Grave of the father of Swedish physical therapy

Pehr Henrik Ling was born on 15 November 1776 to Lars Peter Ling, a minister, and Hedvig Maria (Hedda) Molin. Born in Södra Ljunga, Småland, Ling left Sweden in 1800 and traveled abroad for seven years, visiting Germany, France, and England. He returned to Sweden in 1804 and began a routine of daily exercise, including fencing. By 1805, he had been appointed as a master of fencing at Lund University.

Using his own daily exercise routines to restore his health, Ling decided to apply this experience for the benefit of others. He attended anatomy and physiology classes and completed the entire curriculum for the training of a medical doctor. He then outlined a system of gymnastics, exercises, and maneuvers divided into four branches: pedagogical, medical, military, and aesthetic. This system demonstrated the scientific rigor required to be integrated or approved by established medical practitioners.

Despite his efforts, some orthodox medical practitioners were opposed to the claims made by Ling and his disciples. It was not until 1831 that he was elected a member of the Swedish General Medical Association, and in 1835, he was elected a member of the Swedish Academy and became a titular professor. Ling died in 1839, leaving behind a legacy of medical gymnastics that would be carried on by his pupils.

Sources: Wikipedia, OpenStreetMap, Wikidata, Wikimedia Commons