RE: Re: Chiropractors Advertising Physiotherapy

[Guest guest]

,

In Arkansas we have fought this battle a very long time. The Arkansas practice

act protects the terms physical therapy, physical therapist, physical therapist

assistant, and physiotherapist, unfortunately it does not protect the term

physiotherapy. Last legislative session we tried to include this term among the

protected terms in our practice act but there was so much controversy we let it

drop. It is amazing to me that anyone does not believe that someone saying they

do physiotherapy is not proclaiming to do physical therapy. The terms are

synonymous. Below is only one example of the definition of physiotherapy and

most all examples I found on the net says it is physical therapy. Seems so

simple yet we can’t seem to get it in our practice act.

physical therapy

n. Abbr. PT

The treatment of physical dysfunction or injury by the use of therapeutic

exercise and the application of modalities, intended to restore or facilitate

normal function or development. Also called physiotherapy.

physical therapist n.

phys·i·o·ther·a·py

(fÄ­z'Ä“-Å-thÄ›r'É™-pÄ“)

<http://dictionary.reference.com/help/ahd4/pronkey.html>

n. See <http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/physical+therapy> physical

therapy.

phys'i·o·ther'a·peu'tic (-thÄ›r'É™-pyÅÅ'tÄ­k) adj., phys'i·o·ther'a·pist

n.

The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition

Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.

Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.

<http://dictionary.reference.com/cite.html?qh=physiotherapy & ia=ahd4> Cite This

Source

Becky A. Sewell, MRC, CRC

Rehab Net of AR

P.O. Box 202

Conway, AR 72033

ph/fax

_____

From: PTManager [mailto:PTManager ] On Behalf Of

jonmarkpleasant

Sent: Thursday, March 11, 2010 8:17 PM

To: PTManager

Subject: Re: Chiropractors Advertising Physiotherapy

,

Does your state practice act prohibt the use of the term Physiotherapy (or

similar)?

The Texas State Practice Act states the following:

(a) A person may not practice physical therapy or practice as a physical

therapist assistant, unless the person is an individual who holds a license

issued by the board.

( A person, including the person's employee or other agent or representative,

may not extend or provide physical therapy services unless the services are

provided by a physical therapist.

© A person is considered to be practicing physical therapy if the person:

(1) performs, offers to perform, or attempts to perform physical therapy; or

(2) publicly professes to be or holds the person out to be a physical therapist

or as providing physical therapy.

(d) Unless the person is a physical therapist, a person, including the person's

employee or other agent or representative, may not use in connection with the

person's name or business activity:

(1) the words " physical therapy, " " physical therapist, " " physiotherapy, "

" physiotherapist, " " licensed physical therapist, " " registered physical

therapist, " or " physical therapist assistant " ;

(2) the letters " PT, " " PhT, " " LPT, " " RPT, " or " PTA " ; or

(3) any other words, letters, abbreviations, or insignia indicating or implying,

by any means or in any way, that physical therapy is provided or supplied.

(e) A person may not use the title " Physical Therapist " unless the person is a

physical therapist.

(f) A person may not use the title " Physical Therapist Assistant " unless the

person is a physical therapist assistant.

The Texas State Practice Act is pretty clear in this matter. Perhaps other

states should push for similar wording.

Jon Mark Pleasant, PT

Methodist Medical Center

>

> >A few months ago I sent an email out to the group regarding a Chiropractor in

lin, TN that advertised " physiotherapy " on his " services " tab on his

website.

> >

> >I contacted the appropriate state entity, posing the question, " Is a

chiropractor allowed to advertise using the term physical therapy/ physiotherpy

in TN? " I recently received a letter from them that, states in part, " As a

result of this review, it was their determination that the acts of the

practitioner did not constitute a violation of the statutes and/or rules

governing the profession. "

> >

> >I was very disappointed in this, but upon a visit to the website, realized

that the chiropractor had removed the advertisement of " physiotherapy " from his

services. So, I'm not sure whether this is a victory or a defeat, but either

way, one chiropractor is no longer advertising PT services in TN!

> >

> > Hill, PT, DPT

> >Meridian, MS

> >

> >