Physical Therapy
Physical Therapy dates back to Greek culture and Hippocrates’ influence as the father of Western medicine. In Europe starting in the 1500s to the 1700s exercising to treat muscle and bone disorders and disabilities continued to progress. In the United States in 1916 there was an outbreak of polio this epidemic became widespread causing a need for muscle testing and re-education to restore function. In 1917, the United States entered World War 1 and the need for rehabilitation for injured soldiers grew, so they established a team of “reconstruction aides” to respond to the need for medical workers with expertise in rehabilitation. This was when physical therapy began. In the 1950s physical therapy practice continued to be influenced by war and the polio epidemic, even though a vaccine was now available for polio, people who had it prior to still needed physical therapy treatment. Also in the 1950s the APTA urged state chapters to seek licensure through the states. By 1959, state regulations for the physical therapist existed in 45 states and by 1967 and 1968 the majority of states had licensure laws.
Physical Therapists need a Doctor of Physical Therapy degree, all states requires Physical Therapist to be licensed. There are 218 programs for Physical Therapist accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education that offers this degree. After graduation Physical therapist may apply to and complete a residency program lasting about a year, providing additional training and experience in specialty areas of care. Therapist who completes their residency have the opportunity to specialize further in an advance clinical area. As stated earlier all states require physical therapist to be licensed and licensing requirements varies state to state but all include passing the National Physical Therapy Examination administered by the