A Brief History of Physiotherapy

In honour of National Physiotherapy Month, here’s a little history on how physiotherapy came to be what it is today. 

Physiotherapy Began With The Ancient Greeks

Believe it or not, physiotherapy dates back to 460 B.C!  While they weren’t using the term 'physiotherapy' quite yet, physicians like Hippocrates and Galen used and promoted treatments such as massage, manual therapy, and hydrotherapy to treat their patients.  These treatments are still part of the core elements that make up physiotherapy today.  Our physiotherapists at Motion Works Stittsville use manual therapy, and massage to treat their clients everyday!

How Physiotherapy Developed Over The Years

The next evolution of physiotherapy was during the eighteenth century, when orthopaedics was developed.  This was tied to the rise of gymnastics, and physician recommendations for exercise to treat various ailments.  The first documentation of what we know as physiotherapy today, is considered the Royal Central Institute of Gymnastics, in Sweden 1813.  They promoted and used massage, manipulation, and exercise to treat patients, and were recognized by the Sweden National Board of Health and Welfare.  By the early 1900s, Britain and the United States had followed suit in their support and work in physiotherapy, creating their own organizations dedicated to the use and advocation for physiotherapy in health care. 

Physiotherapy Today

By the mid-1900s, physiotherapy was being researched more and more, and had begun to expand outside of purely being used by physicians and hospitals.  In 1974, the creation of the Orthopaedic Section of the American Physical Therapy Association, and the International Federation of Orthopaedic Manipulative Therapy cemented physiotherapy in the health care world as it is today, and has allowed for the advancement in the field to continue to expand.

Today, with the advancement in research, physiotherapy has been able to create specialized treatments in various fields including, but not limited to:

• Sports Medicine
• Paediatrics
• The elderly
• Vestibular and Concussion Treatment
• Rehabilitation 
• Pelvic Health

Our physiotherapists at Motion Works Physiotherapy Stittsville are dedicated to continuing their education and advancements in physiotherapy.  We believe in offering the most up to date care and treatments for our clients, whether it be for the general population, or a specialized training for specific conditions.

Reference:

“Physiotherapy / Physical Therapy.” Physiopedia, www.physio-pedia.com/Physiotherapy_/_Physical_Therapy.