fisiatría

Abstract

The Physical Medicine and the Rehabilitation, also known as Physiatry, is a medical
specialty that treats neurological disorders and musculoskeletal system, borne
in the 30’s at the United States. However, it was after the II World War when many
combatants return to civilian life with severe physical injuries that the specialty
started with a notable expansion. The job of helping and returning to society war
victims, lead to in 1947 Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation become recognized by
the American Board of Specialties.
On the other hand, the first sport medical establishment in the world started in Dresde,
Germany, in 1911. The “First Convention for the Scientific Research of Sports and
Physical Exercise” was held in 1912 (Oberhof, Germany) and the term “sport physician”
o “Sportarzt” (term coined by Arthur Mallwitz) was used for the first time in 1913.
With the years passed until today, in the middle of COVID-19 pandemic, we see an
exponential increase in Physiatry and Sport Medicine, and both specialties have
consolidated, handling the different aspects on human rehabilitation. There are a
lot of emerging challenges and opportunities for Physiatry as for the Medical Sport
Medicine in the coming future, but with improved educational programs, strategies
based on evidence, greater production of research and better service coverage, the
specialties will continue developing and expanding to cover the patient needs with
disabling illness.
In this article, the history and the current state of both specialties at the international
level is presented, as well as both specialties in musculoskeletal rehabilitation for
patients.