Translation guide
Physiotherapy, also known as physical therapy, is a healthcare profession that uses physical methods to treat disease, injury, or deformity. In Japanese, the most common and direct term is 理学療法 (rigaku ryōhō), but the loanword フィジオセラピー (fijioserapī) is also understood, especially in international contexts. This guide covers how to express the concept naturally in Japanese.
Referring to physiotherapy as a medical discipline or the treatment itself.
The standard Japanese term for physiotherapy. Used in medical, academic, and everyday contexts.
He is receiving physiotherapy after his injury.
Loanword from English. Recognized, especially in international or sports contexts, but less common than 理学療法.
That clinic offers physiotherapy.
Referring to the person who provides physiotherapy.
The standard term for a licensed physiotherapist in Japan.
The physiotherapist made a rehabilitation plan.
Abbreviation for Physical Therapist, used in some medical settings. Pronounced as English letters.
Please follow the PT's instructions for exercise.
Loanword for physiotherapist. Rarely used; 理学療法士 is strongly preferred.
Describing the process of receiving physiotherapy treatment.
理学療法 (physiotherapy) is a specific type of リハビリ (rehabilitation). リハビリ is a broader term that can include occupational therapy, speech therapy, etc. In casual conversation, リハビリ is often used to refer to physiotherapy exercises.
We are doing physiotherapy as part of rehabilitation.
物理療法 (butsuri ryōhō) literally translates to 'physical therapy' but is not equivalent to physiotherapy. It refers to physical modalities like heat, cold, or electrical stimulation, and is only one part of what physiotherapists do. Using it to mean physiotherapy will cause confusion.
I need physiotherapy for my back pain.
She is studying to become a physiotherapist.
理学療法士になるには国家試験に合格する必要がある。
To become a physiotherapist, you need to pass the national exam.
Literally 'physical therapy', but this term is broader and can include treatments like heat or electrical therapy. Not a direct synonym for physiotherapy; use with caution.
May be misunderstood as a subset of physiotherapy rather than the whole field.
Physical therapy includes thermotherapy and electrotherapy.
She worked as a physiotherapist in Australia.
I receive physiotherapy twice a week.