How the Science of Human Lifespan or Developmental Psychology Affects Physical Therapy?

How the Science of Human Lifespan or Developmental Psychology Affects Physical Therapy?

Introduction

This research paper explains the effect of science of lifespan developmental psychology on physical therapy, chosen as a professional career. Physical therapy is the treatment and assessment of physical disabilities of a person; which is caused by any injury, abnormality or traumatic accident without the use of medication. According to American Physical Therapy Association (APTA), this field is concerned with the correction of physical imparities by treating patients through activities and exercises that can strengthen their muscles, improve movement, and release pain. The primary function of this health care profession is to diagnose health related illness, injuries or conditions that resist their abilities to carry out functional activities of daily life. The history dates back to fifth century when Hippocrates and later Galenus practiced the manual massage theory for the first time (1991). This follows the introduction of Gymnasticon , a machine used to reduce joint inflammation (Brakewell, 1997). In 1887, Sweden's National Board of Health and Welfare acknowledged the official documentation of this therapy. Per Henrik Ling, father of Swedish Gymnastics supported it and coined the term “sjukgymnast” that means someone involved in gymnastics for those who are ill (Sharma, 2012). Modern physiotherapy was recognized in Britain and Americans practiced it as a profession to treat soldiers' injuries during the period of World War I (1914-1917). Following this outbreak, the first physical therapists were graduated from Reed College and Walter Reed Hospital, known as reconstruction aides (Low, 1992). They were given additional training in physical therapy services. As a profession, they treated patients with poliomyelitis, caused by inflammation of neurons of brain and spinal cord. These practitioners formed a health care professional organization led by Mary McMillan to diagnose more casualties of warfare. American Physical Therapy Association was official organizational name given to the association of these therapists from where it further evolve and develop (Winstein & Knecht, 1990). The paper further explains that how psychology plays a key role in the history, presence and future of choosing this field as a profession.

Discussion

Psychological Processes

The emotional and cognitive state of effected patients determines their interpretation of pain. The sequential process of experiencing and treating chronic pain includes attention, interpretation, response and strategies designed to cope with such ailments. The area of concern is to analyze how early the treatments ...