As used in the Physical Therapy Practice Act:
1. “Physical therapy” means the care and services provided by or under the direction and supervision of a physical therapist who is licensed pursuant to the Physical Therapy Practice Act;
2. “Practice of physical therapy” means the use of selected knowledge and skills in planning, organizing and directing programs for the care of individuals whose ability to function is impaired or threatened by disease or injury, encompassing preventive measures, screening, tests in aid of diagnosis by a licensed doctor of medicine, osteopathy, chiropractic, dentistry or podiatry, or a physician assistant, and evaluation and invasive or noninvasive procedures with emphasis on the skeletal system, neuromuscular and cardiopulmonary function, as it relates to physical therapy. Physical therapy includes screening or evaluations performed to determine the degree of impairment of relevant aspects such as, but not limited to, nerve and muscle function including transcutaneous bioelectrical potentials, motor development, functional capacity and respiratory or circulatory efficiency. Physical therapy also includes physical therapy treatment performed including, but not limited to, exercises for increasing or restoring strength, endurance, coordination and range of motion, stimuli to facilitate motor activity and learning, instruction in activities of daily living and the use of assistive devices and the application of physical agents to relieve pain or alter physiological status. Physical therapy services may be provided in person or remotely, via telehealth, to individuals or groups. The use of roentgen rays and radium for diagnostic or therapeutic purposes, the use of electricity for surgical purposes, including cauterization and colonic irrigations are not authorized under the term “physical therapy” as used in this chapter;
3. “Physical therapist assistant” means a person who assists in the practice of physical therapy subject to the direction and supervision of a licensed physical therapist, who meets all the educational requirements, and who is licensed pursuant to the provisions of the Physical Therapy Practice Act;
4. “Licensed physical therapist” means a person who is licensed as required in the Physical Therapy Practice Act and who regularly practices physical therapy;
5. “Board” means the State Board of Medical Licensure and Supervision;
6. “Committee” means the Physical Therapy Committee;
7. “Telehealth” means the use of electronic information and telecommunications technologies to support long-distance clinical health care, patient and professional health-related education, public health and health administration; and
8. “Telecommunication” means the use of audio, video or other electronic media to deliver health care in real-time or through the use of store-and-forward technology.
Added by Laws 1965, c. 153, § 2, emerg. eff. May 26, 1965. Amended by Laws 1969, c. 345, § 1; Laws 1987, c. 13, § 1, eff. July 1, 1987; Laws 1987, c. 118, § 44, operative July 1, 1987; Laws 2001, c. 385, § 5, eff. Nov. 1, 2001; Laws 2012, c. 29, § 1, eff. Nov. 1, 2012; Laws 2014, c. 324, § 1, eff. Nov. 1, 2014; Laws 2021, c. 77, § 1, eff. Nov. 1, 2021.