physiotherapy
(fɪzɪəʊˈθɛrəpɪ)
[f. physio- + therapy.]
The treatment of disease, injury, or deformity by physical methods, such as massage, exercise, and the application of heat, light, fresh air, and other external influences.
| 1905 Brit. Med. Jrnl. 15 July 126/2 The first congress of physiotherapy will be held at Liége on August 12th. 1928 Sunday Dispatch 16 Dec. 1/1 Two new specialists, both experts in radiology and massage, and in the treatment generally known as physio-therapy, were called to Buckingham Palace yesterday. 1958 Times Lit. Suppl. 4 Apr. 187/2 Full details are given of methods of physio⁓therapy that can be carried out in the home. 1958 [see physiotherapist]. 1975 Scrutton & Gilbertson Physiotherapy in Paediatric Pract. 1 Physiotherapy involves the modification of the patient's physical external environment, either generally or topically, so as to promote healing or otherwise improve the body's efficiency. |
Hence ˌphysiotheraˈpeutic a., of, pertaining to, or involving physiotherapy.
| 1905 Brit. Med. Jrnl. 15 July 126/2 The abuses caused by ‘healers’ who pretend to treat by physiotherapeutic procedures. 1926 Encycl. Brit. III. 686/1 As convalescence goes on, physiotherapeutic measures..are employed to hasten recovery. 1957 M. Spark Comforters viii. 196 He is receiving physiotherapeutic treatment. 1976 Nichols & Hamilton Rehabilitation Med. ii. 21 There are innumerable reports in the medical and physio⁓therapeutic literature extolling the virtues of specific techniques. |