physiotherapist
Body movement specialist
A physiotherapist is a healthcare professional who treats injury, disease, or disability through physical methods—exercise, massage, manipulation, and other techniques—rather than drugs or surgery.
The term is standard in British English and most of the world; Americans typically say physical therapist.
The physiotherapist worked on strengthening her knee after surgery.
Soft tissue manipulation
- manipulationUnderhanded control of others
- ultrasoundInaudible high-frequency waves
- electrotherapyMedical use of current
- hydrotherapyWater-based medical treatment
cryotherapy · taping · mobilization · stretching · TENS · assessment · diagnosis · referral
Locomotion pattern
- postureBody position, alignment
- mobilityCapacity for movement
- flexibilityAbility to adapt easily
- coordinationOrganized cooperative movement
balance · biomechanics · proprioception · locomotion · ambulation · kinematics · alignment · joint
Regaining what was lost
- mobilityCapacity for movement
- restorationReturning something to condition
- independenceFreedom from external control
- reconditioningRestoring to good condition
reeducation · relearning · functionality · adaptation · self-care · strengthening · stabilization · coordination
Medical care provider
- practitionerOne who works regularly
- healthcareOrganized provision of treatment
- registrationFormal recording of participation
- licenseFormal grant of permission
degree · specialization · outpatient · inpatient · hospital · pediatric · neurological · orthopedic
Physical or psychological harm
- sprainLigament stretch injury
- strainExcessive stretching force
- fractureSplit in hard material
- arthritisInflamed joint disease
sciatica · whiplash · tendinitis · bursitis · ACL · osteoporosis · stroke · Parkinson's
Sports competitor
- trainerOne who conditions others
- performanceCarrying out a task
- sidelineSecondary business pursuit
- warm-upPre-activity preparation routine
cooldown · conditioning · strapping · recovery · competition · endurance · agility
massage
Soft tissue manipulation
- manipulationUnderhanded control of others
- ultrasoundInaudible high-frequency waves
- electrotherapyMedical use of current
hydrotherapy · cryotherapy · taping · mobilization · stretching · TENS · assessment · diagnosis · referral · session
gait
Locomotion pattern
- postureBody position, alignment
- mobilityCapacity for movement
- flexibilityAbility to adapt easily
coordination · balance · biomechanics · proprioception · locomotion · ambulation · kinematics · alignment · joint · muscle
recovery
Regaining what was lost
- mobilityCapacity for movement
- restorationReturning something to condition
- independenceFreedom from external control
reconditioning · reeducation · relearning · functionality · adaptation · self-care · strengthening · stabilization · coordination · balance
clinician
Medical care provider
- practitionerOne who works regularly
- healthcareOrganized provision of treatment
- registrationFormal recording of participation
license · degree · specialization · outpatient · inpatient · hospital · pediatric · neurological · orthopedic · cardiopulmonary
injury
Physical or psychological harm
arthritis · sciatica · whiplash · tendinitis · bursitis · ACL · osteoporosis · stroke · Parkinson's · amputation
athlete
Sports competitor
- trainerOne who conditions others
- performanceCarrying out a task
- sidelineSecondary business pursuit
warm-up · cooldown · conditioning · strapping · recovery · competition · endurance · agility
- Health Careersdoctor, nurse practitioner, nursing, physician, surgeon
- health professionsnursing, medicine, pharmacy, dentistry, optometry
- healthcare workersdoctor, nurse, surgeon, dentist, paramedic
- licensed professionalsdoctor, dentist, lawyer, attorney, pharmacist
- licensed professionsdoctor, lawyer, nurse, pilot, teacher
- professionalsdoctor, nurse, lawyer, engineer, dentist
physiotherapistsurgeon
Physician who operates
orthopedic surgeon · neurosurgeon · pharmacologist · radiologist · anesthesiologist