A new white paper on thrust manipulation performed by PTs designed to assist in educating policy makers and to use as a tool against attempts to restrict this part of the PT scope of practice is being offered by the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA), Alexandria, Va. The organization worked with the American Academy of Orthopaedic Manual Physical Therapists to create the white paper, which provides a comprehensive review of the history, education, safety, and research of PTs performing thrust manipulation.
In related news, the New Hampshire attorney general has recently issued an opinion confirming that spinal manipulation is within the scope of PT practice. A 2006 article in the Journal of Orthopaedic and Sports Physical Therapy prompted New Hampshire’s chiropractic board to seek a determination that the PT practice act’s reference to “joint mobilization” does not cover manipulation of the spine.
APTA worked with the state’s PT licensing board to demonstrate that spinal manipulation is within the scope of practice. The AG’s memo sided with the PTs, saying, “Based on the information presented, there is insufficient evidence for this Office to second-guess the [PT] Board’s assertion that joint mobilization encompasses spinal manipulation and is within the scope of practice.”
[Source: APTA]
