Pennsylvania Act 2002-27 — PHYSICAL THERAPY PRACTICE ACT - AMEND MOBILIZATION/MANUAL THERAPY

Act text

Session of 2002

No. 2002-27

SB 1011

AN ACT

Amending the act of October 10, 1975 (P.L.383, No.110), entitled "An act relating to the practice of physical therapy," adding a definition of "mobilization/manual therapy."

The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania hereby enacts as follows:

Section 1. Section 2 of the act of October 10, 1975 (P.L.383, No.110), known as the Physical Therapy Practice Act, amended December 20, 1985 (P.L.500, No.117), is amended to read:

Section 2. Definitions.--The following definitions shall apply, when used in this act, unless otherwise expressed therein:

"Athletic trainer" shall mean a person certified by the State Board of Physical Therapy as an athletic trainer after meeting the requirements of this act and rules and regulations promulgated pursuant thereto.

"Athletic Trainer Advisory Committee" shall mean the committee created by section 10.1 of this act to advise the board.

"Board" means the State Board of Physical Therapy.

"Commissioner" shall mean the Commissioner of the Bureau of Professional and Occupational Affairs.

"Healing arts" shall mean the science and skill of diagnosis and treatment in any manner whatsoever of disease or any ailment of the human body.

"Physical therapist" shall mean a person who has met all the requirements of this act and is licensed to practice physical therapy in accordance with this act.

"Physical therapist assistant" shall mean a person who has met all the requirements of this act and is registered as a physical therapist assistant in accordance with this act.

"Physical therapy" means the evaluation and treatment of any person by the utilization of the effective properties of physical measures such as mechanical stimulation, heat, cold, light, air, water, electricity, sound, massage, mobilization and the use of therapeutic exercises and rehabilitative procedures including training in functional activities, with or without assistive devices, for the purpose of limiting or preventing disability and alleviating or correcting any physical or mental conditions, and the performance of tests and measurements as an aid in diagnosis or evaluation of function.

"Mobilization/manual therapy" shall mean a group of techniques comprising a continuum of skilled passive movements to the joints and/or related soft tissues throughout the normal physiological range of motion that are applied at varying speeds and amplitudes, without limitation.

"Physician" means a person as defined in 1 Pa.C.S. § 1991 (relating to definitions).

Section 2. This act shall take effect in 60 days.

APPROVED--The 2nd day of April, A. D. 2002.

MARK S. SCHWEIKER