physiotherapy
Physical recovery treatment
Physiotherapy is the treatment of injury, disease, or disability through physical methods—exercise, massage, heat, manipulation—rather than drugs or surgery.
The goal is restoring movement and function.
British English prefers physiotherapy; American English tends toward physical therapy.
A physiotherapist designs rehabilitation programs for patients recovering from strokes, surgeries, or chronic conditions.
Capacity for movement
- flexibilityAbility to adapt easily
- stretchingExtending muscles or material
- coordinationOrganized cooperative movement
- balanceSteadiness or amount owed
gait · posture · range of motion · stability · biomechanics · motor control · locomotion · agility
Pertaining to muscles and bones
- orthopedicRelating to bone treatment
- neurologicalOf the nervous system
- sports injuryHarm from physical activity
- stroke recoveryHealing after brain vessel incident
spinal cord · arthritis · back pain · joint replacement · fracture · tendinopathy · post-surgical · chronic pain
Structured diagnostic examination
- treatment planOrganized medical intervention schedule
- referralDirecting someone elsewhere
- outpatientTreated without admission
- inpatientAdmitted overnight patient
Regaining what was lost
- strengtheningIncreasing power or solidity
- reconditioningRestoring to good condition
- retrainingAcquiring updated skills
- adaptationFitting to new conditions
neuroplasticity · assistive devices · home exercises · self-management · patient education
Medical use of current
- hydrotherapyWater-based medical treatment
- ultrasoundInaudible high-frequency waves
- cryotherapyTreatment using extreme cold
- therapeutic massageManual tissue manipulation for healing
dry needling · taping · TENS · thermotherapy · mobilization · manipulation
Manual skeletal manipulation therapy
- chiropracticSpine-focused alternative medicine
- craniosacralRelating to skull-spine connection
mobility
Capacity for movement
- flexibilityAbility to adapt easily
- stretchingExtending muscles or material
- coordinationOrganized cooperative movement
balance · gait · posture · range of motion · stability · biomechanics · motor control · locomotion · agility · proprioception
musculoskeletal
Pertaining to muscles and bones
- orthopedicRelating to bone treatment
- neurologicalOf the nervous system
- sports injuryHarm from physical activity
stroke recovery · spinal cord · arthritis · back pain · joint replacement · fracture · tendinopathy · post-surgical · chronic pain · whiplash
clinical assessment
Structured diagnostic examination
- treatment planOrganized medical intervention schedule
- referralDirecting someone elsewhere
- outpatientTreated without admission
recovery
Regaining what was lost
- strengtheningIncreasing power or solidity
- reconditioningRestoring to good condition
- retrainingAcquiring updated skills
adaptation · neuroplasticity · assistive devices · home exercises · self-management · patient education
electrotherapy
Medical use of current
- hydrotherapyWater-based medical treatment
- ultrasoundInaudible high-frequency waves
- cryotherapyTreatment using extreme cold
therapeutic massage · dry needling · taping · TENS · thermotherapy · mobilization · manipulation
osteopathy
Manual skeletal manipulation therapy
- chiropracticSpine-focused alternative medicine
- craniosacralRelating to skull-spine connection
- healthcaredoctors, nurses, hospitals, hospital, clinic
- hospitalshospital, ER, emergency room, ICU, operating room
- medical caresurgery, examination, injection, prescription, medication
- therapiespsychotherapy, cryotherapy, PT, hydrotherapy, immunotherapy
- health professionsnursing, medicine, pharmacy, dentistry, optometry
- Australian HealthcareMedicare, GP, general practitioner, doctor, hospital
physiotherapysurgery
Invasive medical procedure
medication · pharmacotherapy · surgical intervention · drug therapy · chemotherapy
physiotherapybed rest
Prescribed period of lying down
immobilization · inactivity · rest · immobility · physical inactivity