Physical medicine and rehabilitation is a specialty of medicine and surgery which deals with restoration of function of the organ system especially after an insult , either trauma or due to disease. Most common ailments which needs rehabilitation is paralysis. Joint stiffness following trauma/ illness, chronic back ache, chronic neck pain are other common ailments which need this specialty. Cardio and respiratory rehabilitation is needed in cardiac and respiratory failure patients.

Physical therapy (or physiotherapy), often abbreviated PT, is a health care profession primarily concerned with the remediation of impairments and disabilities and the promotion of mobility, functional ability, quality of life and movement potential through examination, evaluation, diagnosis and physical intervention carried out by physical therapists (known as physiotherapists in most countries) and physical therapist assistants.