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Louisville NE 68037 & Plattsmouth NE 68048

Women’s History in Physical Therapy

March 16, 2021 – With March being Women’s History month we wanted to take some time to recognize their importance in the profession of physical therapy.

The physical therapy profession has grown and evolved significantly over the years. Physical therapy began during the polio epidemic and World War I. Mary McMillan, also known as the “founding mother” began working with World War I survivors in 1918. She later became known as the first re-aide. Later she began training other women to become re-aides. Once the polio epidemic took hold, McMillan saw the need to grow the PT profession and later formed the national organization called the American Women’s Physical Therapy Association now known as the American Physical Therapy Association. Today, women make up 70% of the PT profession.

https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&url=https%3A%2F%2Fblog.storyterrace.com%2Fus%2Fmeet-mary-mcmillan-the-mother-of-modern-physical-therapy&psig=AOvVaw0115mFubCJGtLK0NCYr35W&ust=1615991689522000&source=images&cd=vfe&ved=0CAIQjRxqFwoTCMjZxKeEte8CFQAAAAAdAAAAABAD

 

We invite you to take the time to visit the following link: https://www.webpt.com/blog/8-famous-women-pts-from-history/ and take the time to read this blog. It shows the importance of women in physical therapy’s past and the foundation that they laid. At Witte Physical Therapy we employ 3 therapists, 2 therapy assistants, an athletic trainer, and a billing specialist that are all women. They continue to keep the profession moving forward today and into the future!

Since the beginning, PT has evolved to include clinical and non-clinical positions. The therapists at Witte Physical Therapy are clinical therapists who work with a wide variety of patients. Physical Therapists do not only treat patients with post-operative conditions. Outside of post-op conditions our physical therapists treat a variety of conditions including, but not limited to:

 

  • Muscle strains and tension
  • Spinal pain
  • Headaches
  • Vertigo
  • Women’s health condition’s
  • Pelvic dysfunction
  • Parkinson’s and Huntington’s Disease
  • Cancer
  • Lymphedema
  • Multiple Sclerosis
  • Diabetes
  • Cerebral Palsy
  • Torticollis

Our therapists are trained to work with and treat all of these conditions. This list is not exhaustive, but provides some examples. Natosha Siemek, PT, DPT, can work with women’s health, pelvic dysfunction, lymphedema, cerebral palsy, and torticollis patients. Kayla Mammen, PT, DPT can work with headaches, vertigo, Parkinson’s and Huntington’s disease patients. The rest of our staff also have their specialties and can work with the above list and more!

Some of these conditions may come as a surprise. However, many disorders affect the body physically. Physical therapists are trained to work with disorders that effect the body’s physical function. Give us a call today in Louisville at 402-234-3333, in Plattsmouth at 402-298-4747 to ask questions and learn more!