The History Of Physical Therapy and Athletic Training

Hippocrates, considered the father of medicine, practiced manual manipulation or massage therapy. The Greeks also practiced hydrotherapy. Greeks were very well recorded does not mean that it was the only society using therapy.
Importance: This is a starting point where humans are shown using some form of physical therapy.

Per Henrik Ling, “Father of Swedish Gymnastics,” who founded the Royal Central Institute of Gymnastics (RCIG) in 1813 for massage, manipulation, and exercise. later known as 'medical gymnastics'. Became very popular, but eventually with help from traditional physician, the treatments used were phased out.
Importance: This is when physical therapy started in 'modern' society.

Physical therapists were given official registration by Sweden’s National Board of Health and Welfare.
Importance: This validates the profession.

This organization started as Society of Trained Masseuses by 4
British nurses, Lucy Marianne Robinson, Rosalind Paget, Elizabeth Anne Manley and Margaret Dora Palmer. They started this organization to protect the image of their profession. One of the first organization for physiotherapists or physical therapists. Brought back some popularity to a somewhat phased out treatment.

The first modern olympic games were held in Paris, France. Eventually they did have attendants, now know as athletic trainers, for the athletes the would help with injury prevention and injuries.
Importance: This is when athletic training started.

Polio, or poliomyelitis a virus that infects a person's brain and spinal cord causing paralysis. Besides medicine, physical rehabilitation was used as a treatment. The 32nd president of the United States, Franklin Delano Roosevelt had polio and was in a physical rehabilitation program.

The virus had it's peak around 1940-1950 in the US. Then in 1952 a vaccine was made.
Last known cases in the United States was around 1979.
Importance: A popular and important figure in the US was stricken with an aliment and was using physical therapy as treatment. This was important because the profession was being exposed more.

University of Otago in New Zealand (1913)
Reed College in Portland, Oregon (1914)
Importance: Some examples for early schools that had formal training for physical therapists

In the United States, Physical Therapy began in 1914 at Walter Reed Hospital in Washington DC. It was one of the most important medical facilities at the time, it graduated the first 'reconstruction aides'. These were nurses with a background in physical education needed to help manage the devastating effects of the First World War.
Importance: This changed the settings of hospitals from illness to illness and rehabilitation.

First published US physical therapy research was featured in first edition of The PT Review.
Importance: This marks a movement of scientific research and technology to move physical therapy forward.

Mary McMillan, the first physical therapy aide, established the American Women's Physical Therapeutic Association. The organization's name was changed a year later to American Physical Therapy Association (APTA). Due to her significant contribution in the reconstruction aide services, Mary McMillan came to be known as the 'Mother of Physical Therapy'.
Importance: This was one of the first major, still existing, organizations of Physical therapy and was created by a woman.