Physical therapies in 19th century Aotearoa/New Zealand : part 1 – Māori physical therapies

Contributes a historiographic study of physical therapies in 19th century Aotearoa/New Zealand, with part 1 focusing on traditional Māori healing practices. Sets out the parameters for the study and outlines the role that massage and manipulation, electrotherapy, hydrotherapy and remedial exercise played in societies around the world prior to the 20th century. Explores traditional Māori physical therapies, focusing on two broadly ‘orthopaedic’ conditions (fractures and back pain), before examining accounts of two predominant forms of physical therapy : massage and the use of thermal springs. Examines the cultural shift that took place with colonisation after 1840, and considers the effect that this shift had on Māori physical therapy practices prior to 1900. Source: National Library of New Zealand Te Puna Matauranga o Aotearoa, licensed by the Department of Internal Affairs for re-use under the Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 New Zealand Licence.