physiotherapy

noun

phys·​io·​ther·​a·​py ˌfi-zē-ō-ˈther-ə-pē How to pronounce physiotherapy (audio)
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 By the end of November, the rescue had been taking Ariel to Smart Clinic, a clinic that specializes in cases like Ariel's and uses physiotherapy to help its furry patients. Julia Gomez, USA TODAY, 24 Jan. 2024 The sounds of frustration and effort are sometimes heard from the physiotherapy and occupational therapy rooms. Adi Rubinstein, Sun Sentinel, 3 Jan. 2024 But Finkelstein noted that a lot of services fall into a gray area, such as physiotherapy, new drugs that only extend life expectancy for a few months, Viagra, and in vitro fertilization. Annalisa Merelli, STAT, 23 Oct. 2023 She was offered a scholarship for the University of Toronto master's program in physiotherapy but did not attend. Emily J. Shiffer, Peoplemag, 8 Oct. 2023 View full post on Instagram Hemsworth's shift in focus to everyday strength and staying injury-free were touched on by his trainer Luke Zocchi and sports physiotherapy professor Michal Novotný during the promo for action sequel Extraction 2. Philip Ellis, Men's Health, 27 Aug. 2023 Therapy may combine psychoeducation, medication for any coexisting mental health conditions, psychotherapy and physiotherapy. Z Paige L’erario, Scientific American, 31 Mar. 2023 This therapy is used in rehabilitation and physiotherapy settings and can help patients with language, speech, sensory and motor difficulties, according to the Brain Injury Association of America. Nada Hassanein, USA TODAY, 2 May 2023 Her daughter, 20, has been dispatched to study physiotherapy at a university in Istanbul; her son, 27, is planning to leave for Italy to earn a master’s degree in computer science. A Times Staff Writer, Los Angeles Times, 16 Mar. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'physiotherapy.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of physiotherapy was in 1894

Dictionary Entries Near physiotherapy

Cite this Entry

“Physiotherapy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/physiotherapy. Accessed 29 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

physiotherapy

noun
phys·​io·​ther·​a·​py ˌfiz-ē-ō-ˈther-ə-pē How to pronounce physiotherapy (audio)

Medical Definition

physiotherapy

noun
phys·​io·​ther·​a·​py ˌfiz-ē-ō-ˈther-ə-pē How to pronounce physiotherapy (audio)
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
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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