Introduction to Physiotherapy

Physiotherapy is as old a medicine itself, dating back to Ancient Greece in the era of Hippocrates. Since then, physiotherapy has evolved from simple massage to a complex portfolio of therapies with many specialized applications.

In Ancient Greece circa 460 BC, Hector practiced a physiotherapy technique called "hydrotherapy" - which is Greek for water treatment. Physiotherapists today still employ hydrotherapy, now evolved and adapted specifically to various patient conditions.

In 1894, the UK recognized physiotherapy as a specialized branch of nursing regulated by a Chartered Society. In the succeeding two decades, formal physiotherapy programs were established in other countries including New Zealand (1913) and the USA (1914).

In the USA, physiotherapy is usually referred to as Physical Therapy.
The first record of American physiotherapy was at Walter Reed College and Hospital of Portland, Oregon where nurses with physical education experience worked as "reconstruction aides". These "reconstruction aides" contributed vitally to the recovery and rehabilitation of many WWI vets.

In 1921, Mary McMillan formed the Physical Therapy Association in the USA. Subsequently renamed the APTA, this organization profoundly influenced development of physiotherapy in America.

The polio epidemic of the 1920's was a landmark turning point for the physiotherapy profession. Sister Kinney, of the Mayo Clinic achieved national reknown for work with polio victims. The Georgia Warm Springs Foundation was established in 1924 in response to the polio epidemic and provided physiotherapy for these polio patients.

After the polio epidemic subsided, physiotherapy treatments comprised mainly exercise, massage and traction. From 1950, chiropractic manipulations were also introduced, most commonly in Great Britain initially. The Orthopedics specialty within physiotherapy also emerged at about the same time.

From that date, physiotherapy expanded from hospitals out to other areas of medical care. Physiotherapists now work also in clinics, nursing homes, private practice and schools.

Research has long been a feature of modern physiotherapy, dating from the first USA research study publication in 1921. Research continues actively today in a wide range of specialties.

A significant force in the recent evolution of physiotherapy has been the International Federation of Orthopaedic Manipulative Therapy. Notable individuals driving change in technique and training have included Mariano Rocabado (Chile); Freddy Kaltenborn (Norway/USA); and Geoffrey Maitland (Australia).

During the 1980's, technology became the focus of change in physiotherapy. Novel procedures featured computers, electrical stimulation, ultrasound and other new equipment. However, led by Freddy Kaltenborn, interest reverted to manual therapy in the following decade.

Throughout development of the Physiotherapy profession, training and technique have continued to change and improve. Gifted pioneers have contributed richly to the profession's literature and field organizations. In consequence, Physiotherapy now commands wide recognition and well-earned respect, with many young people expressing interest in making their career in the profession.

Comments

i'm currently studying to become a division 1 nurse and i'm doing a research assignment on physiotherapy. could you please tell me who (or what organisation) wrote the article on "what spinal cord injury patients can accomplish with physiotherapy" and when and who (or what organisation) created this site so i can reference it in my essay? thank you.

By samantha viti
21^st August 2008 - 9:11pm

history of physical therapy - By adnan sarwar
1^st September 2008 - 7:41am

when was this written? what year?

By gemma
5^th October 2008 - 6:33am

GOOD JOB GOOD

PHYSIO - By girish
22^nd November 2008 - 4:12am

iwant to the study by email...kindly inform me

phisiotherpy - By nayyar ara
2^nd February 2009 - 9:26am

please sent the information for me
regarding physiotherpay

physiotherapy - By hamayoun.karimi
8^th February 2009 - 12:07am

give me information regarding physiothepay

physitherapy - By hamayoun.karimi
8^th February 2009 - 12:09am

HI!
Studyin masters in sports med.

DPT program - By Simon
17^th February 2009 - 5:28am

I cant pass 1st yr of bpth since last 4yrs

Big problem - By Nilesh p. Raut
15^th March 2009 - 11:54am

I am very much interested to learn more about physiotherapy.

Thank you very much!

Kindest Regards,
Merly

By Merly - Homepage
18^th April 2009 - 6:40pm

good one

By shelly
20^th May 2009 - 12:34pm

What is the significance of physiotherapy?

By Anisa Yunus Nadaf
30^th May 2009 - 2:04am

hi i want to do masters or postgrad dip in musculoskeletal or paediatric neuro or massage sort of streems in canada or ireland anticipitating for information kindly send me some details

need information regarding pg courses - By bhuvan
20^th June 2009 - 2:43am

I want to study in London on Post graduation Diploma in Physiotherapy.

Post graduation Diploma in Physiotherapy - By Khabir
30^th June 2009 - 2:11pm

Hello there!
I would like to know where can i do post graduate degree in Physiotheraphy?

wanna knw - By Nash
4^th July 2009 - 9:23am

I am Bangladeshi

Technique of massage - By Md.Sobuj Miah
16^th July 2009 - 1:27am

Very good job.really interesting work. by the way what are you doing? where are you?

I'm Dr.Michael Calins, Physical therapist from India. working for professional development in India.

By Michael Calins - Homepage
30^th July 2009 - 7:42am

It's very intering about physiotherapy,i want to lean more about it.

By mark - Homepage
8^th August 2009 - 7:35am

It's very interesting about Physiotheraphy.

By mark - Homepage
8^th August 2009 - 7:40am

i hav completed my 12th i m confused that which field is the best in physiotherapy plz help me

By rafia
10^th August 2009 - 11:09pm

we will do our best and good services.

i am very proud to say physiotherapist - By vikram
7^th September 2009 - 11:00pm

i am aphysiotherapist

physiotherapy job in u.s.a - By ramesh singh
15^th September 2009 - 9:55am

Requesting everyone 2 enjoy our physiotherapy profession and work hard. please dont change your profession after completing the graduation.unity is strength please join together to get our professional freedom.Proud to be a PHYSIOTHERAPIST

By vinoth kannan
20^th September 2009 - 10:22am

the above giving detail r good

phsio for u - By manish yiwari - Homepage
23^rd September 2009 - 10:55am

Hi,
Am a third year medical physiotherapy student at University Of Nigeria,Enugu Campus. Please, i will love to have a chat with qualified medical physiotherapist.

To have a chat with physiotherapist - By ONOH, ISRAEL CHIADIKAOBI
21^st November 2009 - 5:05am

Hi,
Am a third year medical physiotherapy student at University Of Nigeria,Enugu Campus. Please, i will love to have a chat with qualified medical physiotherapist.

To have a chat with physiotherapist - By ONOH, ISRAEL CHIADIKAOBI
21^st November 2009 - 5:05am

I'm very much happy to becoming a physiotherapist.it's really a nice profession.Now i just want to complete my MS from U.S.A. is there any body for help me?

Best medical profession - By Md.Aminul Islam(Amin)
5^th December 2009 - 8:46am

PHYSIOTHERAPY IS CHALLANGING PROFFESION.

PHYSIOTHERAPIST - By SUSHEEL KUMAR
15^th December 2009 - 9:34am

Without fact checking, it appears that this article was well researched and well written. I just stumbled on to this blog, but must say I am impressed. thanks

Good content - By Christian - Homepage
21^st December 2009 - 7:05am

diploma in physiotherapy

By simran
6^th January 2010 - 2:17am

Hello everybody,
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physiotheraphy - By shailaja - Homepage
8^th January 2010 - 3:18am

reliable information collected from useful articles, really i appreciate this work, i dont who is the founder of this site, am working in malaysia as a lecturer, s as like u i love this profession, interest to do lot of new things,so me the way,

realiable histroy notes about physiothearapy - By senthilkumar - Homepage
17^th January 2010 - 10:00am

i invite all of qualified physiotherapist..please put (Dr)before your name...example-Dr.Maruf Ahmed Chowdhury

By Dr.Maruf
26^th January 2010 - 2:44pm

i like that job very much

physiothrapist - By Dr gulzar
29^th January 2010 - 4:05am

im also pt student

hai - By antony
29^th January 2010 - 8:51am

i need your help 9750121470

shailaja please contact me - By antony
29^th January 2010 - 8:54am

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Introduction to Physiotherapy

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