The First World War marked the start of the profession. Throughout the world, 16 million people were engaged in the battlefield. In 1917, the US entered the war and the need to rehabilitate injured soldiers was recognized by the army. This led to the formation of a special unit of the army medical department. They also developed 15 'reconstruction aide' training programs in 1917 to meet the demand of medical workers who were specially trained in rehabilitation. In the 1920s, a partnership grew between PTs and the medical and surgical community, which boosted public recognition and validation. In 1930s, the polio epidemic was still continuing, and in the year 1937 the National Foundation for Infantile Paralysis was established, which gave major support to the growth of Physical Therapy as a profession.

The decade 1967-1976 saw the expansion of the profession into the management of orthopedics and cardiopulmonary disorders. With the advent of open heart surgery, Physical Therapy began to be practiced in preoperative and postoperative units. The care to individuals with severe joint restrictions altered with the increasing practice of joint replacements.

In the 21st century, the profession has continued to grow substantially. Patients are able to refer themselves to a PT without being told to refer themselves by a health professional. New generation PTs consider movement as an essential element of health and well-being, which is dependent upon the integrated, coordinated function of the human body at a number of levels. Movement is purposeful and is affected by internal and external factors. So today's Physical Therapy is directed toward the movement needs and potential of individuals and populations. Though we are in a more scientific and research-dependent era of our evolution, let us not forget those practitioners of the past, from all professions and doctrines, who have given so much throughout the centuries of history in Physical Therapy.