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Period: 435 BCE to
When Physical therapy began
In Ancient Greece during the 1700s they discovered that hot springs had healing properties. They would use water for swollen joints and muscles for rehabilitation. -
Period: to
Father of Physical Therapy
Per Henrik Ling, known as the father of physical therapy for finding the connection between exercise and healing. In Sweden he studied how repetitive body movements along with a massage can help heal the body. -
Period: to
Physical Therapy In Britain
The practice of physical therapy and physiotherapy began spreading outside of just Sweden. In 1884 four British nurses founded the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy. -
School of Physiotherapy
In New Zealand the first school of Physiotherapy was built. Physiotherapy was already being taught, this was one of the first steps to grow and further spread education. The second school was built in the United States of America, one year later. Both schools were very important in the polio epidemic. -
American Women's Physical Therapeutics Association (AWPTA)
Former reconstruction aides that helped the military came together to form the AWPTA. There were 274 women across 32 states in just the first year. -
American Physical Therapy Association (APTA)
The APTA was established in 1924. Physical Therapy at this time consisted mostly of massage, traction, and exercises. Manipulative therapies for joints and spine did not happen until the 1950s. -
House of Delegates
The APA created the House of Delegates. This was a big step in creating standards in this practice with legislative bylaws. -
Orthopedic Section Specialty
The APTA formed the orthopedic section for doctors who wanted to specialize in orthopedics. In this specialization, there was a new organization named, "International Federation of Orthopedic Manipulative Therapy". This organization had the fundamentals of modern-day physical therapy. -
Specialization in Physical Therapy
Now doctors could actually specialize in physical therapy rather than just Orthopedics. -
Technology advances
In the 1980s technology takes a progressive step forward, allowing advancements in rehabilitation. Without the continued use of computers and electric stimulators, we would not have the cutting-edge machinery that is used widely throughout Physical Therapy. -
American Academy of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapists
Freddy Kaltenborne, a physical therapist in Norway had a big role in creating the AAOMPT.