HISTORY OF PHYSICAL THERAPY

EVOLUTION OF PHYSICAL THERAPIST 1920’S- The physical therapist was referred to as a trained assistant. They could only work in agencies that catered to muscle training, therapeutic message, hydrotherapy, and light therapies Could only practice under the supervision of a licensed physician

Today physical therapist are referred to as practitioners and are responsible for evaluation, treatment, preventive care, ad consultation of patients.

A NEW OCCUPATION Physical therapy dates back as far as the late nineteenth century. There was a sudden increase in its application occurring in the 1900s Infantile paralysis prompted the use of physical modalities and procedures in the 1890s Teams of nonphysician workers were organized under medical direction to provide care to those stricken with the diease.

World War I forced attention on the use of restoring physical function in injured members of both the military forces and the civilian workforce. Through the application of physical therapeutics the specialty branch of medicine known today as physical therapy became an identifiable occupation.

Earliest years focus the preservation of human resources World War I focus the preserving, restoration, and maintanece of a fighting force End of World War I direction turned back to the preservation of and maintaining the work force.

Training Mary McMillan- the first physical therapist in the United States. Marguerite Sanderson- one of the first practitioners who assisted in the planning and organization of activities that would eventually make physical therapeutics a part of the care provided for military personnel.

Y 1918- outlines for a course of study had been developed and practitioners could practice as Reconstruction Aides in the Reconstruction Hospitals Practitioners in the military were known as Reconstruction Aides Practitioners in the rendering services in the civilian population were known as Physiotherapy Aides, Physiotherapy Technicians, and in some cases, Physician’s Assistants.

Individuals who were called “Assistants” were personally trained by a physician work in his or her private office.

1920 TO PRESENT Early 20th Century- pressures of the industrial society and a national crisis spawned and supported the development of the occupation of physical therapy. Because of WWI the benefits of physical therapeutics were used as a means to alleviate dysfunction and promote movement spread through the country

1940’s- brought the polio epidemic and and WWII. Once again the forces of the military and the civilian sectors were combined to met the need Physical Therapy was propelled through a major period of growth As a result of WWII, two new concepts emerged - Rehabilitation Services vocational and emotional services - Investigation by neuroscientists of the application of neurophysiologic principles in body movement

Years immediately following WWII- a new medical specialty- “physical medicine” emerged. Physical Medicine- concentrated on caring for the patient through the use of physical properties such as light, heat, cold, water, electricity, massage, manipulation, exercise, and mechanical devices for physical therapy in the diagnosis and treatment of disease.

EMERGENCE OF THE OCCUPATION Physical Therapy is clearly an occupation of the 20th century Emerged from a service to restore locomotor function to an emerging profession. Evolution includes: establishment of standards for education and practice efforts toward clarifying the scope of practice endeavors toward professionalism

THE REHABILITATION TEAM The major focus of the rehabilitation team is rendering care to patients after they begin recovery from an acute or debilitating illness The main goal of the rehabilitative team is to restore patient’s as much as possible to the daily functions of living It is important to remember that it is mainly damage to a part of the nervous, vascular, or skeletal system that is most responsible for causing physical disabilities

The loss of bodily function sometimes brings feelings of inadequacy or despair and often and unwelcome dependence on others A MAJOR GOAL OF THE REHABILITATION TEAM IS TO ASSIST THE PATIENT IN MINIMIZING THE DISABILITY AND TO HELP IN PLANNING A WAY OF DAILY LIVING THAT IS OPTIMAL FOR THE INDIVIDUAL