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

Consult a physical therapist for an individualized exercise program appropriate for your specific condition. —Jennifer Steinhoff, Verywell Health, 22 Oct. 2024

But ultimately, the one that works best for you will depend on whether your pelvic floor skews toward the looser or tighter side of things—which is something that a pelvic floor physical therapist can evaluate. —Erica Sloan, SELF, 10 Oct. 2024

In fact, the difference was so noticeable, even my physical therapists were wildly impressed by my scar’s healing in such a short timespan. —Maya Gandara, StyleCaster, 9 Oct. 2024

Patricia Krall, a physical therapist at Coastal Kids, explained the cars have grander applicability besides the obvious mobility piece. —Steven Aquino, Forbes, 2 Oct. 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