October: Celebrating National Physical Therapy Month
By: Kelsie Mazur, DPT
October has always been my favorite! Not only for binging all of the horror movies and eating candy corn, but October also happens to be National Physical Therapy Month! This week's blog is a different one: I would like to briefly charm you on the history and origin of physical therapy.
Physical therapy has a rich history that dates back thousands of years. The ancient Greeks and Romans utilized techniques resembling physical therapy, emphasizing the importance of movement, the value of exercise, manual therapy, and hydrotherapy in treating injuries and improving overall health.
However, modern physical therapy truly began to take shape in the early 20th century. Following World War I, there was a significant need for rehabilitation services for injured soldiers. This led to the establishment of formal physical therapy practices, as healthcare professionals recognized the critical role of movement in recovery.
One of the key figures in the development of physical therapy as a recognized profession was Mary McMillan, often referred to as the “mother of physical therapy.” Mary was the first physical therapy aide sworn into the US army in World War I, making her the first physical therapist in the USA! WOO HOO! She started her work as a physical therapist working with Polio patients, which is ironic since post-polio syndrome is still being treated in Neuro PT clinics to date. In 1918, she established the first school for physical therapy in the United States. Her passion for helping others and her dedication to the principles of rehabilitation set the foundation for the profession we know today.
Since those early days, physical therapy has evolved significantly and now encompasses ten different specialties… you heard that right TEN! You can find physical therapy in a variety of settings: schools, nursing facilities, hospitals, professional sports teams, the military, dance companies like Joffrey ballet, and of course Wattage.
As we honor National Physical Therapy Month, let’s take a moment to appreciate the transformative impact of physical therapy. From helping patients recover from surgery to enhancing mobility in everyday life, physical therapists play an essential role in everyone’s health and wellness.
Join us this month in celebrating the history, evolution, and future of physical therapy! We invite you to share your experiences with us, whether you’re a patient or a practitioner. Together, let’s continue to promote the healing power of movement.
Did you know?: We offer free 1-on-1 injury screens. Wattage Physical Therapy will take an in depth look at your ergonomics, posture, muscle tone, muscle weaknesses, and movement patterns to create a plan for YOU. If this article intrigues you, you can directly email me at Kelsie@wattagept.com. I would be happy to help you start the process of living a life free from pain.