How is physical therapy defined in Texas?

"Physical therapy" means a form of health care that prevents, identifies, corrects, or alleviates acute or prolonged movement dysfunction or pain of anatomic or physiologic origin. Physical therapy includes the evaluation, examination, and utilization of exercises, rehabilitative procedures, massage, manipulations, and physical agents including, but not limited to, mechanical devices, heat, cold, air, light, water, electricity, and sound in the aid of diagnosis or treatment. PTs may perform evaluations without referrals. Physical therapy practice includes the use of modalities, procedures, and tests to make evaluations.

What is included in the practice of physical therapy?

The practice of physical therapy includes:

• Measurement or testing of the function of the musculoskeletal, neurological, pulmonary, or cardiovascular system;
• Rehabilitative treatment concerned with restoring function or preventing disability caused by illness, injury, or birth defect;
• Treatment, consultative, educational, or advisory services to reduce the incidence or severity of disability or pain to enable, train, or retrain a person to perform the independent skills and activities of daily living; and
• Delegation of selective forms of treatment to support personnel while a physical therapist retains the responsibility for caring for the patient and directing and supervising the support personnel.

Physical therapy practice includes but is not limited to the use of:

• Electromyographic (EMG) Tests,
• Nerve Conduction Velocity (NCV) Tests,
• Thermography,
• Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS),
• Bed traction,
• Application of topical medication to open wounds,
• Sharp debridement,
• Provision of soft goods,
• Inhibitive casting and splinting,
• Phonophoresis,
• Iontophoresis, and
• Biofeedback services.

What is specifically excluded from the practice?

A person may not engage in diagnosing diseases or in practicing medicine as defined by law on the basis of a physical therapy license.

In practicing physical therapy, a person may not use:

• Roentgen rays or radium for a diagnostic or therapeutic purpose; or
• Electricity for a surgical purpose, including cauterization.

Are there any special trainings or requirements?

N/A

Reference

Tex. Occ. Code § 453.001

Tex. Occ. Code § 453.005

Tex. Occ. Code § 453.006

22 Tex. Admin. Code §321.1

Tex. Occ. Code § 453.303