Photograph from WCPT's founding meeting in 1951

Our history

Founded in 1951 by 11 national physiotherapy associations as World Confederation for Physical Therapy, World Physiotherapy now represents more than 600,000 physiotherapists worldwide through its 125 member organisations.

Member organisations from Angola, Guatemala, Oman, Portugal, and Sierra Leone admitted

Following an electronic vote, the following national physiotherapy associations were admitted:

2023

Member organisation from Yemen admitted

Following an electronic vote, the following national physiotherapy association was admitted:

2022

Member organisations from Dominican Republic, Palestine, and Vietnam admitted

Following an electronic vote, the following national physiotherapy associations were admitted:

2021

World Physiotherapy logo

World Physiotherapy

WCPT rebrands as World Physiotherapy

2020

Member organisations from France and Romania admitted

Following an electronic vote, the following national physiotherapy associations were admitted:

2020

Member organisations admitted in Geneva

At the 19th general meeting in Geneva in May 2019, the following national physiotherapy associations were admitted.

2019

New constitution

Photograph from WCPT 2019 general meeting

A new constitution is unanimously approved at the 19th general meeting in Geneva in May 2019. Delegates at the meeting also approved a motion on climate change, a policy statement on diversity and inclusion, and an endorsement of ethical principles of health care in times of armed conflict and other emergencies. Three new specialty groups were also approved: International Organisation of Aquatic Physiotherapists (IOAPT), International Federation of Physiotherapists working in Occupational Health and Ergonomics (IFPTOHE), and International Physical Therapy for HIV/AIDS, Oncology, Hospice and Palliative Care (IPT-HOPE).

 

2019

First general meeting and congress in Africa

First congress in Africa

Cape Town was the location for WCPT's first congress in Africa

2017

Singapore hosts 18th general meeting

At the 18th general meeting in Singapore, nine national physiotherapy associations were admitted:

2015

17th general meeting takes place in Amsterdam

Photo from 2011 general meeting

Amsterdam was the location for the 17th general meeting, where the following national physiotherapy associations were admitted:

2011

Membership reaches 100

100th member organisation joins WCPT

At the 16th general meeting in Vancouver, Canada, these national physiotherapy associations brought the membership to 100:

2007

Barcelona hosts 15th general meeting

The following national physiotherapy associations were admitted at the 15th general meeting in Barcelona, Spain:

2003

First general meeting in north Asia

Opening ceremony in Japan

The 14th general meeting took place in Yokohama, Japan. These national physiotherapy associations were admitted:

1999

13th general meeting takes place in Washington

Washington DC, US, was the location for the 13th general meeting where the following national physiotherapy associations were admitted:

1995

General meeting returns to London

Queen Elizabeth II attends opening ceremony in London

London, UK, was the location, for the second time, the general meeting. The 12th meeting admitted the following national physiotherapy associations:

1991

Meeting inquorate

The 11th general meeting was scheduled to take place in Sydney, Australia. The meeting was inquorate. Participants at the meeting pledged opposition to apartheid and support for physiotherapy colleagues in South Africa.

In 1988 the following national physiotherapy associations were admitted:

1987

Sweden hosts 10th general meeting

Stockholm hosts 10th general meeting

The following national physiotherapy associations were admitted at the 10th general meeting in Stockholm, Sweden:

1982

Israel is location for general meeting

First subgroup recognised

The 9th general meeting took place in Tel Aviv, Israel, where the first subgroup, International Federation of Orthopaedic Manipulative Therapists (IFOMT), is recognised and the following national physiotherapy associations were admitted:

1978

Subgroups established

First congress in Canada

Subgroups are established at the 8th general meeting in Montreal, Canada, and the following national physiotherapy associations admitted:

1974

Amsterdam hosts 7th general meeting

Congress in Amsterdam

The 7th general meeting took place in Amsterdam, the Netherlands, and the following national physiotherapy associations were admitted:

1970

Australia hosts general meeting for the first time

Congress in Melbourne

Melbourne, Australia, was the location for the 6th general meeting where the following national physiotherapy associations were admitted:

1967

General meeting returns to Denmark

Mildred Elson at congress in Denmark

The 5th general meeting took place in Copenhagen, Denmark, where the following national physiotherapy associations were admitted:

1963

First association from South America

Delegates at congress in Paris

The first national physiotherapy association from South America was admitted at the 4th general meeting in Paris, France:

1959

First general meeting outside Europe

Opening ceremony in New York

New York, US, was the location for the 3rd general meeting where the following national physiotherapy associations were admitted:

1956

First congress in London

2nd general meeting takes place in London

London, UK, was the location for the 2nd general meeting and the first congress

1953

Founding members

Meeting of founding member organisations in Copenhagen

11 national physiotherapy associations found the first global body for physiotherapists, World Confederation for Physical Therapy, and hold the first general meeting in Copenhagen, Denmark

1951