physiotherapist
2 synonyms for physiotherapist, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — A therapist, mainly in the UK, Ireland and the Commonwealth, who treats physical injury or dysfunction, usually with exercise.
Synonyms
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
physio
physical therapist
How to use physiotherapist
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
see a physiotherapist
a physiotherapist's exercises
refer to a physiotherapist
It's a standard, everyday professional title rather than a technical or formal term.
Etymology
Physiotherapist is built either from physio- and therapist, or from physiotherapy with the suffix -ist added to name the person who practises it.
Full origin of physiotherapist →Frequently asked questions
What does a physiotherapist do?
A physiotherapist treats physical injury or dysfunction, usually through exercise, in the UK, Ireland and other Commonwealth countries.
Is a physiotherapist the same as a physical therapist?
Yes, physical therapist is simply the term used for the same role in the US.
Do physiotherapists only treat sports injuries?
No, they treat physical injury or dysfunction generally, not only injuries related to sport.
