---

physiotherapy British  

/ ˌfɪzɪəʊˈθɛrəpɪ /

noun

1. Also called: physical therapy.   physio.   physiatrics.  the therapeutic use of physical agents or means, such as massage, exercises, etc

---

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• physiotherapist
  noun

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• physiotherapies
  plural

Etymology

Origin of physiotherapy

First recorded in 1900–05; physio- + therapy

Example Sentences

All participants had failed to achieve adequate relief after at least three months of conservative treatment, including physiotherapy, anti-inflammatory medications, and intra-articular injections.

From Science Daily • Jun. 17, 2026

Estelle Bellamy, 54, described how her heart breaks watching son Ben working in Starbucks after completing his physiotherapy degree.

From BBC • Apr. 20, 2026

She said there are currently no Band 5 physiotherapy jobs available in Wales, despite these roles usually being open at this stage.

From BBC • Apr. 20, 2026

She has had intensive physiotherapy and occupational therapy sessions, but has struggled - especially since returning home.

From BBC • Apr. 12, 2026

I still go to the hospital for regular physiotherapy sessions to learn how to move my facial muscles.

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