History of Physical Therapy in 1920s

Historical Milestones in Physical Therapy

• The American Women’s Physical Therapeutic Association changed its name to the American Physiotherapy Association in 1921.
• NYU launched the first Bachelor’s degree program in Physical Therapy in 1941.
• New sections of the APTA, including Sports, Pediatrics, Cardiopulmonary, Obstetrics/Gynecology, Clinical Electrophysiology, Orthopedics, and Geriatrics, were formed in 1995.
• During the 1990s, physical therapy practice expanded into areas such as stroke recovery, orthopedics, cardiopulmonary treatment, and the initiation of 'chest physical therapy' programs began.
• Polio outbreaks during the 1940s and 1950s led to an increase in home care services as rehabilitation needs grew.
• The American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) changed its name from the American Physiotherapy Association in 1947.
• Physical therapy physicians were recognized as a medical specialty in 1997.
• Outpatient physical therapy services were added to Medicare in 1997.
• The first classes of Physical Therapist Assistants (PTAs) graduated and entered the workforce in 1967.
• The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) was passed in 1990, creating new opportunities for physical therapists to work as consultants.
• The Medicare cap on services was eliminated in 2015.
• In 1997, Congress enacted a $1500 cap on Medicare coverage for outpatient physical therapy services.
• All 50 states achieved some form of direct access to physical therapy services by 2014.
• The Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) became the only degree conferred by accredited programs as of 2015.
• The first board specialist exams in cardiopulmonary physical therapy took place in 1991.
• Rehabilitation physicians transitioned from being called 'physiotherapists' to 'physical therapy physicians' in 1991.
• The rise of hospital-based physical therapy practice was significantly influenced by the need for rehabilitation services resulting from the polio epidemic.