Elizabeth Kenny

Elizabeth Kenny (1880-1952) was an Australian nurse who pioneered a new treatment for poliomyelitis. In 1933, Kenny established a clinic in Townsville, Queensland, where she developed her revolutionary methods. Instead of conventional immobilization, she advocated for the use of hot compresses and muscle exercises to relieve pain and restore mobility. Her approach, initially controversial, gained international recognition during the 1940s. Kenny's work led to the establishment of several clinics in the United States, including the Elizabeth Kenny Institute in Minneapolis in 1942. Her techniques significantly improved the outcomes for polio patients and influenced modern physical therapy practices. Elizabeth Kenny's book, "Infantile Paralysis and Cerebral Diplegia," published in 1943, detailed her methods and findings.