The History of Physical Therapy
Wednesday, November 16th, 2011Just like sports medicine, physical therapy began in ancient Greece. Hippocrates, an ancient Greek physician and a prominent figure in the history of medicine, advocated for massage and Hector used water therapy.
The earliest documents of physical therapy only date back to 1894 when English nurses formed the Chartered Society for Physiotherapy.
Physical therapy began in the U.S. in 1914 at Reed College in Portland, Oregon. The first known graduates of a physical therapy program were known as reconstructive aides.
Like other medical professions, research is an important aspect of physical therapy. The first published research of physical therapy was in 1921 in The PT Review.
1921 – The year the American Women’s Physical Therapeutic Association was founded. Association changed to the American Physiotherapy Association in the 1930′s and officially became the American Physical Therapy Association in the late 1940′s. Educational institutions began establishing standards and programs became accredited.
1924 – Georgia Warm Springs Foundation came into existence and emphasized working on physical therapy related to polio.
1940’s – Physical therapy mainly consisted of exercise, massage and traction.
1950’s – Therapists started to move beyond hospitals.
1974 – Specialization in physical therapy started. The APTA formed an Orthopaedic section for those physical therapists focusing on the practice of orthopaedics.
1980’s – Technology and computers lead to more advances in rehabilitation. Computerized modalities, ultrasound and electric simulators are technologies that helped advance the practice of physical therapy.
1990’s – Attention to manual therapy and formal residency programs are becoming more numerous.
If you’re interested in finding out more about physical therapy and what we do here at OAZ, please contact the office.





