Physiotherapy Terms Made Simple: Your Go-To Glossary

Term

What It Means (For You, the Patient)

Active Range of Motion (AROM)

Movements you perform on your own without assistance, often used to test mobility and progress.

Assessment

Your first session with a physiotherapist to understand your injury, movement issues, or pain.

Balance Training

Exercises focused on improving coordination and reducing fall risk—especially important for seniors.

Biomechanics

The study of body movement and structure—used to assess posture, gait, and muscle performance.

Bracing

Wearing a supportive device to protect or stabilize an injured joint or muscle during healing.

Cardiopulmonary Rehab

Treatment plans focused on heart and lung conditions, improving endurance and breathing.

Chronic Pain

Pain lasting longer than 3 months—physiotherapists help manage it with movement and education.

Cold Therapy

The use of ice packs to reduce inflammation, swelling, or acute pain after injury.

Concussion Rehab

Specialized treatment following a brain injury to help with headaches, balance, and cognition.

Corticosteroids

Anti-inflammatory medications that may be discussed if pain persists—used alongside physical therapy.

Dry Needling

A technique using fine needles to release muscle knots—similar to acupuncture, but used in physio.

Electrical Stimulation (e-stim)

A therapy using electrical currents to stimulate nerves or muscles for recovery.

Exercise Prescription

A customized program of stretches, strength moves, or mobility drills tailored to your goals.

Falls Prevention

A core part of senior care—physiotherapists train muscles and balance to prevent future falls.

Fascia

The connective tissue around muscles—tight fascia can limit movement and cause pain.

Functional Movement Screen (FMS)

A series of exercises that assess movement quality and predict injury risk.

Gait Training

Techniques to improve the way you walk—used after surgeries, strokes, or injuries.

Graduated Exercise Program

Slowly building up exercise intensity to recover safely and avoid setbacks.

Heat Therapy

The application of heat to reduce stiffness, increase blood flow, and relax tight muscles.

Hydrotherapy

Water-based therapy sessions, often used for low-impact rehabilitation and joint-friendly exercise.

Ice Massage

Rubbing an ice cube over a painful area to reduce inflammation and swelling.

Isometric Exercise

Muscle contractions without movement—often used to maintain strength during injury.

Joint Mobilization

A hands-on technique your physio uses to gently move stiff joints.

Knee Stabilization

Targeted exercises and techniques to improve knee strength and function.

Kinesiology Tape

A stretchy tape applied to skin to support muscles, improve posture, or reduce pain.

Manual Therapy

Hands-on techniques like massage, mobilization, or manipulation performed by your physiotherapist.

McKenzie Method

A movement-based assessment and treatment system for back pain and disc issues.

Modalities

Any tools used in treatment—like ultrasound, TENS, heat, or laser therapy.

Motor Control

How your brain and muscles work together to coordinate movement—key in injury rehab.

Myofascial Release

A gentle technique to stretch and release tight connective tissues.

Neurological Rehab

Therapy for people recovering from stroke, MS, Parkinson’s, or brain/spinal injuries.

Occupational Therapy (OT)

Often works alongside physio to help people perform daily activities independently.

Orthopaedic Physio

Focused on joints, bones, ligaments, and muscles—great for post-op and sports injury recovery.

Pain Education

Teaching patients how pain works to reduce fear and promote healing.

Passive Range of Motion (PROM)

Movements your therapist does for you—helpful when you can’t move independently.

Pelvic Floor Physiotherapy

Treatment for bladder issues, pelvic pain, or postpartum recovery.

Physical Therapist (PT)

A regulated healthcare professional trained in movement science and rehabilitation.

Post-Surgical Rehab

Tailored programs to rebuild strength and function after surgery (e.g., ACL, hip replacement).

Postural Assessment

Evaluating your sitting or standing posture to identify imbalances or pain triggers.

Progression Plan

A treatment roadmap showing how your physio care will evolve over time.

Proprioception

Your body’s sense of position and movement—key for injury prevention and coordination.

Range of Motion (ROM)

The amount your joints can move—measured to track improvement over time.

Red Flags

Warning signs that may require referral to a doctor—your physiotherapist is trained to recognize them.

Rehabilitation

The structured process of recovering from injury or surgery through active treatment.

Repetitive Strain Injury (RSI)

Pain from doing the same motion repeatedly—often seen in office and trade workers.

Rotator Cuff

A group of shoulder muscles frequently injured—treated through targeted rehab.

Scapular Stability

How well your shoulder blade muscles hold during arm movements—important in shoulder rehab.

Sciatica

Pain running down the leg from a compressed sciatic nerve—often relieved through physio care.

Shockwave Therapy

A tool that delivers acoustic energy to speed healing in chronic conditions.

Soft Tissue Mobilization

Manual techniques to relax and treat muscles, tendons, and fascia.

Sports Physiotherapy

Rehab focused on athletes—return-to-play assessments, injury prevention, and performance support.

Stiffness

A common issue after injury or immobility—treated with stretching and movement.

Strengthening Program

Custom exercises to build muscle after injury or prevent re-injury.

Tendonitis

Inflammation of a tendon—treated with rest, therapy, and progressive loading.

TENS Unit

A device that uses small electrical pulses to reduce muscle and nerve pain.

Therapeutic Ultrasound

Sound waves used to promote healing in muscles, joints, and ligaments.

Thoracic Spine

The upper back area—often targeted in posture or shoulder-related physiotherapy.

Traction

A technique using pulling force to relieve pressure on joints or discs—can be manual or mechanical.

Trigger Point Release

Relieving muscle knots that refer pain to other areas—your therapist may apply direct pressure.

Vestibular Rehab

Exercises for people with dizziness, balance issues, or vertigo.

Work Conditioning

Rehab that mimics job tasks to help you return to work safely after injury.

WSIB Coverage

Insurance for workplace injuries in Ontario—many physiotherapy clinics accept WSIB claims.