Since specialization first was explored for the physical therapy profession in the 1970s (see "The Beginnings of Specialization" below), the scope of the profession has grown considerably. And with that growth has come additional specialization areas, which serve to further best practice as the profession's body of knowledge continues to evolve.

Take the newest specialty for which physical therapists can become board certified: wound management. Rose Hamm, PT, says that when she started in physical therapy more than 50 years ago, every patient with a wound came to physical therapy for the whirlpool.