History of Physiotherapy: 5000 years of pain reduction and injury/illness rehabilitation

While physiotherapy clinics are a fairly modern development, the specific practice of physiotherapy goes far back in time. In reality, physiotherapy as a treatment is significantly older than the Great Pyramids of Egypt!

For those of us who have been involved in an accident or have discomfort, physiotherapy is a contemporary health and wellness practice. However physiotherapy all started way back in China! Here’s the way the practice developed over time:

3000 BC: The application of joint manipulation and massage to alleviate discomfort is first documented in China around 3000 BC

460-370 BC: In Ancient Greece, Hippocrates of Kos, one of the earliest physicians uses techniques of massage for the first time

460 BC: The famous Trojan Hector uses a type of physiotherapy called hydrotherapy (or water therapy)

1894: In the U.K., a specific branch of nursing is set up for physiotherapy with their own chartered organization

1913: First use of physiotherapy established in New Zealand

1914: First physiotherapy practice established in the U. S.

1921: First physiotherapy research study is printed in the U. S.

1921: The American Physical Therapy Association is established by Mary McMillan. This group later turned into the most influential organisation in the American history of physiotherapy.

1924: Physiotherapy reaches a important milestone with its application to the treatment of polio. The Georgia Warm Springs Foundation became first to implement physiotherapy treatments and approaches to deal with the ever-growing epidemic of polio.

1950: Great Britain introduces chiropractic manipulations and global use followed. The application of orthopedic specializations as part of physiotherapy also appears

1950s/60s: Birth of the International Federation of Orthopaedic Manipulative Therapy. The 1st influential physiotherapists make their mark: Mariano Rocabado, Freddy Kaltenborn, from Norway and Geoffrey Maitland of Australia — a physiotherapy coaching trailblazer

1980s: Computers and new technology revolutionizes physiotherapy techniques, including ultrasound, electric stimulation, and other tools

1990s: Manual therapies re-emerge as most preferred techniques utilized by practitioners

2000 +: New methodologies, niche specialties and fresh applications to fix different sicknesses continue to appear and grow as the practice of physiotherapy gains more and more respect –and a wide fan base among patients and health advocates –around the world.

Frank Giambagno, president, MedRehab Group invites you to discover more about physiotherapy treatment and rehabilitation techniques.

categories: Physiotherapy,Physiotherapy Canada,Toronto Physiotherapy Clinics