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
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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 See all Example Sentences for physical therapy 

Word History

First Known Use

1901, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of physical therapy was in 1901

Dictionary Entries Near physical therapy

Cite this Entry

“Physical therapy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/physical%20therapy. Accessed 16 Nov. 2024.

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

More from Merriam-Webster on physical therapy

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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