History of Physical Therapy

Physical therapy, also referred to as physiotherapy, is a branch of medical science that deals with the treatment of injury and/or disorder by using physical methods. It is performed under the guidance of a physical therapist (PT) or an assistant (PTA). During a physiotherapy session, a therapist may use heat, cold, exercise, and at times, electricity. Like other medical fields, physical therapy has evolved tremendously. Let's take a look about the brief history of physical therapy.

History of Physical Therapy

The practice of physical therapy can be traced back to about 460 BC, when physicians Hippocrates and Hector used massage therapy and hydrotherapy (water therapy) to treat their patients. Massage therapy is a technique of physiotherapy, whereby basic hand movements are used to reduce stress, relieve pain and stimulate healing.

The earliest documented record of the founding of a professional group for physical therapy, was the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy, in England, in 1894. It was a group formed by trained nurses with the aim to provide physiotherapy services to the general public. Following this, several institutes started training programs for physiotherapy, for example in 1913, the University of Otago, New Zealand, established the School of Physiotherapy.

However, it was during the World War I (1917-1918) that physiotherapy was performed widely as a rehabilitation therapy for people who were injured in the war. People employed for such rehabilitative work were known as reconstruction aides and they were trained nurses having background of physical education and massage therapy.

Shortly after this, in 1921, Mary McMillan (the first physical therapy aide) founded the American Women's Physical Therapeutic Association, which was later changed to the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA). She contributed a lot to the reconstruction aide services and came to be known as "The Mother of Physical Therapy". It was in the same year, that the first research paper on physical therapy was published in the US. The year 1921, was regarded as a landmark, in the field of physical therapy, as national accreditation of physiotherapy programs was introduced.

In the subsequent years, more research studies were conducted and papers were published on physical therapy. In 1924, the Georgia Warm Springs Foundation was established to fight the polio epidemic. Till the 1940s, common physiotherapy practices included massage, exercise and traction. It was only in the early 1950s that manipulative therapy for the spine and joint pain was introduced in the British Commonwealth countries. It is to be noted that until this time, physiotherapy was practiced only in hospitals.

In 1956, physical therapists, APTA and medical researchers jointly worked and cooperated on the Salk vaccine (first polio vaccine developed by Dr.Jonas Salk) trials, which led to the development of a polio vaccine. By this time, physiotherapy was being practiced as a common health care profession in the US. In 1974, clinical specializations in physical therapy was made possible, with the foundation of Orthopedic Section by APTA.

With the development of computer and technology in the 1980s, more advancement was observed in the field of physiotherapy techniques. For example, electrical stimulators and iontophoresis devices were introduced for practicing physiotherapy.

Nowadays, from a layman having back pain to a sportsperson suffering from a sports injury, physical therapy has become a common procedure for treatment of musculoskeletal injury and disorder.

Duties of a Physical Therapist

Physical therapists or physiotherapists are professionals who render services which assist people who are suffering from injuries or disorders, to preclude permanent physical impairments. They are responsible for reestablishing physical functions, meliorating mobility, and providing physical relief from pain. They carry out the important functions of restituting, maintaining, and promoting overall fitness and health of the people who require medical care. They care for and treat people who have road accident injuries, or are suffering from several disorders and diseases such as back pain, arthritis, heart disease, fractures, serious head traumas, and cerebral palsy.

The primary duties of physical therapists include studying the medical history of patients and examining and measuring their strength, balance and physical coordination, posture, functioning of the muscles, respiration and motor functions. They formulate strategies which depict treatments and their expected results. Such interventions mostly include physical exercises for individuals who are immobilized or deficient in flexibility, strength, or endurance. Physical therapists may introduce therapies which better the flexibility of motion of the patient's muscles. The main aim of these therapies is to improve the basic physical functioning of the individual, so that he is able to carry out his daily activities with optimum balance and coordination and power to withstand hardship or stress.

The task of physical therapists may include the use of electrical stimulation, hot packs, cold compresses and ultrasonography for pain relief and reduction in swelling. They use traction procedure or deep-tissue massage to help the patient get rid of pain and to restore circulation and flexibility. They recommend their patients to make use of helpful equipments, like crutches, prosthetic aids, and wheelchairs, which certainly help patients get back to a normal life. They educate and train their patients regarding various physical exercises which can be done at home, for faster recovery.

Physical therapists make a detailed record of the patient's progress, carry out periodical checkups and examinations and alter the therapies or treatments, if and when required. If needed, they frequently consult and work with other professionals from the medical field, like doctors, dental practitioners, nurses, pedagogues, welfare workers, occupational therapists, speech-language diagnosticians, and audiologists. This includes participating in multidisciplinary teams to plan and work out treatment modalities, according to the needs and suitability of their patients. They guide, train, and supervise therapy assistants, regarding care and treatment of patients and successful completion of standardized processes. Some physical therapists handle, treat, and cure a variety of illnesses, whereas others specialize in fields like pediatric medicine, gerontology, orthopedics, sports medicine, clinical neurology, and cardiopulmonary physical therapy.

Physical therapists carry out their tasks in hospitals, clinics, and private facilities which are equipped with latest medical technologies. They may also work with sports teams, and treat sportsmen with injuries such as muscle sprain or a cramp. They may be employed by schools, sports clubs, private or government hospitals or may be self-employed. The tasks which are carried out by them are physically challenging, as they may be required to stand for long periods of time or perform other strenuous tasks. Moreover, they may have to lift up patients, to help them stand, walk or turn and handle and move bulky instruments.

There are many more tasks which physical therapists may have to carry out, if needed. If one is in search of a career like this, which involves a lot of movement and helping individuals with mobility problems, a career in physical therapy would be ideal.