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
Instead, Oak Creek Community Development Director Kristi Laine explained to the commission that the facility will be for occupational or physical therapy.
—Erik S. Hanley, Journal Sentinel, 15 Aug. 2024
In addition to physical therapy and other conservative measures, your healthcare provider might prescribe blood thinners to treat thoracic outlet syndrome.
—Laura Dorwart, Verywell Health, 13 Aug. 2024
Another player survived a terrorist bombing in a Belgian train station and a balcony collapse at a hotel in South Korea that killed two people and nearly ended the career of Paris Olympian Kaleigh Gilchrist, leaving her facing long bouts of mental and physical therapy.
—Kevin Baxter, Los Angeles Times, 8 Aug. 2024
The control group received conventional physical therapy for a similar amount of time.
—Timmy Broderick, STAT, 24 July 2024
See all Example Sentences for physical therapy 
Erik S. Hanley, Journal Sentinel, 15 Aug. 2024
In addition to physical therapy and other conservative measures, your healthcare provider might prescribe blood thinners to treat thoracic outlet syndrome.
—Laura Dorwart, Verywell Health, 13 Aug. 2024
Another player survived a terrorist bombing in a Belgian train station and a balcony collapse at a hotel in South Korea that killed two people and nearly ended the career of Paris Olympian Kaleigh Gilchrist, leaving her facing long bouts of mental and physical therapy.
—Kevin Baxter, Los Angeles Times, 8 Aug. 2024
The control group received conventional physical therapy for a similar amount of time.
—Timmy Broderick, STAT, 24 July 2024
See all Example Sentences for physical therapy
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'physical therapy.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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 12 Sep. 2024.
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