History of Physical Therapy

Although using exercise to promote health is not a new idea, the history of modern physical therapy in the United States really began in the 20th century, and is centered around two main events.  In the early 20th century, European methodology of massage and manual muscle manipulation began to be used in the treatment of polio patients in the U.S.. With the rise of the Polio epidemic, therapist began to work on methods of increasing the strength of deconditioned patients and help them retrain their muscles.  

Around this same time practitioners were also faced with soldiers coming back from World War 1. Early versions of physical therapists, known as reconstruction aides, were trained to work on wounded soldiers. Some worked close to the battlefields in France and began early rehabilitation on the injured.  Typically, patients were those with amputated limbs, head injuries, and spinal cord injuries. Later with World War 2, and the increase of modern medicine leading to more soldiers surviving with debilitating injuries, physical therapy started to grow as a practice.

Physical therapy has come a long way since then and is now practiced in a wide array of settings like private practice, hospitals, rehabilitation facilities, nursing homes, and home care groups. Physical therapy is used to treat and manage many different conditions, working with the patient to achieve their goals.

Here at Reddy Care Physical and Occupational therapy, we have state-of-the-art equipment and technology to treat our patients with great results.  To find out more about how physical therapy can help you, give us a call today and get started with a consultation.

Reddy Care Great Neck (Great Neck Physical Therapy): 516-829-0030
Reddy Care Farmingdale (Farmingdale Physical Therapy): 516-420-2900
North Shore Towers: 718-224-8480
Woodbury Physical Therapy: 516-367-1111
In-Home Physical & Occupational Therapy (Home Care): 516-829-0030
*Home therapy servicing Long Island, Queens, Staten Island, Brooklyn, the Bronx & Manhattan

Author

Reddy Care Physical & Occupational Therapy Reddy Care Physical & Occupational Therapy is an outstanding specialty service providing exceptional care and state-of-the-art treatments for the residents of Farmingdale and Great Neck, New York. The combination of innovative exercise programs, manual therapy, and technology together with the expertise of every member of the team enables Reddy Care Physical & Occupational Therapy to provide services that ensure superior clinical outcomes and consistently high patient satisfaction.