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

Williams was given a timeline of 8-10 weeks for a return to action, with the first 4-6 consisting of rehab and physical therapy. —Abbey Mastracco, New York Daily News, 18 June 2024

Moreover, Kennedy was recovering from a broken ankle and faced months of physical therapy, Callahan wrote. —Martha Ross, The Mercury News, 18 June 2024

Corporal, a former high school basketball coach at Meade, overcame a pair of strokes in 2013 that left him paralyzed on the left side of his body and required more than a year of physical therapy to regain the ability to walk. —Edward Lee, Baltimore Sun, 18 June 2024

Insider tip: Membership perks include access to USA Sports Medicine, a top chiropractic and physical therapy center, and to VitaSquad, a vitamin infusion therapy spa that offers a full menu of vitamin IV and IM shot treatments. —Luis Campuzano, WWD, 15 June 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