The Very Beginning- Early history of Physical Therapy Physical therapy's first documented account is from the old master of medicines- Hippocrates . In the year 460 BC , Hippocrates introduced the idea of manual manipulation for pain relief. Since then, physiotherapy has evolved from simple massage to a complex portfolio of therapies with many specialized applications. In Ancient Greece circa 460 BC, Hector practiced a physiotherapy technique called “ hydrotherapy ” – which is Greek for water treatment. The Greeks, however, were not the only people practicing physical therapy; ancient writings from Persia, China and Egypt also describe the benefits of exercise , movement and massage for ailments. History of physical therapy (nineteenth century) Per Henrik Ling , “Father of Swedish Gymnastics,” who founded the Royal Central Institute of Gymnastics (RCIG) in 1813 for massage, manipulation, and exercise. The Swedish...