Rehabilitation is a very comprehensive term and its literal meaning is the restoration of lost functions. Compared to physical therapy, it is a longer process and requires the patient's active participation and effort in the treatment.

The concept of rehabilitation was introduced in Europe and the USA as a result of the need for treatment of diseases and disabilities that occurred after the 1st and 2nd World Wars. has also emerged. In Turkey, rehabilitation practices began in later years, with the contributions of valuable scientists who went abroad and received training in this new field.

Rehabilitation was previously defined only as 'medical treatment of injuries'. Later, the scope of this definition was expanded. All studies carried out to partially or completely eliminate diseases with medication, surgery, physical methods and assistive devices and to ensure the physical, spiritual, social and economic independence of the patient are called rehabilitation.

Rehabilitation work should be carried out by a team, not a single person. The rehabilitation team may consist of medical specialists such as physical medicine and rehabilitation specialist (physiatrist), neurologist, psychiatrist, and orthopedist, and non-physician health professionals such as physiotherapist, sports trainer, speech therapist, vocational counselor and psychologist.