History of PT and APTA

Question 1

Briefly describe the origin of PT

Answer 1

Exercise therapy dates back to BC. Wasn’t until 1400s that therapy exerises were introduced to Europe.

• Sargeant school 1881 in Boston = 1st modern school of PT
• 1916 = Polio Outbreak (increased need for muscular rehabilitation)
• 1917 - WWI increases the demand for PTs even further
• From there, one group assisted physicians with exercises (PT) while another assisted with vocational work (OT)

Question 2

Who were the major historical influences of PT?

Answer 2

Mary McMillan

• 1918 = served in army for educating rehab aides in emergency war training (mostly women)
• 1921 = 1st meeting of American Women’s Physiotherapeutic Association. 1922 men admitted
• 1928 = Council of Physical Therapy was established as part of the AMA
• 1944 = APTA developed in the House of Delegates

Question 3

What is the new vision of the APTA?

Answer 3

“Transforming society by optimizing movement to improve the human experience.”