Upcoming Webinars

  • No upcoming events

Site Updates

Disclaimer

The analysis of any legal or medical billing is dependent on numerous specific facts — including the factual situations present related to the patients, the practice, the professionals and the medical services and advice. Additionally, laws and regulations and insurance and payer policies are subject to change. The information that has been accurate previously can be particularly dependent on changes in time or circumstances. The information contained in this web site is intended as general information only. It is not intended to serve as medical, health, legal or financial advice or as a substitute for professional advice of a medical coding professional, healthcare consultant, physician or medical professional, legal counsel, accountant or financial advisor. If you have a question about a specific matter, you should contact a professional advisor directly. CPT copyright American Medical Association. All rights reserved. CPT is a registered trademark of the American Medical Association.

Menu
Log in
Forgot password


Search
Log in
Forgot password

Tennessee PT Scope of Practice

How is physical therapy defined in Tennessee?

Examining, evaluating and testing individuals with mechanical, physiological and developmental impairments, functional limitations and disability or other health and movement-related conditions in order to determine a physical therapy treatment diagnosis, prognosis, a plan of therapeutic intervention and to assess the ongoing effect of intervention.

What is included in the practice of physical therapy?

Alleviating impairments and functional limitations by designing, implementing, and modifying therapeutic interventions that include, but are not limited to:

    • Therapeutic exercise;
    • Functional training;
    • Manual therapy;
    • Therapeutic massage;
    • Assistive and adaptive orthotic, prosthetic, protective and supportive equipment;
    • Airway clearance techniques;
    • Debridement and wound care;
    • Physical agents or modalities;
    • Mechanical and electrotherapeutic modalities including patient related instruction and electrophysiologic studies (motor and sensory nerve conduction, and somatosensory evoked potentials).

Reducing the risk of injury, impairments, functional limitation and disability, including the promotion and maintenance of fitness, health and quality of life in all age populations.

Engaging in administration, consultation, education and research.

Manual Therapy Techniques

Manual Therapy Techniques – Consist of a broad group of passive interventions in which PTs use their hands to administer skilled movements designed to:

    • Modulate pain;
    • Increase joint range of motion;
    • Reduce or eliminate soft tissue swelling, inflammation, or restriction;
    • Induce relaxation;
    • Improve contractile and noncontractile tissue extensibility; and
    • Improve pulmonary functions.

These interventions involve a variety of techniques, such as the application of graded forces, which are not performed beyond the joint’s normal range of motion. These interventions may be applied to all joints of the body as deemed appropriate.

What is specifically excluded from the practice?

The scope of practice of physical therapy shall not include the performance of treatment where the PT or PTA uses direct thrust to move a joint of the patient's spine beyond its normal range of motion without exceeding the limits of anatomical integrity.

Are there any services with special requirements?

Tennessee PT Dry Needling

Tennessee PT Electromyography

Reference

Tenn. Code Ann. § 63-13-103

Tenn. Code Ann. § 63-13-104

Tenn. Comp. R. & Regs. 1150-01-.02

About Us

Therapy Comply is a healthcare compliance firm that seeks to bring high quality web-based compliance guidance and one-on-one consulting services to small and medium size physical, occupational, and speech therapy practices.

Learn More 

Join Us

Join today as either a monthly or a yearly member and enjoy full access to the site and a significant discount to our live and recorded webinars.  Members also have access to compliance and billing support.

Join Today 

Find Us


Powered by Wild Apricot Membership Software