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Period: 500 BCE to 435 BCE
Early use of Therapy Techniques
In the early 500 BC, the ancient greeks, known as Hippocrates, were physicians who were dealing with disease problems from their patients and wanted to develop a 'natural' method to treat the disease. Hippocrates discovered methods to make disease resistants and strengthen the human body by physical massages or exercises. This was the first time therapy on human body was exercised. -
435 BCE
The Greeks' Rubbing and Friction Techniques as Therapy
Hippocrates developed ways to treat patients from the disease by utilizing friction and rubbing as form of healing, as well as developing healthy diet and music for healthy mindset. -
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Modern Physical Therapy Take Over Europe/America
Modern therapy began developing and modifying methods in the late 1800s-1900s when Europeans sought physical therapy techniques as treatments for body disorders and intensive injuries. Because of the rapid demand on helping adult and child patients and the development of new and advancing physical therapy techniques, the Europeans established PT incorporations to educate and practice. Soon the Americans contribute physical therapy to grow throughout the world for career opportunities. -
Europe's first use of PT as Orthopedics Treatments.
Physical Therapy brought Europeans' attention in favor to treat bone disorders (orthopedics) from young and elder patients throughout Europe. -
Sweden, the founders of practicing "Physiotherapy"
Through the year 1887, Sweden country began adopting the use of physical therapy but varying in different techniques such as stroke movements, gymnastics exercises and massages (Swedish massage) developed by Swedish professionals. The Swedish massage was becoming common in the area of physical therapy practice, as a result, changing the term into Physiotherapy. The practice of physiotherapy then brought attention to nearby countries like England and Denmark as practices in their nations. -
Physical Therapy in demand during WW1
Through the years of World War 1, within the Polio outbreak, a large capacity of soldiers in the war were wounded due to the lack of physical treatments involved. Large groups of children were growing ill by the Polio epidemic spreading the entire U.S. country. The physical therapy techniques weren't much used in the United States until this period. Hospitals and healthcare fields were demanding more physiotherapists to fill the spaces in order to treat wounded soldiers by building PT schools. -
Physiotherapy practiced by women during WW1 and Reconstruction
Continuing the Reconstruction event in the United States in 1918, General William C. Gorgas aimed at women to train them to administer massages and physical therapy techniques to the injured WW1 soldiers. The growing of aides by women, such as Mary McMillan and other physical therapist females, successfully healed a large number of soldiers. Hence, the development of American Women's Physical Therapeutic Association was constructed in 1921 Women were able to practice physical therapy as careers. -
Thanks to Mary McMillan's APTA, PT became Officially International as Career Advancements.
McMillan's association (APTA) became more operative and advocated many people across the world in applying for physical therapist practices. Through its founding, the association included innumerable resources for PT career advancements such as certifications, access to PT networks and PT scientific journals like the Physical Therapy Journal. The number of physical therapist skyrocketed around the world, according to the World Physiotherapy organization reports of 600,000+ practices globally. -
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The Growing of PT in Education and Tech
After the establishments of associations and demands for new physical therapy techniques in the late 1900's, the practice had expanded globally and more opportunities are being offered to different people who were interested in. PT degree programs began developing for the society, yet there were several changes on accreditation and license requirements. There were also changes or advancements in the therapy procedures and the way it must be taught in colleges. -
New PT treatment utilization on other parts of the body.
The physical therapy techniques increase its utilization from body massages to treatments on joints and and spine. -
PT practices moving to other non-hospital fields
Since the foundation of Physical Therapy, the practices were always developed in the hospital areas. However after the 1950's, the PT continued to expand that then caused to move on clinics, schools settings, rehabilitation centers, and geriatric care facilities to treat millions of patients with pain and chronic conditions -
PT programs for Military
By 1928, colleges began operating PT degree programs through medical schools. Progressing time to time, the degree programs were available for military participants with a direct application from universities in 1971. -
CAPTE accrediting PT programs with valid requirements
After the operation of multiple PT degrees and certificates for millions, the Commission of Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE) demanded standardization on the practices and teachings. -
License required for PT programs in all 50 states.
Back in 1950, it was used that physical therapist individuals have to take exams only to show they're capable to work under therapy procedures. However in 2003, graduates of physical therapy must pass the National Physical Therapy Examination administered by state. This requirement has been placed to all 50 states of the United States and licensing must also be part to all physical therapy credentials. Moreover, the degree programs for PT obligated every entry-level individuals must have a Phd. -
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Physical Therapist Today!
Following the history on body pains, injuries and bone disorders, physical therapy treatments have been successful solutions to all these problems and improved the well-being of every patient worldwide. It had been a successful topic that even succeed in career development because now many parts of the world have marked high demand for PT positions. Although the changes of credentials in the practices are still in progress, PT became effective on its purpose and power to open new professions.