North Carolina Administrative Code › Title 21 - OCCUPATIONAL LICENSING BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS › Chapter 48 - PHYSICAL THERAPY EXAMINERS › Subchapter C - SCOPE OF PHYSICAL THERAPY PRACTICE › Section .0100 - PHYSICAL THERAPISTS › Section 48C .0101 - PERMITTED PRACTICE

Current through Register Vol. 39, No. 2, July 15, 2024
(a) Physical
				  therapy is presumed to include any acts, tests, procedures, modalities,
				  treatments, or interventions that are routinely taught in educational programs
				  or in continuing education programs for physical therapists and are routinely
				  performed in practice settings.
(b)
				  A physical therapist who employs acts, tests, procedures, modalities,
				  treatments, or interventions in which professional training has been received
				  through education or experience is considered to be engaged in the practice of
				  physical therapy.
(c) A physical
				  therapist must supervise physical therapist assistants, physical therapy aides,
				  PT students and PTA students to the extent required under the Physical Therapy
				  Practice Act and the rules in this Chapter. Physical therapy aides include all
				  non-licensed individuals aiding in the provision of physical therapy
				  services.
(d) The practice of
				  physical therapy includes tests of joint motion, muscle length and strength,
				  posture and gait, limb length and circumference, activities of daily living,
				  pulmonary function, cardio-vascular function, nerve and muscle electrical
				  properties, orthotic and prosthetic fit and function, sensation and sensory
				  perception, reflexes and muscle tone, and sensorimotor and other skilled
				  performances; treatment procedures such as hydrotherapy, shortwave or microwave
				  diathermy, ultrasound, infra-red and ultraviolet radiation, cryotherapy,
				  electrical stimulation including transcutaneous electrical neuromuscular
				  stimulation, massage, debridement, intermittent vascular compression,
				  iontophoresis, machine and manual traction of the cervical and lumbar spine,
				  joint mobilization, machine and manual therapeutic exercise including
				  isokinetics and biofeedback; and training in the use of orthotic, prosthetic
				  and other assistive devices including crutches, canes and wheelchairs. Physical
				  therapy further includes:
(1) examining
				  (history, system review and tests and measures) individuals in order to
				  determine a diagnosis, prognosis, and intervention within the physical
				  therapist's scope of practice. Tests and measures include the following:
(A) aerobic capacity and endurance;
(B) anthropometric characteristics;
(C) arousal, attention, and
				  cognition;
(D) assistive and
				  adaptive devices;
(E) community and
				  work (job/school/play) integration or reintegration;
(F) cranial nerve integrity;
(G) environmental, home, and work
				  (job/school/play) barriers;
(H)
				  ergonomics and body mechanics;
(I)
				  gait, locomotion, and balance;
(J)
				  integumentary integrity;
(K) joint
				  integrity and mobility;
(L) motor
				  function;
(M) muscle
				  performance;
(N) neuromotor
				  development and sensory integration;
(O) orthotic, protective and supportive
				  devices;
(P) pain;
(Q) posture;
(R) prosthetic requirements;
(S) range of motion;
(T) reflex integrity;
(U) self-care and home management;
(V) sensory integrity; and
(W) ventilation, respiration, and
				  circulation.