This is a broad yet essential collection of Physiotherapy Abbreviations used in medical settings worldwide.
Knowing physiotherapy abbreviations is essential for efficient communication, accurate documentation, and time-saving in clinical practice. It ensures clarity in patient records, reduces errors, and enhances interdisciplinary collaboration with doctors and healthcare professionals. Familiarity with standard abbreviations demonstrates professionalism, supports global standardization, and improves patient care by enabling precise treatment planning. It also helps physiotherapists interpret medical reports, comply with legal documentation standards, and educate patients effectively. Mastering these abbreviations enhances efficiency, accuracy, and overall competence in the physiotherapy profession.
Professional Titles & Qualifications
PT – Physiotherapy / Physical Therapy
DPT – Doctor of Physical Therapy / Diploma of Physical Therapy
MPT – Master of Physiotherapy
BPT – Bachelor of Physiotherapy
RPT – Registered Physiotherapist
OT – Occupational Therapy
SLP – Speech-Language Pathologist
CMT – Certified Manual Therapist
FCAMPT – Fellow of the Canadian Academy of Manipulative Physiotherapy
MSPT – Master of Science in Physical Therapy
CSP – Chartered Society of Physiotherapy (UK)
APTA – American Physical Therapy Association
HCPC – Health and Care Professions Council (UK)
WCPT – World Confederation for Physical Therapy
BOC – Board of Certification (for athletic trainers)
CSCS – Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist
FAAOMPT – Fellow of the American Academy of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapists
Rehabilitation & Mobility
ADL – Activities of Daily Living
IADL – Instrumental Activities of Daily Living
FMS – Fine Motor Skills
GMS – Gross Motor Skills
WC – Wheelchair
GAIT – Walking Pattern
WB – Weight Bearing
NWB – Non-Weight Bearing
PWB – Partial Weight Bearing
TTWB – Toe-Touch Weight Bearing
FWB – Full Weight Bearing
HKAFO – Hip-Knee-Ankle-Foot Orthosis
KAFO – Knee-Ankle-Foot Orthosis
AFO – Ankle-Foot Orthosis
Medical & General Abbreviations
Dx – Diagnosis
Tx – Treatment
Rx – Prescription
Sx – Symptoms
Hx – History
Fx – Fracture
Cx – Cervical Spine
Tx (T-Spine) – Thoracic Spine
Lx – Lumbar Spine
Mx – Management
Ax – Assessment
d/c – Discharge or Discontinue
PMHx – Past Medical History
FHx – Family History
NPO – Nothing by Mouth
PRN – As Needed
BPM – Beats Per Minute
IDDM – Insulin-Dependent Diabetes Mellitus
NIDDM – Non-Insulin-Dependent Diabetes Mellitus
HTN – Hypertension
COPD – Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
Exercise & Fitness
1RM – One Repetition Maximum
HRmax – Maximum Heart Rate
VO2max – Maximum Oxygen Consumption
RPE – Rate of Perceived Exertion
FITT – Frequency, Intensity, Time, Type (exercise prescription)
BORG – Borg Scale (for exertion rating)
Plyo – Plyometric Training
Aer – Aerobic Exercise
Anaer – Anaerobic Exercise
Neurological & Orthopedic Conditions
CNS – Central Nervous System
PNS – Peripheral Nervous System
SCI – Spinal Cord Injury
TBI – Traumatic Brain Injury
CVA – Cerebrovascular Accident (Stroke)
MS – Multiple Sclerosis
PD – Parkinson’s Disease
ALS – Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis
RA – Rheumatoid Arthritis
OA – Osteoarthritis
LBP – Low Back Pain
HNP – Herniated Nucleus Pulposus (Disc Herniation)
SMA – Spinal Muscular Atrophy
CTS – Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
DDD – Degenerative Disc Disease
TKA – Total Knee Arthroplasty (Knee Replacement)
THA – Total Hip Arthroplasty (Hip Replacement)
ORIF – Open Reduction and Internal Fixation
ACL – Anterior Cruciate Ligament
PCL – Posterior Cruciate Ligament
MCL – Medial Collateral Ligament
LCL – Lateral Collateral Ligament
Assessment & Examination
MMT – Manual Muscle Testing
SPT – Special Tests
FABER – Flexion, Abduction, External Rotation Test
SLR – Straight Leg Raise Test
OBER – Ober’s Test (for IT Band Tightness)
THOMAS – Thomas Test (for hip flexor tightness)
APGAR – Appearance, Pulse, Grimace, Activity, Respiration (for newborn assessment)
BP – Blood Pressure
HR – Heart Rate
RR – Respiratory Rate
BMI – Body Mass Index
BMR – Basal Metabolic Rate
VRS – Verbal Rating Scale (for pain assessment)
VAS – Visual Analogue Scale (for pain measurement)
MRC – Medical Research Council (grading muscle strength)
GCS – Glasgow Coma Scale
DTR – Deep Tendon Reflex
ASIA – American Spinal Injury Association (impairment scale)
TUG – Timed Up and Go Test (mobility assessment)
ROM – Range of Motion
AROM – Active Range of Motion
PROM – Passive Range of Motion
AAROM – Active Assisted Range of Motion
Treatment & Techniques
PNF – Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation
MFR – Myofascial Release
TENS – Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation
NMES – Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation
FES – Functional Electrical Stimulation
HVGS – High Voltage Galvanic Stimulation
US – Ultrasound Therapy
STM – Soft Tissue Mobilization
MET – Muscle Energy Technique
IASTM – Instrument-Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization
KT – Kinesiology Taping
ICE – Ice Therapy / Cryotherapy
HEAT – Thermotherapy
UVR – Ultraviolet Radiation Therapy
ESWT – Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy
HVLA – High-Velocity Low-Amplitude (manual therapy technique)
LLLT – Low-Level Laser Therapy
DN – Dry Needling
Anatomy Abbreviations
AN – Anatomical Nomenclature
ANT – Anterior
POST – Posterior
LAT – Lateral
MED – Medial
INF – Inferior
SUP – Superior
PROX – Proximal
DIST – Distal
SUPR – Supra (Above)
INFR – Infra (Below)
INT – Internal
EXT – External
BIL – Bilateral
UNI – Unilateral
AxSkel – Axial Skeleton
AppSkel – Appendicular Skeleton
Clav – Clavicle
Scap – Scapula
Humer – Humerus
Ulna – Ulna
Rad – Radius
Fem – Femur
Tib – Tibia
Fib – Fibula
Pat – Patella
Carp – Carpal Bones
Metacarp – Metacarpal Bones
Phal – Phalanges
Tars – Tarsal Bones
Metatars – Metatarsal Bones
Verteb – Vertebra
C-Spine – Cervical Spine
T-Spine – Thoracic Spine
L-Spine – Lumbar Spine
S-Spine – Sacral Spine
Cx – Cervical Vertebrae
Tx – Thoracic Vertebrae
Lx – Lumbar Vertebrae
Sac – Sacrum
Coccyx – Tailbone
TMJ – Temporomandibular Joint
ACJ – Acromioclavicular Joint
SCJ – Sternoclavicular Joint
GHJ – Glenohumeral Joint
SIJ – Sacroiliac Joint
MCP – Metacarpophalangeal Joint
PIP – Proximal Interphalangeal Joint
DIP – Distal Interphalangeal Joint
IPJ – Interphalangeal Joint
ACL – Anterior Cruciate Ligament
PCL – Posterior Cruciate Ligament
MCL – Medial Collateral Ligament
LCL – Lateral Collateral Ligament
MS – Musculoskeletal System
MMT – Manual Muscle Testing
RMT – Resting Muscle Tone
MVC – Maximum Voluntary Contraction
DOMS – Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness
AT – Achilles Tendon
TT – Tibialis Tendon
RT – Rotator Cuff
RF – Rectus Femoris
VL – Vastus Lateralis
VM – Vastus Medialis
BF – Biceps Femoris
TA – Tibialis Anterior
PL – Peroneus Longus
CNS – Central Nervous System
PNS – Peripheral Nervous System
ANS – Autonomic Nervous System
SNS – Sympathetic Nervous System
PNS – Parasympathetic Nervous System
CSF – Cerebrospinal Fluid
ICP – Intracranial Pressure
EEG – Electroencephalogram
EMG – Electromyography
NCV – Nerve Conduction Velocity
BPI – Brachial Plexus Injury
SCI – Spinal Cord Injury
TBI – Traumatic Brain Injury
CN I – Olfactory Nerve
CN II – Optic Nerve
CN III – Oculomotor Nerve
CN IV – Trochlear Nerve
CN V – Trigeminal Nerve
CN VI – Abducens Nerve
CN VII – Facial Nerve
CN VIII – Vestibulocochlear Nerve
CN IX – Glossopharyngeal Nerve
CN X – Vagus Nerve
CN XI – Accessory Nerve
CN XII – Hypoglossal Nerve
GIT – Gastrointestinal Tract
GERD – Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease
IBS – Irritable Bowel Syndrome
UGI – Upper Gastrointestinal
LGI – Lower Gastrointestinal
UTI – Urinary Tract Infection
GFR – Glomerular Filtration Rate
BUN – Blood Urea Nitrogen
CR – Creatinine
T3 – Triiodothyronine
T4 – Thyroxine
TSH – Thyroid-Stimulating Hormone
ACTH – Adrenocorticotropic Hormone
GH – Growth Hormone
INS – Insulin