World Physical Therapy Day is a holiday observed annually on September 8th that raises public awareness about the importance of physical therapy. It also pays homage to physical therapists who work tirelessly to ensure that their patients are on the path to recovery from their physical conditions, ailments, and disabilities.

Also known simply as World PT Day, this holiday encourages students who are trying to determine their career path to consider physical therapy as a viable option. After all, the world could always use more physical therapists.

The History of World Physical Therapy Day

This holiday was created by the World Confederation for Physical Therapy (WCPT) in 1996. This organization, now known as World Physiotherapy, aimed to create a sense of unity in the global physiotherapy community and to recognize the work that physiotherapists do for their patients and the larger community. The holiday was also conceived as a day for physiotherapists to promote their profession to the general public.

Some Important Facts About Physical Therapists

Below are some important facts about physical therapists that we believe everyone will find interesting. We gathered these facts while researching this holiday and think they are the perfect starting point for everyone to conduct their own research on the subject. Let’s take a quick look at them before continuing our journey together.

• Physical therapy began during WWI to help soldiers who were injured on the battlefield.
• The five types of PT include Orthopedic, Pediatric, Geriatric, Neurological, and Cardiopulmonary.
• Patients with lower back pain who started physical therapy saved more money than those who chose surgery as a treatment option.
• When physical therapy first began, it was a female-dominated profession. Now, there are both male and female physical therapists.

Observing World Physical Therapy Day

World Physical Therapy Day is a holiday that seeks to raise public awareness about physical therapy and its impact on patients’ lives. This is achieved through social media using the hashtag #WorldPhysicalTherapyDay and through special events held around the world. Physical therapists can also use this holiday to inspire future generations to pursue a career in physiotherapy.