What does physiotherapy mean?
Word: Physiotherapy
Part of Speech: Noun
Meaning: Physiotherapy means treatment that uses exercise, massage and heat to help muscles and joints work well again.
Word origin: Built from the Greek word physis, meaning nature, and a Greek word for healing.
How do you spell physiotherapy?
Syllables: phys - i - o - ther - a - py
Tricky part: The first sound is an f, but it is written ph, and the short i after it is a y. That is why fisiotherapy and phisiotherapy turn up so often.
Watch out for: fisiotherapy, phisiotherapy
Memory tip: Think of physical exercise, the heart of this treatment: that start, with its ph and its y, opens this word too.
Physiotherapy in a sentence
Example 1: After the long cricket season, our coach arranged physiotherapy for the bowlers with stiff shoulders.
Example 2: Mausi goes for physiotherapy twice a week to ease her stiff knee.
Example 3: A few weeks of physiotherapy helped my uncle to walk comfortably on the hill paths again.
Fun Fact
Americans call the same treatment by a two-word name, while Britain and India use this single long word.
Practise the CREST Way
Spellacadabra
Choose the correct option to make a meaningful word:
physi_therapy
a) e
b) u
c) a
d) o
Show answer
d) o. The linking vowel in the middle of the word is an o.
Spell Spies
Choose the incorrectly spelt word:
a) orthodontist
b) rehabilitation
c) stethoscope
d) physiotherrapy
Show answer
d) physiotherrapy. Only one r is needed here; the other three words are spelt correctly.
Spell Probe
Fill the blanks with 'e' and 'a'. Which option gives the meaning of that word?
1. a__rob__cs 2. stam__n__ 3. physioth__r__py 4. gymn__s__um
a) a course of stretches and hands-on work for stiff joints
b) lively exercises done to music to strengthen the heart and lungs
c) the energy you need to keep going for a long time
d) a large hall fitted out for indoor sport and exercise
Show answer
a) a course of stretches and hands-on work for stiff joints. Those two letters complete physiotherapy; the other three words need different vowels.
Sound Check
In which word is 'th' pronounced differently?
a) thermal
b) thyme
c) physiotherapy
d) method
Show answer
b) thyme. Thyme has a silent h and starts with a plain t, unlike the th of thin in the rest.
Multiple Choice Questions
1. You would most expect to find ___ in a physiotherapy room.
a) eye charts and lenses
b) exercise mats and stretch bands
c) drills and dental mirrors
d) test tubes and microscopes
Show answer
b) exercise mats and stretch bands
2. After twisting an ankle at football, a player starts physiotherapy mainly to ___.
a) learn the rules of the game better
b) get the ankle moving freely again
c) improve the team's passing speed
d) choose new boots for the season
Show answer
b) get the ankle moving freely again
