American Physical Therapy Association

Last updated
American Physical Therapy Association
Formation1921
Type Professional association
Headquarters Alexandria, Virginia, US
Location
  • United States
Membership
>100,000 (as of 2023)
Official language
English
President
Roger Herr, PT, MPA
Key people
CEO: Justin Moore, PT, DPT
Staff
180
Website https://www.apta.org/

The American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) is an American individual membership professional organization representing more than 100,000 member physical therapists, physical therapist assistants, and students of physical therapy. The nonprofit association, based in Alexandria, Virginia, seeks to improve the health and quality of life of individuals in society by advancing physical therapist practice, education, and research, and by increasing the awareness and understanding of physical therapy's role in the nation's health care system. [1]

Contents

APTA annually holds two large conferences and publishes the Physical Therapy & Rehabilitation Journal, the leading international journal for research in physical therapy and related fields, [2] and APTA Magazine, a professional issues magazine providing legislative, health care, human interest, and association news. [3]

APTA also advocates on behalf of the profession and for issues which impact the health and well being of society such as funding for health research and for an adequate health care workforce. It lobbies for health care reform to improve access to health care. [4]

History

APTA originally formed in 1921 as the American Women's Physical Therapeutic Association. The association was first led by President Mary McMillan, and an executive committee of elected officers governed the Association, which included 274 charter members. In 1922, the association changed its name to the American Physiotherapy Association. In 1923 the first two men were admitted into the American Physiotherapy Association. Membership grew to just under 1,000 in the late 1930s. [5]

With the advent of World War II and a nationwide polio epidemic during the 1940s and 1950s, physical therapists were in greater demand. The Association's membership swelled to 8,000, and the number of physical therapy education programs across the U.S. increased from 16 to 39.

During the mid-1940s, the association adopted its current name, hired a full-time staff, and opened its first national office in New York City. A House of Delegates representing chapter members was established to set policies. The House elected a board of directors, previously the Executive Committee, to manage the association. In addition, sections were created to promote and develop specific objectives of the profession. Among the early sections were Schools (now the Academy of Physical Therapy Education) and Self-Employed (now APTA Private Practice). [6] [7] In the 1960s, APTA membership reached 15,000, and the number of education programs nationwide grew to 52. As of the end of 2022, 294 institutions offer physical therapy education programs and 396 institutions offer physical therapist assistant education programs in the United States. These numbers will change significantly in the coming years to encompass 48 developing PT programs and 29 developing PTA programs. [8]

Combined Sections Meeting

In 1976, the association launched an annual Combined Sections Meeting, informally known as "CSM," that is attended by physical therapists from around the United States. The name was selected because all of the sections of APTA meet at this time. [9]

Previous and future CSM meetings

Year [10] DatesVenue
2015February 47 Indianapolis, IN
2016February 1720 Anaheim, CA
2017February 1518 San Antonio, TX
2018February 2128 New Orleans, LA
2019January 2326 Washington, DC
2020February 1215 Denver, CO
2021February 2427 Orlando, FL
2022February 14 San Antonio, TX
2023February 2225 San Diego, CA
2024February 1417 Boston, MA
2025February 1315 Houston, TX

Chapters and Academies/Sections

APTA has chapters in most U.S. states as well as academies/sections covering special interests. Academies/Sections cover: [11]

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Physical therapy</span> Profession that helps a disabled person function in everyday life

Physical therapy (PT), also known as physiotherapy, is a healthcare profession, as well as the care provided by physical therapists who promote, maintain, or restore health through patient education, physical intervention, disease prevention, and health promotion. Physical therapist is the term used for such professionals in the United States, and physiotherapist is the term used in many other countries.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Respiratory therapist</span> Practitioner in cardio-pulmonary medicine

A respiratory therapist is a specialized healthcare practitioner trained in critical care and cardio-pulmonary medicine in order to work therapeutically with people who have acute critical conditions, cardiac and pulmonary disease. Respiratory therapists graduate from a college or university with a degree in respiratory therapy and have passed a national board certifying examination. The NBRC is responsible for credentialing as a CRT, or RRT,

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Occupational therapy</span> Healthcare profession

Occupational therapy (OT) is a healthcare prof that involves the use of assessment, intervention, consultation, and coaching to develop, recover, or maintain meaningful occupations of individuals, groups, or communities. The field of OT consists of health care practitioners trained and educated to support mental health and physical performance. Occupational therapists specialize in teaching, educating, and supporting participation in activities that occupy an individual's time. It is an independent health profession sometimes categorized as an allied health profession and consists of occupational therapists (OTs) and occupational therapy assistants (OTAs). OTs and OTAs have different roles, with OTs licensed to complete comprehensive occupational therapy evaluations. Both professionals work with people who want to improve their ability to participate in meaningful occupations.

Manual therapy, or manipulative therapy, is a part of Physiotherapy, it is a physical treatment primarily used by physical therapists, occupational therapists to treat musculoskeletal pain and disability; it mostly includes kneading and manipulation of muscles, joint mobilization and joint manipulation. It is also used by Rolfers, massage therapists, athletic trainers, osteopaths, and physicians.

A Doctor of Physical Therapy or Doctor of Physiotherapy (DPT) degree is a qualifying degree in physical therapy. In the United States, it is considered a graduate-level first professional degree or doctorate degree for professional practice. In the United Kingdom, the training includes advanced professional training and doctoral-level research.

The Master of Physical Therapy is a post baccalaureate degree conferred upon successful completion of an accredited physical therapy professional education program.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Samuel Merritt University</span> University in Oakland, California

Samuel Merritt University (SMU) is a private university focused on health sciences with its main campus in Oakland, California, and other facilities in Sacramento, San Mateo and Fresno. It was an affiliate of the Sutter Health Network and Alta Bates Summit Medical Center until becoming a wholly independent institution in January, 2022, upon its disaffiliation from Sutter Health. It is the only provider of physical therapists, occupational therapists, and physician assistants and is the largest source of nurses in the greater East Bay. Formerly known as Samuel Merritt College, it was founded in 1909 as a hospital school of nursing. Today, it stands as a comprehensive health sciences university, encompassing three colleges: College of Nursing, College of Health Sciences, and College of Podiatric Medicine

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Equine-assisted therapy</span> Physical or mental therapy using horses

Equine-assisted therapy (EAT) encompasses a range of treatments that involve activities with horses and other equines to promote human physical and mental health. Modern use of horses for mental health treatment dates to the 1990s. Systematic review of studies of EAT as applied to physical health date only to about 2007, and a lack of common terminology and standardization has caused problems with meta-analysis. Due to a lack of high-quality studies assessing the efficacy of equine-assisted therapies for mental health treatment, concerns have been raised that these therapies should not replace or divert resources from other evidence-based mental health therapies. The existing body of evidence does not justify the promotion and use of equine-related treatments for mental disorders.

Aquatic therapy refers to treatments and exercises performed in water for relaxation, fitness, physical rehabilitation, and other therapeutic benefit. Typically a qualified aquatic therapist gives constant attendance to a person receiving treatment in a heated therapy pool. Aquatic therapy techniques include Ai Chi, Aqua Running, Bad Ragaz Ring Method, Burdenko Method, Halliwick, Watsu, and other aquatic bodywork forms. Therapeutic applications include neurological disorders, spine pain, musculoskeletal pain, postoperative orthopedic rehabilitation, pediatric disabilities, pressure ulcers, and disease conditions, such as osteoporosis.

The Nigeria Society of Physiotherapy (NSP) is the national professional association representing Nigerian-trained physiotherapists as well as foreign-trained physiotherapists practicing in Nigeria. The society was inaugurated on 29 August 1959 at a meeting held the Physiotherapy Department of the University College Hospital, Ibadan by a group of Nigerian and British Physiotherapists.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fox College</span>

Fox College is a Private for-profit college with its main campus in Tinley Park, Illinois. It originally was founded in 1932, and most students come from the Chicago area. Fox College awards associate degrees.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Physical therapy education</span> Patient care by country

Physical therapy education varies greatly from country to country. Worldwide, physical therapy training ranges from basic work site education in hospitals and outpatient clinics to professional doctoral degree and masters programs.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">American Association for Respiratory Care</span> American professional organization

The American Association for Respiratory Care (AARC) is a non profit organization and is the only professional organization supporting Respiratory Care in the United States. In addition to attempting to help lobby for beneficial legislation nationally and locally, the AARC is trying to promote the profession as a whole to increase interest and membership. The AARC began in 1943, as the Inhalation Technician Association and has evolved rapidly and repeatedly since.

David F. Levine is an American author, a professor of physical therapy, and a biomedical scientist. He holds the Walter M. Cline Chair of Excellence in Physical Therapy at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. His research and publication contributions focus on veterinary rehabilitation and physical therapy, including canine physical therapy, animal assisted therapy, gait analysis and motion analysis, the use of modalities such as extracorporeal shockwave therapy, electrical stimulation, and therapeutic ultrasound, as well as clinical infectious disease research and Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome research.

Nepal currently only has two physiotherapy programs, available through Kathmandu University and Pokhara University as a bachelor's degree. It is equivalent to four-and-a-half years of full-time study. The minimum level of education to start this program is upper secondary. While there were only around 30 graduates with a Bachelor in Physiotherapy degree in 2007, the total number of graduates have now proliferated over the years. In 2022, several Nepalese physiotherapists have now completed PhD from reputed universities around the globe. Nepal also has a three year Certificate level Physiotherapy degree which produces Physiotherapy Assistant who have limited scope of practice to Physiotherapists with a Bachelor or Master degree.

Sarah Elizabeth Lamb is the Pro-Vice-Chancellor and Executive Dean of the Faculty of Health and Life Sciences at the University of Exeter, and the Mireille Gillings Professor for Health Innovation. She is also an Honorary Departmental Professor at the Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford and was the Foundation Director of the Oxford Clinical Trials Research Unit.

Florence May Peterson Kendall was an American physical therapist based in Baltimore, Maryland. She was inducted into the Maryland Women's Hall of Fame in 2002.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">University of Colorado Physical Therapy Program</span> Doctor of Physical Therapy Program in Colorado, USA

The University of Colorado Physical Therapy Program is administered by the Department of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation (PM&R) and the University of Colorado School of Medicine. The program has a focus on research, education, and service related to physical therapy and rehabilitation science. The Residential Doctor of Physical Therapy degree (DPT) Pathway is located at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, and the Hybrid DPT Pathway is located at the University of Colorado Colorado Springs (UCCS).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Elizabeth C. Addoms</span> American physical therapist

Elizabeth Copeland Addoms was an American physical therapist who worked mainly on rehabilitation for children with cerebral palsy. She was director of the physical therapy program at New York University (NYU) from 1946 to 1970.

References

  1. Bellamy, Jason. "About Us". www.apta.org. Retrieved 2018-04-07.
  2. "Physical Therapy | Oxford Academic". OUP Academic. Retrieved 2018-04-07.
  3. "APTA Magazine". www.apta.org. Retrieved 2023-04-18.
  4. Bellamy, Jason. "Advocacy". www.apta.org. Retrieved 2018-04-07.
  5. Neil, Amber. "APTA History". www.apta.org. Retrieved 2018-04-07.
  6. Murphy W. Healing the generations: A history of physical therapy and the American Physical Therapy Association. Alexandria, VA: American Physical Therapy Association; 1995.
  7. Roberts, L, Alex. "Physiotherapie" . Retrieved 19 December 2021.
  8. "Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE)". www.capteonline.org.
  9. Davies E. Midwinter Combined Section Meeting. Phys Ther. 1975; 55(11):1237-1240.
  10. Bowes, Chelsea. "APTA CSM Future Dates". www.apta.org. Retrieved 2023-04-18.
  11. Bowes, Chelsea. "APTA Chapters and Sections/Academies". www.apta.org. Retrieved 2023-04-18.