World Physiotherapy Day, 8th September 2018
The earliest physiotherapist documented is Per Henrik Ling, the “Father of Swedish Gymnastics” who founded the Royal Central Institute of Gymnastics for massage, manipulation, and exercise in 1813. In Australia, a small group of massage therapists (as known then) from New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia, and Western Australia formed an association in 1906, to protect the general public from untrained and sham practitioners. While the association’s name has changed many times, by developing membership and educational standards, they aimed to ensure high quality therapy for patients. During Work War I, physiotherapy gained public recognition because of the rehabilitation of injured soldiers and in the 1950’s, the profession has contributed and helped many who suffered polio (Poliomyelitis) in Australia.
Today, physiotherapists are widely known to work independently and alongside other health practitioners in a wide range of settings, such as in private and public hospitals, and community health centres. Physiotherapists are helping to diagnose, treat, and prevent a range of health care issues. This also includes the role of physios in mental health issues. Physiotherapists are often involved in helping to provide better outcomes from exercise and achieve activity goals, and also in promoting exercise to help against the emergence of depression. We have dedicated ourselves to be continually educated in the field of physiotherapy, and to specialise, care, and apply the best research-based management to help treat different physical conditions.
In 1996, World Physiotherapy Day was established by the World Confederation of Physical Therapy. This is the profession’s global body representing over 300,000 physiotherapists in 101 countries around the world. Hence, the 8th of September every year is a day that has been set aside to recognise this profession and its contribution to people globally.
We at Excel Physiotherapy and Wellness would like to take this opportunity to raise the awareness about the crucial role that physiotherapists play in making and keeping people in the community well, mobile, and independent; and also to recognise our fellow physiotherapists around the world who are doing the same.