History of Physical Therapy

  • Origin

    Physical therapy originated as a professional group that dated to Per Henrik Ling, Known as the "father of Swedish gymnastics." He founded the royal central institute of gymnastics and solely focused on massage, individual muscle manipulation, and exercise​. Shaik AR, Shemjaz AM. The rise of physical therapy: A history in footsteps. Arch Med Health Sci 2014;2:257-60
  • Physiotherapy

    The work physiotherapy​ first appeared in an article by Dr. Lorenz Gleich, a german military physician. Shaik AR, Shemjaz AM. The rise of physical therapy: A history in footsteps. Arch Med Health Sci 2014;2:257-60
  • Polio

    During the polio epidemic, the physical therapist developed manual muscle testing the strength of the muscles and implementing reeducation technique for weaker muscles. Shaik AR, Shemjaz AM. The rise of physical therapy: A history in footsteps. Arch Med Health Sci 2014;2:257-60
  • Effects of War

    While the United States was fighting in World War I, the need to rehab injured soldiers was recognized​ by the Army which led to the formation of a special unit in the Army's medical department. Shaik AR, Shemjaz AM. The rise of physical therapy: A history in footsteps. Arch Med Health Sci 2014;2:257-60
  • Intergration

    "Reconstruction aides" served as civilians in military hospitals​, and the first school for physical therapy was established at Walter Reed Hospital. Yurtoğlu, N. (2018). http://www.historystudies.net/dergi//birinci-dunya-savasinda-bir-asayis-sorunu-sebinkarahisar-ermeni-isyani20181092a4a8f.pdf. History Studies International Journal of History, 10(7), 241–264. doi: 10.9737/hist.2018.658
  • Organization Name I

    A national​ organization the American Women's Physical Therapeutic Association was formed. Yurtoğlu, N. (2018). http://www.historystudies.net/dergi//birinci-dunya-savasinda-bir-asayis-sorunu-sebinkarahisar-ermeni-isyani20181092a4a8f.pdf. History Studies International Journal of History, 10(7), 241–264. doi: 10.9737/hist.2018.658
  • Organization Name II

    Named was changed to American Physiotherapy Association to reflect the inclusion of qualified men. Two men were​ included the following year. Yurtoğlu, N. (2018). http://www.historystudies.net/dergi//birinci-dunya-savasinda-bir-asayis-sorunu-sebinkarahisar-ermeni-isyani20181092a4a8f.pdf. History Studies International Journal of History, 10(7), 241–264. doi: 10.9737/hist.2018.658
  • Organization Name III

    the organization named changed to the ​American Physical Therapy Association. Yurtoğlu, N. (2018). http://www.historystudies.net/dergi//birinci-dunya-savasinda-bir-asayis-sorunu-sebinkarahisar-ermeni-isyani20181092a4a8f.pdf. History Studies International Journal of History, 10(7), 241–264. doi: 10.9737/hist.2018.658
  • Educational Requirements

    The baccalaureate degree was identified as the minimum degree for physical therapy education​. Moffat. (1996). http://ljournal.ru/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/a-2017-023.pdf. PT Education Timeline. doi: 10.18411/a-2017-023
  • Curriculum

    curriculum change not only emphasis physical therapy education but an ​increased emphasis on public health concerns. Moffat. (1996). http://ljournal.ru/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/a-2017-023.pdf. PT Education Timeline. doi: 10.18411/a-2017-023
  • Accomplishments

    Howard University established the first physical therapy program at a historically​ black college and graduated eight that year.
  • Accrediting Change

    The American Physical Therapy Association became the sole accrediting agency of physical therapy programs. Moffat. (1996). http://ljournal.ru/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/a-2017-023.pdf. PT Education Timeline. doi: 10.18411/a-2017-023
  • Doctorate

    the first Doctorate of Physical Therapy in the United States graduated from Creighton University​. Mathur , sunita. (2013). Figure 2f from: Irimia R, Gottschling M (2016) Taxonomic revision of Rochefortia Sw. (Ehretiaceae, Boraginales). Biodiversity Data Journal 4: e7720. https://doi.org/10.3897/BDJ.4.e7720. Doctorate in Physical Therapy: Is It Time for a Conversion? doi: 10.3897/bdj.4.e7720.figure2f