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460 BCE
Early Beginnings
460 BC - The first ideas of manual pain relief was introduced by none other than the father of medicine: Hippocrates. During this time, hydrotherapy was very common. This is simply therapy but in water. -
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Father of Physical Therapy
During this time, Modern Gymnastics became more popular in Sweden and around the world. Per Henrik Ling was a gymnast and became interested in how exercise could be used as healing and physical rehabilitation. He founded the Royal Gymnastics Central Institute. This school focused on physical rehabilitation and later on lead to the advancement of manual therapy. -
Chartered Society of Physiotherapy
Four British nurses founded this society, which still exists till this day. The creation of this society led to more schools of Physiotherapy to be created. -
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Polio Epidemic and World War I
'Rehabilitation Therapy' and 'Physical Reconstruction' became more popular during this time due to all the injuries caused by WWI. Polio, which caused paralysis in muscles, allowed physical therapists to have more understanding in how to help patients recuperate with the strength they had left. -
PT Review and The Mother of Physical Therapy
Mary McMillan established the American Women's Physical Therapeutic Association, later on renamed the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA). She became known as the Mother of Physical Therapy. In this year, a Physical Therapy Review paper was published in the PT Review. -
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Location and Specialties
During this time, most physical therapists only worked in hospitals and simply specialized in one area - Physical Therapy. Later on, they began to treat patients outside of hospitals. During the 1970's the orthopedic specialty was introduced by APTA. -
International Federation of Orthopedic Manipulative Therapy
The International Federation of Orthopedic Manipulative Therapy was created and is still functioning till this day. Their purpose/goal is to promote and maintain high standards of the clinical practice of physiotherapists. -
Technological Advancements
Computers and various devices started being used in medical sciences. These devices allowed for physiotherapy treatment to become more effective and efficient. These advancements led to the creation of more specialties within the branch of physical therapy (Cardiopulmonary, skin, neurological, and sports therapy). -
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What's goin on now?
Physical Therapy has advanced in so many ways that it is now used for different alignment conditions and various affects of common diseases. No matter what area PT's specialize in, there is a common goal, to give the patient a better quality of life.