History of Physical Therapy Practice in the United States, The

Journal of Physical Therapy Education, Winter 2003 by Moffat, Marilyn

While the profession was originally composed of women and the association was established by women and named the AWPTA, in 1922 the association changed its name to the American Physiotherapy Association (APA) in recognition of the fact that men also practiced physiotherapy. There were a few male reconstruction aides who helped during the war effort in 1919.6

The poliomyelitis epidemics continued to rage throughout the country during the early 1920s. In August 1921, at the age of 39 years, Franklin Delano Roosevelt, who had been the Democratic Party's Vice-Presidential candidate in 1920 and who would later become President of the United States in 1933, contracted a severe case of poliomyelitis. The attack left him unable to walk without the assistance of a cane and lower-extremity long leg braces. The Meriwether Inn in Georgia was reported to have waters that might cure paralysis. In an attempt to help alleviate his disability, Roosevelt arrived at a cottage and began to swim in the warm waters. An article titled "Franklin D Roosevelt Will Swim to Health" appeared in the Atlanta Journal and chronicled Roosevelt's rehabilitation at the Inn. The article led many people with poliomyelitis and their families to Georgia Warm Springs for their therapeutic effects.7 Roosevelt bought Georgia Warm Springs in 1925 and proceeded to renovate and expand the facilities to provide a treatment center for those with poliomyelitis.7 The next year he established the Georgia Warm Springs Foundation, which in 1937 became the National Foundation for Infantile Paralysis and one of the major supporters of the physical therapy profession. The Georgia Warm Springs Foundation, a nonprofit organization, served as a focal point to generate public interest in poliomyelitis and in the physical rehabilitation of patients with poliomyelitis. The Foundation raised millions of dollars for the treatment of patients with poliomyelitis and for much needed poliomyelitis-related research.

Between 1930 and 1940, the United States saw an increase in the both the incidence and the magnitude of poliomyelitis outbreaks. Between May and November 1934, approximately 2,500 cases of poliomyelitis (almost 50 new cases a day) were treated at the Los Angeles County General Hospital alone.1 Physical therapy treatment continued to be centered around the use of exercises, massage, hydrotherapeutic modalities, heat and light modalities, and assistivc and adaptive equipment. Home care evolved during this time as therapists provided their skills in rural homes, adapted equipment for patients, and provided braces and splints. In 1938, the "March of Dimes" coin collection was inaugurated by the National Foundation for Infantile Paralysis. It became a highly recognized and widely supported program across the country as the nation hoped to find a cure for poliomyelitis. The National Foundation for Infantile Paralysis also began distributing funds at the local level for various programs related to poliomyelitis

In addition to the treatment of poliomyelitis, the late 1930s physical therapy practice continued to be dominated by the treatment of wounded World War II veterans. During this time, federal legislation recognized women physiotherapists as members of the Army Medical Department, which prior to that time had only recognized men.