The emergence of Physioterapy in México from rehabilitation on the XX century

Abstract

This article is the product of a review of historical literature that analyzes the emergence and development of physiotherapy in México since its prevenience as a part of rehabilitation sciences until reach its own independence during the process of transformation it to a professionalization discipline in the XX century. The analysis of the reflections upon the reviewed documents and the interviews made to people that were part of the historical process are sort out under the next premises: first, the historical analysis of the social, institutional and scientific processes that bring on the emergence of physiotherapy as an independent profession secondary from rehabilitation upon the transfer of knowledge of western Europe to America under the model of George Basalla1. Second, the theorical tensions and joints between rehabilitation medicine and physiotherapy that were involved in the process for considering physiotherapy a profession with a lack of scientific knowledge, therefore physiotherapist were not recognized as an autonomic professional with own identity for its practice. Finally the change of paradigms in health models, such as the biopsychosocial model, the evolution of rehabilitation concepts such as the incorporation of International Classification of Functioning Disability and Health (ICF) promoted by World Health Organization as a conceptual frame that permits a global view of the functioning of the individuals in a context that includes the emergence of new professions such as physiotherapy un which multidisciplinary work among health professionals, permits to consolidate aspects of identity and autonomy of the profession.