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Physical Therapy

Also Known As Physiotherapy
Physical Rehabilitation Therapy
Physical Therapy

Physical therapy treats injury, disability and disease through physical means, chiefly therapeutic exercise, manual manipulation and modalities such as heat and hydrotherapy. Its practices have ancient antecedents, commonly traced to Hippocrates, who is described as advocating massage and hydrotherapy, and later to Galen; therapeutic exercise and manipulation continued in various forms for centuries afterward. The modern profession dates to the First World War, when a shortage of physicians treating mass battlefield casualties led the United States Army to open the first school of physical therapy at Walter Reed Army Hospital and to train women as Reconstruction Aides, the term used for the role from 1918 onward. This atlas describes the history of the treatment and is not medical advice.

Facts
Disputed
Origin Year
1918 1
Professional physical therapy is dated here to 1918, when the term Reconstruction Aide came into use for the wartime role trained at Walter Reed Army Hospital; the underlying practices of therapeutic exercise and manipulation are ancient and cannot be assigned a single origin year, and Britain's Chartered Society of Physiotherapy, founded 1894, predates the American wartime program.
Classification
Status
Standard of Care 1
Physical Therapy
Filter Results12 entries
FAQs

What do physical therapists do besides prescribe exercise?

Besides exercise they use manual therapy and manipulation as well as traction devices and heat or cold.

According to the source, management commonly includes exercises, manual therapy and bodily manipulation, and also mechanical devices such as traction, education, electrophysical modalities (heat, cold, electricity, sound waves and radiation), assistive devices, prostheses and orthoses. Physical therapists also work with people to prevent the loss of mobility before it occurs, by developing fitness and wellness-oriented programs. This atlas describes the history of the treatment and is not medical advice.
Connections

Long-Form Articles

Treated By

Source Laurence-Moon Syndrome (NORD Rare Disease Database)

Treats

Source National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD): Adult polyglucosan body disease (NORD Rare Disease Database)

Physical therapy is standard supportive care to maintain function in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.

Arthritis, Conditions
Source WikipediaWikipedia contributors
Additional Source Physical Therapy (Wikipedia)Lead section

Physical therapy is standard supportive treatment to maintain mobility in Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease.

Physical therapy is standard supportive treatment to strengthen joints in Ehlers-Danlos syndrome.

Physical therapy is standard first-line treatment to restore range of motion in frozen shoulder.

Source National Organization for Rare Disorders: Koolen-de Vries Syndrome (NORD Rare Disease Database)
Source National Organization for Rare Disorders: Mucolipidosis IV

Physical therapy is standard supportive treatment to maintain mobility and function in muscular dystrophy.

Physical therapy is standard supportive treatment for peripheral neuropathy.

Physical therapy is standard rehabilitative treatment following traumatic brain injury.

Sources
1. Wikipedia
Wikipedia contributors, Wikimedia Foundation
Physical Therapy (Wikipedia)
Wikipedia
  • Lead section
    Physical therapy (PT), also known as physiotherapy, is a healthcare profession, as well as the care provided by physical therapists.
  • https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Physical_therapy, lead section
    Physical therapy (PT), also known as physiotherapy, is a healthcare profession, as well as the care provided by physical therapists.
  • Lead, first sentence
    Physical therapy (PT), also known as physiotherapy, is a healthcare profession, as well as the care provided by physical therapists.
  • In Group: Exercise and Manual Rehabilitation Methods, Introduction
    Physical therapy (PT), also known as physiotherapy, is a healthcare profession, as well as the care provided by physical therapists.
View the Source
National Organization for Rare Disorders: Mucolipidosis IV
National Organization for Rare DisordersTreats: Mucolipidosis type IV, Treatment
Quote, Treats: Mucolipidosis type IV, Treatment
Intense physical, occupational and speech therapy are also of benefit.
View the Source
National Organization for Rare Disorders: Koolen-de Vries Syndrome (NORD Rare Disease Database)
National Organization for Rare DisordersTreats: Koolen-de Vries syndrome, Standard Therapies, Treatment
Quote, Treats: Koolen-de Vries syndrome, Standard Therapies, Treatment
Early intervention programs, including physical, occupational and speech therapy can address developmental delays.
View the Source
National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD): Adult polyglucosan body disease (NORD Rare Disease Database)
National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD)Treats: Adult polyglucosan body disease, Standard Therapies
Quote, Treats: Adult polyglucosan body disease, Standard Therapies
Physical and occupational therapy is of benefit for some affected individuals.
View the Source
Laurence-Moon Syndrome (NORD Rare Disease Database)
Treated By: Laurence-Moon syndrome, Standard Therapies, Treatment
Quote, Treated By: Laurence-Moon syndrome, Standard Therapies, Treatment
Physical therapy aimed towards improving strength and agility is key.
View the Source
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