Tag: C20th

Physical Therapy’s Oscar Winning Film

On the 75th anniversary of its production we look back at the profession’s 1949 Oscar winning film. ‘Toward Independence’ is a 1948 American short documentary film about the rehabilitation of military veterans with spinal cord injuries. In 1949, it won an Oscar for Documentary Short Subject at the 21st Academy

Chartered Society of Physiotherapy Council 1997-1999

Great Leaders Create More Leaders

Amongst the many organisations in the history of the world’s physiotherapy profession, none have contributed to the profession so profoundly as the United Kingdom’s Chartered Society of Physiotherapy (CSP).  Founded in 1894 as the Society of Trained Masseuses, the CSP was repeatedly challenged by scandal, patriarchy, war, epidemics and economics

Mildred Elson

The Mother of #GlobalPT

The hashtag #GlobalPT emerged on the social media network Twitter at the World Confederation of Physical Therapy (now World Physiotherapy) Congress in Capetown, South Africa in 2017.  It worked to connect digital commentary and build international camaraderie amongst practitioners, including those who could not be physically present. In this article,

Girls of the Sunlight League

The Sunlight League

Physiotherapist Cora Wilding founded the Sunlight League in New Zealand, was instrumental in establishing the Youth Hostel Association and was one of the most passionate advocates for the physical culture movement. The Physical Culture Movement was a health and fitness movement that began in Europe during the 19th century, spreading

From Aide to Diagnostician: An American Physical Therapy Transformation

How current physical therapists became diagnosticians illuminates the trajectory of the profession and the value we offer. My recent exploration into this American story was recently published as an historical essay in Physical Therapy & Rehabilitation Journal (PTJ). Here, I provide a brief overview of the article. Transformation didn’t occur

International Man of Action

A man, wearing dark glasses, sits front and centre of the audience of the inaugural meeting of the World Confederation for Physical Therapy, held on 8th September 1951 in Copenhagen, Denmark.  He sits upright, leaning forward slightly, his arms resting lightly on his knees with his hands loosely curled, portraying

The “Grandfather” of New Zealand Physiotherapy

In 1921, when the presence of men within the massage profession was still largely frowned upon, Matthew Guinan was the 77th masseur to be registered with the New Zealand Masseurs Registration Board.  His registration was granted under the Board’s amnesty for anyone who had practiced as a masseur in New

Member Malaise in 1921

It is 102 years since the first editions of The P.T. Review were published. A periodical which would become the Journal of Physical Therapy, now PTJ. Taking the time to step back and immerse ourselves in the writings of those who led the formation of the professional association; that would

The Greenlane Rocker Bed

The image of the Greenlane ‘rocker’ bed will be familiar to generations of physiotherapists who worked at Greenlane Hospital, in Auckland, New Zealand during the 1950s, 60s and 70s. Originally much smaller, the rocker, or tipping bed, was designed by the parents of a girl with bronchiectasis who was being

Reflections on two unique and great women who served as presidents of the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy.

Baroness Boothroyd and Baroness Masham who both died during the early months of this year were unique and great women who achieved and gave so much to Chartered Society of Physiotherapy (CSP).   The CSP was fortunate to benefit from their commitment, expertise and advocacy as Presidents and figureheads. Baroness

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