Introduction to Physical Therapy

• Physical therapy has a long history, beginning with the Hippocratics, who wrote about the medical use of exercise, mobilization, and massage.
• Physical therapy was first used by the Chinese around 3000 BC.
• In 460 BC, Hippocrates described massage and it was later modified by the Romans.
• Per Henrik Ling, the Father of Swedish Gymnastics, placed massage on a scientific basis.
• Dr. Weir Mitchel and Dr. Douglas Graham added to the scientific rationale of massage.
• Robert Lovett, a type of muscle education that does not require mechanical assistance, was developed by Robert Lovett.
• Mechanotherapy, a type of muscle education that requires mechanical assistance, was developed by Jonas Gustav Zander.
• Hydrotherapy/Aquatherapy, practiced by the Greeks and Romans through the use of baths and river worship, was commonly done in India, Egypt and China.
• The Philippine Physical Therapy Association (PPTA) was accredited by the Professional Regulation Commission as a national organization for physical therapists on May 31, 1978.
• The first registry and licensing examinations for physical therapists in the Philippines were held in June 1973.
• House Bill 9216, also known as the Proposed Philippine PT Law, was passed on its Final Reading in 2021.
• The redefinition of the Physical Therapy profession was achieved through the amendment of RA 5680 in 1999.
• Presidential Proclamation No. 15 declared September 8 as National Physical Therapy Day in 1998.
• In 1920, Physiotherapy was developed, which made use of water in its different forms (e.g. ice, steam, liquid).
• The Whirlpool Technique, also known as the Hubber Tank, is a type of hydrotherapy.
• Electrotherapy, which involves the use of electrical stimulation, was first discovered by Thales of Miletus in 641 BC.
• Anthero stepped on a torpedo (electrified fish), this incident cured his gout.
• Dr. Gilbert Colchester wrote the book; De Magnete, which made use of amber and sulfur.
• John Wesley wrote a book on electrotherapy.
• In 1749, Benjamin Franklin was struck by lightning.
• George William Richman died trying to copy Benjamin’s experiment.
• Luigi Galvani discovered Galvanic Current and Alessandro Volta served an explanation in 1793.
• Michael Faraday discovered Faradism, which is also known as Electromagnetic Induction, and developed Faradic Current.
• Jacques D’ Arsonval developed the Galvanometer.
• Artificial light is used for treatment in Phototherapy, also known as Light Therapy or Heliotherapy.
• John Harvey Kellogg and Neils Finsen are notable people for this type of therapy.
• Mandaluyong General Hospital, later known as National Orthopedic Hospital, was established in 1948 and progress on the field of Physical Therapy was hastened.
• A section of Radiology and Physiotherapy was formed in the Philippines post liberation years.
• Dr. Paulino Garcia was the first section chief at both UST Medical School and Hospital.
• The first Physical Therapy Department in the Philippines was established at the University of Santo Tomas in 1908.
• The PPTA aided in the creation of Republic Act 5680, otherwise known as the “Philippine Physical Therapy and Occupational Therapy Law”.
• San Juan de Dios Hospital was the first hospital with a PT Department in the Philippines.
• In 1916, Physiotherapy and Radiography was added in the curriculum of the UST Faculty of Medicine and Surgery.
• A School of Physical Therapy was established in the Philippines on December 8, 1964.
• The first Physical Therapy Department in the US was established at Temple University Hospital in Philadelphia in 1929 and was established by Dr. Frank H. Krusen.
• Dr. Henry Kessler was sent and made proposals for the speedy development of rehabilitative care.
• The Philippine government requested for the establishment of a school for the training of PTs and OTs in 1962.
• The Philippine Physical Therapy Association (PPTA) was formed on May 24, 1967 and acquired membership in the World Confederation for Physical Therapy and became a founding member of the Asian Confederation for Physical Therapy on June 21, 1969.
• The American College of Radiology and Physiotherapy became the American College of Physiotherapy in October 1925.
• In 1956, the Philippine government requested for a UN’s consultant to survey the status of rehabilitation work in the Philippines.