physical therapy

noun

1

: therapy that is used to preserve, enhance, or restore movement and physical function impaired or threatened by disease, injury, or disability and that utilizes therapeutic exercise, physical modalities (such as massage and electrotherapy), assistive devices, and patient education and training

—abbreviation PT

called also physiotherapy

2

plural physical therapies : a therapeutic treatment utilized in physical therapy

[Andrea] Behrman said the center's work consists of physical therapies aimed at "retraining" the spine in an effort to improve strength and mobility.

—Deborah Yetter

—abbreviation PT

called also physiotherapy

Examples of physical therapy in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Jessica has been canceling her own physical therapy appointments for hip pain from her delivery. —Aria Bendix, NBC News, 30 Oct. 2024

Freeman limped his way through the NL Division Series against the San Diego Padres and the NLCS against the Mets, needing five to six hours of daily physical therapy treatments and plenty of painkillers just to take the field. —Mike Digiovanna, Los Angeles Times, 29 Oct. 2024

No type of mattress is inherently better or worse than another, but getting the best one for you may help boost your sleep quality and your quality of life, says Justin M. Lantz, DPT, director of the spine physical therapy fellowship program at the University of Southern California. —Suzy Forman, SELF, 14 Oct. 2024

By the numbers: Shrinking profit margins pose a significant threat to private practice as physical therapy reimbursement rates continue to decline and operating costs rise. —Aaron Weitzman, Axios, 1 Oct. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1901, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

physical therapy

noun

: the treatment of disease, injury, or disability especially by massage, exercise, water, or heat

Medical Definition

physical therapy

noun

1

: therapy that is used to preserve, enhance, or restore movement and physical function impaired or threatened by disease, injury, or disability and that utilizes therapeutic exercise, physical modalities (such as massage and electrotherapy), assistive devices, and patient education and training

—abbreviation PT

called also physiotherapy

2

plural physical therapies : a therapeutic treatment utilized in physical therapy

—abbreviation PT

called also physiotherapy