History
Who are physical therapists?
Physical therapists specialize in anatomy and physiology. They are experts in the musculoskeletal system and in understanding how movement, posture, and function affect the wellness of an individual. A therapist’s goal is to promote healthy, pain-free activities that maximize productivity and enjoyment in both work and recreation. Physical therapists promote healing by reducing pain and inflammation, by increasing range of motion and strength, and by improving posture, body awareness, and body mechanics.
PTs must have a graduate degree from an accredited physical therapy program before taking the national licensure examination. The minimum educational requirement is a Master’s degree, yet most educational programs now offer a Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) degree. Licensure is required in each state, as is continuing education, to ensure that PTs are consistently advancing themselves and the profession.
History of Physical Therapy
While physical therapy can trace roots to ancient times, contemporary PT evolved around two major 20th century events – the poliomyelitis epidemics and the effects of both World Wars. During WWI, physical therapists, then called “reconstruction aides,” were responsible for caring for those wounded in the line of duty. It wasn’t until 1921 that the American Women’s Physical Therapy Association was formed. With the beginning of World War II and a nationwide polio epidemic during the 1940s and 1950s, physical therapists were in greater demand than ever before.
By the late 1940s the Association had changed its name to the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) and opened its first office in New York City. In addition, sections were created to promote and develop specific objectives of the profession, with the first two sections being School and Private Practice. Today, the APTA represents more than 75,000 members throughout the U.S. Its goal is to foster advancements in physical therapy practice, research, and education. Currently, 180 institutions offer physical therapy education programs, and 236 institutions offer physical therapist assistant education programs in the U.S. alone.
Therapeutic Associates History
TAI was started in the early 1950s by Jim McKillip, PT and Robert Dicus, PT, two of the founders of private practice PT in the country and founding members of the APTA section on Private Practice. Their vision was to help people in safe, caring, and healing environments. Their standards for excellence drive our company to this day.
Our company history dates back more than 50 years, but our mindset is always now and in the future. The goals of our care plans and the objectives of our patient education and therapy interventions are constantly evolving. Every therapist in our organization is subject to a process designed to ensure that not only their healthcare credentials satisfy industry standards, but that they meet our standards of professionalism. We feature an in-house curriculum of continuing education, but we also invest in each therapist’s career development through financial subsidies they can apply to their chosen specialty of care.
We invest in every city and town we serve with unparalleled patient care and so much more. This includes traditionally working with physicians, nurses, case managers, and others involved with our patients. It also means engaging with employers to prevent employee injuries, sharing education through healthcare forums with concerned and inquiring citizens, and participating in community events to assist in the well being of our regions’ workers and our neighbors.
“We are proud of who we are and the positive differences we make in our patients’ lives. Please study our company and get to know how we can improve your quality of life through treatment, employment, or business relationships.”
- Stephen E. Anderson PT, DPT, CEO
History