physiotherapy

noun

phys·​io·​ther·​a·​py ˌfi-zē-ō-ˈther-ə-pē 

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 : physical therapy sense 1

Physiotherapy to strengthen specific muscles and treat injuries to ligaments and the meniscus.

—John C. Medlen

2

plural physiotherapies : a therapeutic treatment utilized in physiotherapy : physical therapy sense 2

Medicare currently will not pay for a chiropractor's consultation, physical examination, needed X-rays, physiotherapies, or exercise therapy.

—Statesman Journal (Salem, Oregon)

Examples of physiotherapy in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

While the pneumonia infection has been successfully treated, Francis will continue to take oral medication for quite some time to treat the fungal infection in his lungs and continue his respiratory and physical physiotherapy. —Danielle Wallace, Fox News, 23 Mar. 2025

Pope Francis will have to continue his physiotherapy from his residence. —Nadine El-Bawab, ABC News, 22 Mar. 2025

The players were equally impressed by the stadium’s 20 changing rooms each equipped with physiotherapy facilities and video analysis tools. —Andrew McNicol, CNN, 22 Mar. 2025

The pope spent the morning in physiotherapy, followed Lenten spiritual exercises of the Roman curia and stopped to pray at the chapel in the Gemelli Hospital. —Mark Davis, Newsweek, 14 Mar. 2025

Word History

Etymology

probably borrowed from French physiothérapie, from physio- physio- + thérapie therapy

Note: Earlier the term was used for treatment by outdoor exercise and natural agents, as air, light, and water.

First Known Use

1894, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for physiotherapy

• brachytherapy
• chemotherapy
• cryotherapy
• hydrotherapy
• hypnotherapy
• monotherapy
• phototherapy
• psychotherapy
• sclerotherapy
• immunotherapy
• pharmacotherapy
• radiotherapy

Kids Definition

physiotherapy

noun

phys·​io·​ther·​a·​py ˌfiz-ē-ō-ˈther-ə-pē 

: physical therapy

Medical Definition

physiotherapy

noun

phys·​io·​ther·​a·​py ˌfiz-ē-ō-ˈther-ə-pē 

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 : physical therapy sense 1

2

plural physiotherapies : a therapeutic treatment utilized in physiotherapy : physical therapy sense 2