physical therapy

noun

Definition of physical therapy

: therapy for the preservation, enhancement, or restoration of movement and physical function impaired or threatened by disease, injury, or disability that utilizes therapeutic exercise, physical modalities (such as massage and electrotherapy), assistive devices, and patient education and training

called also physiotherapy

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Other Words from physical therapy

physical therapist noun

Examples of physical therapy in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

After a nearly month-long stay in an animal hospital and some physical therapy - including spending some time in a goat wheelchair - Alice recovered, now able to trot around in her pen. Mike Argento, chicagotribune.com, "Woman finds ‘purpose’ caring for abused, discarded animals," 6 Aug. 2019 That's not to say pelvic floor physical therapy is guaranteed to fix pelvic floor dysfunction. Cassie Shortsleeve, SELF, "What to Know About Pregnancy, Childbirth, and Your Pelvic Floor," 10 May 2019 Doctors prescribed him physical therapy and Lortab [hydrocodone]. Christopher Harress | Charress@al.com, al, "Opioid addiction takes center stage in Mobile as billion dollar lawsuits near agreement," 28 Aug. 2019 Provenzano went through physical therapy at ATI’s location in Park Ridge after his 2017 leg surgery. Steve Sadin, chicagotribune.com, "Albert Almora Jr. among Cubs to encourage Park Ridge teen who survived cancer," 10 Aug. 2019 There is no specific cure or prevention, though physical therapy is used as early as possible to improve muscle strength. Meredith Cohn, baltimoresun.com, "Johns Hopkins to study polio-like condition causing paralysis in children in Maryland, around U.S.," 24 July 2019 One week after revealing Hart’s diagnosis, Edmonds documented her son’s time at a physical therapy appointment on her Instagram Stories. Helen Murphy, PEOPLE.com, "Meghan King Edmonds Says She Felt 'Relief' After 13-Month-Old Son Hart's Brain Damage Diagnosis," 24 July 2019 Fost went to school for physical therapy, and spent a dozen years working at Nordstrom before getting into real estate in McMinnville. Michael Russell, oregonlive.com, "How restaurant inspectors determine which Portland kitchens pass – and fail – their inspections," 11 July 2019 Although Monica was still mentally aware, her motor skills were damaged as a result of her injury, which explains her current limp, cane, and need for physical therapy. Amanda Garrity, Good Housekeeping, "What Happened to Monica Dutton on 'Yellowstone'? Here's How She Really Got Injured," 29 June 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'physical therapy.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of physical therapy

1919, in the meaning defined above

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More Definitions for physical therapy

physical therapy

noun

English Language Learners Definition of physical therapy

US, medical : the treatment of a disease or an injury of the muscles or joints with massage, exercises, heat, etc.

physical therapy

noun

Medical Definition of physical therapy

: therapy for the preservation, enhancement, or restoration of movement and physical function impaired or threatened by disability, injury, or disease that utilizes therapeutic exercise, physical modalities (as massage and electrotherapy), assistive devices, and patient education and training

called also physiotherapy

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