physical therapist

noun

plural physical therapists

: a person licensed to practice physical therapy : a health care professional who provides therapy to preserve, enhance, or restore movement and physical function that are impaired or threatened by disease, injury, or disability

… a physical therapist can show you exercises to maintain strength and movement in the affected area and may also use transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation …

—Self Healing

While activity may worsen pain, activity directed by physical therapists, which may be done in therapy sessions and sometimes at home, provides some relief.

—Schenectady (New York) Daily Gazette

—abbreviation PT

called also physiotherapist

Examples of physical therapist in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

This year’s group are marathoners, strength coaches, physical therapists, life coaches, dancers, and everything in between. —Christa Sgobba, SELF, 27 Jan. 2025

Meanwhile, doctors and physical therapists kept trying to fix my chronic pain, recurring nightmares, and PTSD. —Aquilino Gonell, New York Daily News, 26 Jan. 2025

Her physical therapist, Regan Dewhirst, reached out to the training staffs of the Los Angeles Angels and the Edmonton Oilers for advice, since baseball and hockey players have had their share of oblique ailments. —Pat Graham, The Denver Post, 23 Jan. 2025

When in doubt, consult an expert, such as a physical therapist or personal trainer. —Melanie Radzicki McManus, CNN, 13 Dec. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1908, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

physical therapist

noun

: a person who is a specialist in physical therapy

Medical Definition

physical therapist

noun

: a person licensed to practice physical therapy : a health-care professional who provides therapy to preserve, enhance, or restore movement and physical function that are impaired or threatened by disease, injury, or disability

—abbreviation PT

called also physiotherapist