History of Physical Therapy

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History of Physical Therapy
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The History of Physical Therapy

• The 1996 APTA Presidential Address
• Three Quarters of a Century of Healing the
  Generations

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History of Physical Therapy

• World War I (1917) Division of Special Hospitals
  Physical Reconstruction established by US
  Surgeon Generals Office trained Reconstruction
  Aids
• Polio Epidemic (1907 through 1955)
• Medicare Medicaid Legislation (1965)
• Physical Therapist Assistant Programs (1967)
• Balanced Budget Act of 1997

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History of APTA

• APTA Historical Perspective
• http//www.apta.org/AM/Template.cfm?SectionAbout_
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History of APTA

• American Womens Physical Therapeutic Association
  (1921)
• Mary McMillan
• Original Code of Ethics (obedience to the MD)
• Accreditation of Entry-level programs (1970s)
• Specialization (1970s)
• Vision 2020
• Governance House of Delegates

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What is Physical Therapy?

• Providing services to people populations
• Develop, maintain restore
• Movement and functional ability
• Throughout the lifespan
• Aging, injury or disease
• Maximizing movement potential
• Promotion, prevention, treatment and
  rehabilitation
• Interaction, with patients, clients, families,
  and caregivers to establish agreed upon goals

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Who Are Physical Therapists?

• Health care professionals
• Evaluate joint motion, muscle strength and
  endurance, function of heart and lungs, ADL,
  etc.
• Treat using therapeutic exercise, cardiovascular
  endurance training, and training in ADL
• Practice in acute or sub-acute, private PT
  offices, community health centers, industrial
  health centers, sports facilities, rehabilitation
  centers, nursing homes, home health agencies,
  schools, pediatric centers, research
  institutions, colleges and universities.

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The Scope of Physical Therapy

• Promoting the health well being of the
  individual and the general public/society
• Preventing impairments, functional limitations,
  and disabilities in individuals at risk
• Providing interventions to restore integrity of
  body systems essential to movement
• Maximize function recuperation
• Minimize incapacity
• Enhance quality of life

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The Physical Therapist Assistant

• Graduate of an accredited PTA program
• Assist the physical therapist
• Problem solvers
• Highly skilled

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PTA Scope of Practice

• APTA Position Paper Direction and Supervision of
  the Physical Therapist Assistant
• http//www.apta.org/AM/Template.cfm?SectionHome
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