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Physical therapy: meaning, definitions and examples

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physical therapy

[ ˈfɪzɪkəl ˈθɛrəpi ]

Noun

^{Context #1 | Noun}

healthcare

Physical therapy is a branch of rehabilitative health that uses specially designed exercises and equipment to help patients regain or improve their physical abilities.

Synonyms

physiotherapy, rehabilitation.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
physical therapy	Used commonly in the United States to refer to healthcare that helps individuals maintain, recover, or improve physical abilities. It often involves exercises, stretches, and other activities. She is going to physical therapy twice a week to recover from her knee surgery
physiotherapy	More commonly used in countries like the UK, Canada, and Australia. It refers to the same practices as physical therapy - working to improve physical function after injury or illness. After her car accident, the doctors recommended she start physiotherapy
rehabilitation	Broader term that includes physical therapy or physiotherapy, but also encompasses other forms of therapy (like occupational or speech therapy) to help someone recover from injury, surgery, or illness. It focuses on overall recovery and functionality. He went to a rehabilitation center to help recover both physically and psychologically after the accident

Word

Description / Examples

physical therapy

Used commonly in the United States to refer to healthcare that helps individuals maintain, recover, or improve physical abilities. It often involves exercises, stretches, and other activities.

She is going to physical therapy twice a week to recover from her knee surgery

physiotherapy

More commonly used in countries like the UK, Canada, and Australia. It refers to the same practices as physical therapy - working to improve physical function after injury or illness.

After her car accident, the doctors recommended she start physiotherapy

rehabilitation

Broader term that includes physical therapy or physiotherapy, but also encompasses other forms of therapy (like occupational or speech therapy) to help someone recover from injury, surgery, or illness. It focuses on overall recovery and functionality.

He went to a rehabilitation center to help recover both physically and psychologically after the accident

Examples of usage

Mary underwent physical therapy after her knee surgery.
The physical therapist taught John exercises to strengthen his back muscles.

^{Context #2 | Noun}

treatment

Physical therapy can also involve manual techniques, such as massage and joint manipulation, to alleviate pain and improve mobility.

Synonyms

PT, physical rehabilitation.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
physical therapy	This term is generally used in medical settings to describe treatments that help improve physical functions and alleviate pain. It is the most commonly used term when referring to treatments aimed at recovery from injuries or surgeries. After her surgery, she had to go to physical therapy three times a week. Physical therapy has helped many athletes recover from sports injuries.
physical rehabilitation	This term is often used to describe a broader, more comprehensive approach to recovery that includes physical therapy but may also encompass other treatments like occupational therapy and speech therapy. It's typically used in contexts where the patient requires a multi-faceted treatment program. The hospital offers physical rehabilitation services to help patients regain their independence. Physical rehabilitation can be a long process but is essential for a full recovery.
PT	This is an abbreviation for 'physical therapy' or 'physical therapist.' It is commonly used in casual or informal communication, as well as in medical documentation. I have a PT appointment after work today. The PT recommended some exercises to help with your back pain.

Word

Description / Examples

physical therapy

This term is generally used in medical settings to describe treatments that help improve physical functions and alleviate pain. It is the most commonly used term when referring to treatments aimed at recovery from injuries or surgeries.

After her surgery, she had to go to physical therapy three times a week.
Physical therapy has helped many athletes recover from sports injuries.

physical rehabilitation

This term is often used to describe a broader, more comprehensive approach to recovery that includes physical therapy but may also encompass other treatments like occupational therapy and speech therapy. It's typically used in contexts where the patient requires a multi-faceted treatment program.

The hospital offers physical rehabilitation services to help patients regain their independence.
Physical rehabilitation can be a long process but is essential for a full recovery.

This is an abbreviation for 'physical therapy' or 'physical therapist.' It is commonly used in casual or informal communication, as well as in medical documentation.

I have a PT appointment after work today.
The PT recommended some exercises to help with your back pain.

Examples of usage

Lisa's physical therapy sessions included both exercises and massage.
After the car accident, David needed physical therapy to regain movement in his shoulder.

Translations

Translations of the word "physical therapy" in other languages:

🇵🇹 fisioterapia

🇮🇳 भौतिक चिकित्सा

🇩🇪 Physiotherapie

🇮🇩 terapi fisik

🇺🇦 фізіотерапія

🇵🇱 fizjoterapia

🇯🇵 物理療法

🇫🇷 physiothérapie

🇪🇸 fisioterapia

🇹🇷 fizik tedavi

🇰🇷 물리치료

🇸🇦 العلاج الطبيعي

🇨🇿 fyzioterapie

🇸🇰 fyzioterapia

🇨🇳 物理治疗

🇸🇮 fizioterapija

🇮🇸 sjúkraþjálfun

🇰🇿 физиотерапия

🇬🇪 ფიზიკური თერაპია

🇦🇿 fizioterapiya

🇲🇽 terapia física

Etymology

The origins of physical therapy can be traced back to ancient civilizations such as Egypt, Greece, and Rome, where various forms of manual therapy and exercise were used to treat injuries and improve physical function. The modern practice of physical therapy began to emerge in the late 19th century, with the establishment of schools and techniques focused on rehabilitation and physical health. Over time, physical therapy has become an essential component of healthcare, helping millions of people recover from injuries, surgeries, and chronic conditions.