physiotherapy

The history of physiotherapy – Where it started and what it can do for you

Whether you are recovering from an injury, want to improve your mobility, or want an added benefit while playing sports, physio Wembley is probably something you have thought of.

Physiotherapy is an ancient way of keeping you healthy and limber.

It goes way back in time.

Read on to learn the history of physiotherapy, why you should see a physio Perth, and how to find the best one.

The history of physiotherapy

Physiotherapy has been around, in some form, for thousands of years.

The earliest recorded form of physiotherapy was from China around 1000 BC.

At this time it was called Cong Fu.

Cong Fu was an exercise used to correct positioning of the body and improve breathing.

During this time, people in India were also known to use exercises and types of massage to improve and treat arthritis.

In Ancient Greece around 500 BC Herodicus, who was a physician, talked about exercises known as Ars Gymnastica.

This was also known as The Art of Gymnastics.

It included wrestling, walking, and weight lifting to improve conditions that caused fevers like infections and colds.

Hippocrates, the Greek physician regarded as the father of medicine, emphasised exercising to improve physical strength in 460 BC.

During the same time, hydrotherapy was employed, and Aristotle recommended massage with oil to relieve tiredness.

As 180 BC came around, the Romans used a form of gymnastics to improve physical strength.

Throughout the 1500s to 1700s physiotherapy was introduced, promoting exercises.

Several books were written to promote physiotherapy. 

In 1813 the actual word, physiotherapy, was introduced by a Swedish poet.

Physiotherapy later spread throughout Europe and America.

The exercises for this form of physiotherapy typically required you to be a gymnast to do until 1864, when a Swedish doctor invented exercise machines to help patients.

The first school classes were introduced in 1913 at the University of Otago in New Zealand and 1914 in the United States to teach ‘reconstitution aides’.

Benefits for all

Physiotherapy is beneficial for people of all ages and abilities. 

It can help cure and treat ailments like MS, heart and lung issues, injuries, recovery from surgery, and mobility issues or developmental delays in children.

It cannot be defined with a simple list of activities, but includes massage, exercise, hydrotherapy, and other forms of treatment.

People who play sports find that physiotherapy helps keep them limber and healthy — it improves their game and teaches them how to stay fit.

Stroke, Parkinson’s disease, and cancer patients also benefit from physiotherapy.

You do not have to see a doctor to get physiotherapy, but doctors, health care providers, and physiotherapists do work together to help patients.

Finding the best therapist

When you are looking for someone to provide physio Wembley, do your research to find the best therapist for you.

Ask family, friends, neighbours, your coach, or your doctor who they would recommend.

Look online for places to get physiotherapy.

Ensure they are properly licensed, insured, trained, and registered.

Talk to the physio Perth about your ailments, needs, or symptoms, and what they can do to help you.

In conclusion, physiotherapy has been around in some form, since at least 1000 BC, and can help to keep you healthy and functioning properly.

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