Physical Therapy - Progression Through Time, Trial and Error

Who came up with the idea to help people with physical problems? The story of physical therapy begins during the year 460 B.C. with two men, massage, and a large vat of water.

If a time machine were ever invented, you may find it interesting to travel back to the year 460 B.C in order to search for a man named Hippocrates and another man named Hector. The two could be found going about their daily activities in Ancient Greece - though those activities may astound you. Hippocrates always felt that massage was the way to ease the pain of those that suffered, while Hector always considered the use of hydrotherapy rather helpful. However, in order to find the first documented story of physical therapy, you may have to set that time machine for the year 1894.

The Chartered Society of Physiotherapy began in England during 1894, and this group of healers was formed by many nurses wishing to start formal therapy training programs. Once the rest of the world heard about these nurses and their society, various other physical therapy groups began to pop up all over the world. Eventually, many schools across the globe were founded, and this sort of healing took on a whole new meaning.

From the moment the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy and various education programs sprung up, the story of physical therapy would change forever. As soon as people began to become interested in this profession, many scientists found themselves seeking answers to various therapy related questions. Thus, research into the field was begun, and the very first type of research relating to this profession was published in the United States in March 1921 - this was also the first edition of The PT Review.

Once the first journal related to this type of therapy was published, Mary McMillan began the Physical Therapy Association (APTA). Soon enough, this profession gained legitimacy all over the world, and many began to take great interest in this field. As you can see, this type of therapy has come a long way from its ancient beginnings.

The story of physical therapy is vast and it contains many struggles. However, this background also contains many triumphs - the biggest one being that this practice (and some of the original publications about this practice) still exists today. Those that have taken the oath to become a part of this field are both well educated and highly qualified - in short, these therapists know how to help a person move again ... and that is no small feat.