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

For Mangione, the condition seems to have prevented him from surfing and disrupted his romantic life, leaving him unable to be physically intimate, according to Martin Many people with spondylolisthesis treat their back pain with painkillers, steroid injections and physiotherapy. —Gordon G. Chang, Newsweek, 11 Dec. 2024

Players begin the day with breakfast at 7am, followed by an optional session with the physiotherapy staff. —Elias Burke, The Athletic, 1 Aug. 2024

This model was a significant departure from what students had come to expect, and several physiotherapy students in one class complained to the dean about it. —Ulrik Juul Christensen, Forbes, 30 Sep. 2024

Most infamous of all these cases was a 2012 a gang rape of a physiotherapy student on a bus, which was condemned around the world. —Anna Gordon, TIME, 13 Aug. 2024

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

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