[The first Department of physical methods of treatment in Russia is 135 years old].

The article presents the main stages of formation and development of the Department of Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine of the I.I. Mechnikov NWSMU of the Ministry of Health of Russia, describes in detail the contribution department staff in a specific historical period, the formation and development of scientific medical schools, among the research areas of which were physical methods of treatment. The important role of the staff of the department during the Great Patriotic War and their significant contribution not only to the treatment of the wounded and sick in besieged Leningrad, but also in the training of highly qualified medical personnel for military hospitals and hospitals are shown. The post-war period of the department's development is described in detail, as well as the important role of its staff in the study of patterns and trends in the development of restorative medicine and medical rehabilitation, the formation of a new organization of specialized medical care, in which, based on the most significant achievements of fundamental sciences, the interrelation of therapeutic and rehabilitation processes was reflected, which served as the basis for their unification into a new section of medical science - physical and rehabilitation medicine.