HISTORY

HISTORYOF
OFPHYSIOTHERAPY
PHYSIOTHERAPY

TODAY AND TOMORROW

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• Lord Shiva is usually known for His third eye.
• The eye which emits flames and burns things
to ashes.
• may be it was the beginning of Lasertherapy.
• From its beginnings “by a small band of
daring young reconstruction Aide
/technicians,” the physical therapy
profession today boasts confident,
accomplished, professional practitioners
on the cutting edge of health care.
• Physical therapy concentrates on the psychological,
physical, emotional and social well being of a person. The
treatment aims to develop, restore and maintain
maximum movement and functional ability. The
treatment was formulated a couple of centuries ago.
• Today, it is undertaken to cure almost every ailment and
injuries related to the bones, muscles and joints. A
person undergoing physiotherapy is guaranteed to find
relief over time. If we go back to the history and origin of
physical therapy, we see that the treatment has been
existence since the ancient period.
• A confluence of events and developments around the world
over centuries of time led to the formal recognition of
physical therapy as a health care profession in the second
decade of the 20th century. The development and use of
the interventions commonly applied by physical therapists
today, including exercise, massage and mobilization of
tissues, heat, cold, water, and electricity,
• dates back to Greek culture and Hippocrates’ influence as
the father of Western medicine. In the 1500s, 1600s, and
1700s in Europe, the use of exercise to treat muscle and
bone disorders and disabilities progressed, and by the 1800s
exercise and muscle re-education were being used for a
variety of orthopedic diseases and injuries
• Physiotherapy dates back to 250 AD, when gold
fish was used for pain relief in gout and
headache cases.
• In prehistoric era, Buddhists and Hindus
recognised "pain as a sensation" but gave
greater importance to its emotional aspects.
• Non-invasive methods were used for pain relief.
• Today's physiotherapists also use non-invasive,
electro-therapy modalities for pain relief.
• A very long time physical culture is used as a
prophylactic and therapeutic agent in various
diseases. 
• Even in ancient times was used for health
promotion exercise, sauna (bath), massage,
hydrotherapy, diet and other means. 
• For example, in ancient India, China and Egypt
bad joint mobility treated by stretching,
massage and water therapy. 
• In ancient Indian surgeon Sushruta in his
practice applies physical exercises, breathing
exercises, as well as massage. 
• yogis have used at least 800 of Asanas and
breathing exercises, most of all - for holding
your breath.
• these exercises are preventive and treat
disease. 
• Chinese doctor  In the book «Cong-fou» (3000 BC) describes
the active, passive and combined exercises and massage. 
• Scientists suggest that preventive medicine is the birth
place of ancient China. 
• Chinese believed the most important aspect of disease
prevention medicine.
• Aphorism is “doctor is not he who heals the sick, BUT he
who prevents the disease" came up with the Chinese. 
• In ancient China, in almost every
province has a medical-school gym,
where trained doctors - taosse "who
knew the technique of therapeutic
exercises and massage are worked
•  Greek surgeon Antilos was the author of works about the
gym. In ancient Rome, usually bodily exercise, massage and
water procedures involved in the baths.  
•   Ancient Egyptian doctors treated rheumatism with
physical exercise, massage, diet,
• Ancient Rome, therapeutic exercise was particularly well
developed. K. Galen used the gym for the treatment and
prevention of diseases of bone and muscular systems.
• In its edition of "The Art of return to health" K. Galen said:
"Thousands and thousands of times I was returning health
to the patient through exercise." 
• The ancient form of modern physical therapy,
or physiotherapy, dates back to 460 BC, when
Hippocrates and Hector used massage and
hydrotherapy (water therapy) to treat their
patients.
•   Abu Ali ibn Sina (Avicenna) in his book "Canon
of Medicine" and "Book of Healing" describes in
detail the treatment and prevention of various
diseases with the help of medical gymnastics,
water treatment, diet, etc.
• In the middle Ages, occupations physiotherapy,
massage and bath has been given too little
attention and they were virtually forgotten.
• In 1573 published the first textbook on gymnastics
Merkuriasa "The Art of Gymnastics".  
• German Dr. F. Hoffmann (1660-1742) developed a very
popular non-standard treatment system which takes a
significant share of the use of rubbing, diet, massage,
physiotherapy, etc.  Convincing his aphorism: "The
movement – is the best treatment for the body."  
• Hoffman wrote a guide, "Mechanotherapy” describes the
principles of massage and medical gymnastics to get rid of
various diseases. 
•   In 1771 published a textbook in two volumes in
orthopedics, which are described in detail gymnastics,
massage, diet, etc.
• In 1780 the published work of Tissot "Medical
gymnastics, or exercise of human organs under
the laws of physiology, hygiene and
therapeutics,
• it sets out descriptions of various physical
exercises, massage (rubbing) as well as their
use for treating all sorts of diseases.  
•  Physical exercise for therapeutic purposes in
Russia began to be used in the 18th century.
• The earliest documented origins of actual
physical therapy as a professional group date
back to Per Henrik Ling, “Father of Swedish
Gymnastics,” who founded the Royal Central
Institute of Gymnastics (RCIG) in 1813 for 
massage, manipulation, and exercise.
• The Swedish word for physical therapist
is sjukgymnast = someone involved in
gymnastics for those who are ill.
• 1864 - the Swede T. Brandt developed a system of
therapeutic exercise and massage to treat patients
with gynecological diseases.
• 1881 - the German Ertel suggested a method of
climbing in mountainous terrain for the treatment
of diseases of the heart and blood vessels. 
• 1884 - Schott developed exercises for heart
patients, which was based on resistance exercises. 
• 1889 - a Swiss doctor Frenkel proposed a set
of compensatory gymnastics for the
treatment of ataxia, paralysis, paresis, and
other diseases of the nervous system. 
(Frenkel’s exs for balance)
• 1887 - PTs were given official registration by
Sweden’s National Board of Health and
Welfare
• However, the actual physical therapy, which
is practiced today, was formulated in 1894,
when a group of four nurses in Great Britain
established the Chartered Society of
Physiotherapy.
• Formal training programs were soon started
by other countries, following the treatment
formulated by the Chartered Society.
• At the beginning of the second half of the 19th
century  Russian doctors have proven
therapeutic effect dose of exercise, so that
GI  Sokolsky, recommending walking as a
therapeutic agent,
• or AI Polunin, declared that exercises not only
trains, strengthens the body and prevents the
development of the disease, but apart from
that it cures the disease
• Development of national science and culture
in the 19th century particularly in the second
half influenced the development of the
science of physical education at promoting
physical methods of treatment, especially
increased interest in medical gymnastics,
massage, Mechano-therapy, hydrotherapy. 
• 1913 - The School of Physiotherapy,
established by the University of Otago in
New Zealand.
• 1914 - Reed College in Portland (Oregon), are
the early examples of the institutions that
taught physical therapy.
•  
• Modern physical therapy was established in Britain
towards the end of the 19th century. Soon following
American orthopedic surgeons began treating
children with disabilities and began employing
women trained in physical education, massage, and
remedial exercise.
• These treatments were applied and promoted
further during the Polio outbreak of 1916.
• When the polio epidemic became widespread in the
United States in 1916, the need for muscle testing
and muscle re-education to restore function grew
dramatically.
• The United States entered World War I by declaring
war on Germany in 1917, and the Army recognized
the need to rehabilitate soldiers injured in the war.
• As a result, a special unit of the Army Medical
Department, the Division of Special Hospitals and
Physical reconstruction developed.
• From 1917 to 1918, the therapy was performed
widely, to cure and restore physical function to
injured soldiers in the World War I. And the field of
physical therapy was institutionalized.
• The treatment was considered as 'rehabilitation
therapy' during that time. The people who were
employed to provide aid to the injured patients were
named 'reconstruction aides'.
• They were trained nurses' who had the knowledge of
physical education and massage therapy
• The first school of physical therapy was established
at Walter Reed Army Hospital in Washington D.C.
following the outbreak of World War I.
• During the 1920s the partnership of physical
therapists with the medical and surgical
communities grew, and the profession of physical
therapy gained public recognition and validation.
• The year 1921 holds significance in the history of
physical therapy.
• A research paper on the therapy was published in
the PT Review, in March 1921, in the United States.
• It was during this time that Mary McMillan, the
first physical therapy aide, established the American
Women's Physical Therapeutic Association.
• The organization's name was later on changed to
the Americn 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'
• 1930s the polio epidemic continued, and the United
States’ involvement in World War II at the end of
the decade resulted in additional wounded soldiers
to rehabilitate
• Wounded veterans who returned home with
amputations, burns, cold injuries, wounds,
fractures, and nerve and spinal cord injuries
required the attention of physical therapists in the
first half of the 1940s, with WW II at its peak.
• In 1946 Congress adopted the Hill Burton Act
to build hospitals across the country and
increase public access to hospitals and health
care facilities.
• This legislative action resulted in an increase
in hospital-based practice for physical
therapists and an increased demand for
physical therapy services.
• Due to the increased need for physical therapists and the
discontinuation of the army based schools after the war,
APTA recognized the need to educate more physical
therapists.
• The Schools Section of APTA made recommendations
about admissions, curricula, education, and administration of
physical therapy programs, and APTA embarked on an effort
to encourage more universities and medical schools to
create programs and expand
existing programs, including creating opportunities for
graduate-level education
• Practice in the 1950s continued to be influenced by
war, as the Korean War began in 1950, and by the
polio epidemic, which continued to rage.
• Research that had been initiated in earnest in the
1940s finally paid off with the development of the
Salk vaccine, eradicating polio in the United States
by the early 1960s
India free from polio in March 27 , 2014
• Although individuals who had contacted polio prior
to the vaccine continued to need physical therapy
treatment, the profession could turn its focus to
the rehabilitation of other disabilities as a result of
the widespread use of the Salk vaccine and the
growth in the availability of physical therapists
• Specialization for physiotherapy (physical
therapy) in the U.S. occurred in 1974, in
orthopedic branch. Research papers were
published
 Indian history
• Physical therapists have been involved with the Indian
Health Service (IHS) since the 1950s
• are classified as “allied health providers.” Physical therapists
provide a full range of culturally sensitive services within
IHS, including community outreach, preventive education,
and athletic programs.
• 1952 - Foundation for physiotherapy profession in India was
laid following a major epidemic of Poliomyelitis in Mumbai.
• 1953 – first Physiotherapy School and centre
at KEM hospital started.
• It was first in south east Asia.
• A joint venture of GOI, Gov of Maharashtra,
Bombay Municipal Corporation with
technical assistance from WHO.
• Mr R,l,Jocques from UK and Mrs Pege Mehta
from USA were deputed by WHO as experts.
• 1953 – 2 years Diploma course in Physiotherapy started at
KEM.
• 1954 – Physiotherapy department started at sayaji hospital,
Baroda.
• 1955 – establishment of IAP
• 1956 – Syllabus and exam pattern changed.
• 1965 – IAP recomposed by WCPT
• 1965 – India- Pakistan war -
• 1966 - Army medical rehabilitation centre at Pune following
war was started.
• 1967 – IAP represented in international congress of
WCPT in Australia.
• 1967 – 2 years degree - B.sc in physical therapy from
Bombay university
• 1968 – 69 – 1st degree college in Gujarat - India -
School of Physiotherapy at Baroda started with
WHO under MS university Baroda with 10 students.
• It is 5th college in India, others at KEM, Nagpur,
valor, Delhi.
• 1977 – 3 years and 6 months internship of
basic degree programme started.
• 1978 - Master degree introduced first time in
India at KEM.
• Nagpur university was first to introduced 4
years and six months internship course
followed by Mumbai and Manipal university.
• 1992 – Intake increased to 28 at MS
University.
• 1992 – 2nd college of physiotherapy in
Gujarat at Ahmadabad civil hospital under
Gujarat university started.
•
• 2006 – 07 - In Gujarat MPT course started at
school of physiotherapy, Gujarat university.
• 2011 – MPT course started at school of
physiotherapy, MS University.
• 1980 - Further development in the field of
physiotherapy was recorded when the use of
computers became prevalent in Medical
Science.
• Various devices, such as electrical
stimulators, were introduced for practicing
physiotherapy, which increased the
effectiveness of the treatment
• Physical therapist practice in the
neuromuscular area developed significantly
during the 1960s, influenced by the work of
Margaret Rood, Margaret Knott, Dorothy
Voss, Signe Brunnström, and Berta and Karl
Bobath, who developed techniques for adults
with stroke, cerebral palsy, and other
disorders of the central nervous system
• The cardiovascular/pulmonary area of practice also
developed during this time, as advancements in
medicine such as open heart surgery became more
commonly practiced.
• In the orthopedic practice arena, total joint
replacements developed in the 1960s created an
additional need for postoperative physical therapy
and introduced new options for patients with
severe joint restrictions to live more independent
and pain-free lives.
• Having relied primarily on exercise, massage,
functional training, water (hot and cold), heat
(heat lamps, paraffin baths, diathermy),
simple electrotherapeutic modalities, and
assistive devices and equipment
(wheelchairs, splints/ braces, ambulatory
aids) to address patient needs up until the
1950s
• physical therapists found new opportunities and
more options to improve patient function with
developments in interventions between 1950 and
2000.
• Technological advances provided new testing
methodologies with more objective outcome
measures, and new intervention methodologies
expanded practice and the types of diseases and
conditions that physical therapy could positively
influence
 Physiotherapy Today
• An independent health care profession for all the age groups
from neonatal to geriatrics.
• The task of early intervention in neonatal cases is taken over
by a physiotherapist, new born babies with birth defects are
evaluated and treated, which helps in minimizing disabilities
and helps in early ambulation.
• Woman's wellness, maintaining healthy lifestyle after
menopause needs attention.  Common problems are: obesity,
Arthritis, incontinence of urine, fatigue, aches & pains in joints
etc
• Pain management in acute & chronic cases is managed by
physiotherapists
• Physiotherapy has spread its wings in all
branches of medical science therefore no
hospital can run without a physiotherapy
department.
• Sports physiotherapy is becoming popular
among the young physiotherapists.
• In fact special post-graduate courses are
conducted by the association, to promote
this new emerging avenue of physiotherapy.
• Industrial physiotherapy deals with
ergonomics and safety measures. Guidance
on work positions etc. is given by
physiotherapists
• Manipulative Therapy is gaining
momentum due to its instant relief in
pain and increase in range of motion.
Special training is required before
practicing this technique
 Physiotherapy Tomorrow
• Moving ahead and looking forward to add life to
years on earth as well as in space.
• There is scope for physiotherapy even in space
where there is a high possibility of gravity related
injury.
• Back pain, muscle strain and headache are common
in space-craft.
• Micro-gravity induces calcium loss from bones. But
assessment of the limbs or back is difficult in space
• The future of physiotherapy for the
astronauts in space is promising.
• Physiotherapists can help "body
positioning", and exercises for micro-
gravity posture
 DIFFERENCE
• Vast difference in physiotherapy practice
abroad and India.
• Funds and facilities
• Ethical practice
• Research
• Documentation
• records
 Thank you
COMING TOGETHER IS BEGINNING
KEEPING TOGETHER IS PROGRESS
WORKING TOGETHER IS SUCCESS
 By HENRY FORD