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
Deborah Yettercalled also physiotherapy
Examples of physical therapy in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Imagine a patient recovering from surgery benefitting from physical therapy, dietary guidance, and acupuncture to promote healing and manage pain.
—Kyle J. Russell, USA TODAY, 6 Mar. 2025
Treatment options, which will be explored by the franchise, include rest, physical therapy, medicine or arthroscopic surgery, according to the website.
—Jason Beede, Orlando Sentinel, 28 Feb. 2025
The New Yorker reported in 2010 that after five years of physical therapy, Gilbert took her first steps using a walker.
—Emily Blackwood, People.com, 27 Feb. 2025
Coming into spring training after a winter of treatment that included physical therapy, soft tissue work, a platelet rich plasma shot and rest, Nimmo is nearly back to normal.
—Abbey Mastracco, New York Daily News, 14 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for physical therapy
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Kyle J. Russell, USA TODAY, 6 Mar. 2025
Treatment options, which will be explored by the franchise, include rest, physical therapy, medicine or arthroscopic surgery, according to the website.
—Jason Beede, Orlando Sentinel, 28 Feb. 2025
The New Yorker reported in 2010 that after five years of physical therapy, Gilbert took her first steps using a walker.
—Emily Blackwood, People.com, 27 Feb. 2025
Coming into spring training after a winter of treatment that included physical therapy, soft tissue work, a platelet rich plasma shot and rest, Nimmo is nearly back to normal.
—Abbey Mastracco, New York Daily News, 14 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for physical therapy
Cite this Entry
“Physical therapy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/physical%20therapy. Accessed 13 Mar. 2025.
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