From Physics to Physical Therapy

By: Tori Brack

Physics: the basic physical science...Physics can, at base, be defined as the science of matter, motion, and energy

Physical Therapy: the treatment of disease, injury, or deformity by physical methods such as massage, hydrotherapy, and exercise rather than by drugs or surgery.


Galenus and Hippocrates are believed to be the first physical therapists in 480 BC. However, Pehr Henrik Ling was the first documented one in 1813 in Sweden. 


-hydrotherapy  -massage  -manual therapy



Some ways today's patients are treated:

-Resistance bands



Resistance bands force you to go against gravity, use resistance, and Newton's Law of Motion.

Hydrotherapy takes thermal energy and changes it into chemical energy in your body causing natural healing.

Electrotherapy takes electrical therapy and changes it into chemical energy through electrical pulses promoting natural healing inside the body.

All of this is physics. Physics is in almost everything!


Physical Therapists work in many places not just hospitals....

Physical therapists set out a plan for treatment for their patients after they measure range of motion, strength, flexibility, balance, coordination, and muscle function.