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Per Henrik Ling “father of Swedish gymnastics”
In 1813 a man by the name Per Henrik Ling founded the royal Central Institute of Gymnastics in Stockholm, Sweden. Here is where he used manipulation, exercise and massage for those involved with gymnastics but had some sort of impairment. Per Henrik Ling is known as the father of Swedish gymnastics. http://www.amhsjournal.org/text.asp?2014/2/2/257/144367 -
Physiotherapie
According to the APTA the physical therapy profession is an established theoretical and scientific base of clinical applications to restore, maintain, and promote optimal physical function.The initial name for Physical Therapist was created in Sweden where they were called “sjukgymnast” which was someone involved in gymnastics for those who are ill or “sick-gymnast”. http://www.amhsjournal.org/text.asp?2014/2/2/257/144367 -
Polio Epidemic
The polio epidemic struck in 1894 with only 132 cases, by 1916 a much larger outbreak stuck with over 27,000 cases and 6,000 deaths in New York City alone. Polio caused paralysis, muscle atrophy, loss of deep tendon reflexes, and fasciculation within the muscle. The weakening of the muscle created painful spasms. This outbreak in conjunction with WWII the need for physical therapy was in much greater demand. https://www.jospt.org/doi/pdf/10.2519/jospt.2004.0301 -
1920's Partnership - Medical and PT professionals collaborate
In 1917 WW1 erupted leaving many US soldiers injured. The need for rehabilitation was recognized by the US ARMY. A partnership developed in the 1920s between medical and PT staff that grew recognition by the public. http://www.apta.org/Blogs/PTTransforms/2018/3/8/ReconstructionAides/
http://www.amhsjournal.org/article.asp?issn=2321-4848%3Byear%3D2014%3Bvolume%3D2%3Bissue%3D2%3Bspage%3D257%3Bepage%3D260%3Baulast%3DShaik%3Btype%3D3 -
Mary McMillian
Mary McMillian was born in Hyde Park, Massachusetts and grew up in England. She received her education at the College of Physical Culture in Liverpool where she worked with children. In 1918 she was assistant to Walter Reed Army Hospital where she led the first physical therapy educational program. Mary was one of the founders of the American Physical Therapy Association, although at that time had a different name. https://www.apta.org/History/ -
American Physiotherapy Association - American Women’s Physical Therapeutic Association
In 1921 the American Women’s Physical Therapeutic Association was created. The first association included 274 members that was led by a women names Mary McMillian. A year later the named changed to American Physiotherapy Association to become more inclusive and admit men. It wasn’t until the 1930’s where the first “code of ethics” was created in the United States. https://www.apta.org/History/ -
Walter Reed Army Hospital - First PT graduates
The first PT program graduated its first class in1923 at Walter Reed Army Hospital. The 4 month course was offered to qualified applicants completed at least 2 years of physical educations at an accredited school. They all served as an Army physical therapist for 1 year after completion of the program. https://www.medicalmuseum.mil/index.cfm?p=media.news.article.2019.innovation_leads_to_rehabilitation#:~:text=Once%20Walter%20Reed%20General%20Hospital,were%20known%20as%20reconstruction%20aides. -
Introduction of the PTA
The concept of the PTA dated back to the 1940’s but it wasn’t until the 60’s that the real demand emerged. Aides were used but physical therapists needed someone with more physical therapy education. http://www.apta.org/Blogs/PTTransforms/2019/1/23/PTA50/
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National Physical Therapy Exam (NPTE)
Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy manages the NPTE with computer based testing. This license allows you to practice in all 50 days but some states require a jurisprudence exam. https://www.fsbpt.org/Free-Resources/NPTE-Articles-Old/A-History-of-the-Physical-Therapy-Examination#:~:text=Before%201950%2C%20physical%20therapists%20took,Physical%20Therapy%20Examination%20(NPTE). https://www.fsbpt.org/Secondary-Pages/Exam-Candidates/Jurisprudence-Exam -
Progression to Doctor of Physical Therapy - In the US
Transitioning to doctorate level has been much debated, the ultimate decision was made based on patient care, societal needs, education for more evidence based practice, and autonomy of the profession. The shift was made that all PT programs be at a doctoral level by 2020. The first doctorate trained PT program was at the University of Nebraska in 1996. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3076909/
