HealthJuly 10, 2026

physiatry

fɪˈzaɪətri

Definition

A medical specialty, also known as physical medicine and rehabilitation, that focuses on restoring functional ability and quality of life to those with physical impairments or disabilities.

Etymology

Derived from the Greek 'physis' (nature or body) and 'iatreia' (healing). It emerged in the 20th century to describe the medical practice of using physical agents and therapies to treat bodily injuries and conditions.

In the news

The word appears in a list of various medical specialties categorized by the article's source, representing a branch of medicine distinct from the psychiatric care that was the primary focus of the study.

Kids received mental health treatment in record numbers after pandemic, records show

Read the full article ↗

Medical Xpress

Related words

Learn a word like this every day

Meet one new word every morning.

Newspoken pulls one carefully chosen word from the day’s news — with a clear definition, context, and light review that makes it stick. Get it on your phone.

Not for marketing. One email on launch day.