Sec. 1. For the purposes of this chapter:

(1) "Physical therapy" means the care and services provided by or under the direction and supervision of a physical therapist that includes any of the following:

(A) Examining, evaluating, and conduct testing on patients with mechanical, physiological, or developmental impairments, functional limitations, and disabilities or other health and movement related conditions in order to determine a physical therapy diagnosis.

(B) Alleviating impairments, functional limitations, and disabilities by designing, implementing, and modifying treatment interventions that may include therapeutic exercise, functional training in home, community, or work integration or reintegration that is related to physical movement and mobility, manual therapy, including soft tissue and joint mobilization or manipulation, therapeutic massage, prescription, application, and fabrication of assistive, adaptive, orthotic, protective, and supportive devices and equipment, including prescription and application of prosthetic devices and equipment, airway clearance techniques, integumentary protection and repair techniques, debridement and wound care, physical agents or modalities, mechanical and electrotherapeutic modalities, and patient related instruction.

(C) Using solid filiform needles to treat neuromusculoskeletal pain and dysfunction (dry needling), after completing board approved continuing education and complying with applicable board rules. However, a physical therapist may not engage in the practice of acupuncture (as defined in IC 25-2.5-1-5) unless the physical therapist is licensed under IC 25-2.5.

(D) Reducing the risk of injury, impairment, functional limitation, and disability, including the promotion and maintenance of fitness, health, and wellness in populations of all ages.

(E) Engaging in administration, consultation, education, and research.

(2) "Physical therapist" means a person who is licensed under this chapter to practice physical therapy.

(3) "Physical therapist assistant" means a person who:

(A) is certified under this chapter; and

(B) assists a physical therapist in selected components of physical therapy treatment interventions.

(4) "Board" refers to the Indiana board of physical therapy.

(5) "Physical therapy aide" means support personnel who perform designated tasks related to the operation of physical therapy services.

(6) "Person" means an individual.

(7) "Sharp debridement" means the removal of foreign material or dead tissue from or around a wound, without anesthesia and with generally no bleeding, through the use of:

(A) a sterile scalpel;

(B) scissors;

(C) forceps;

(D) tweezers; or

(E) other sharp medical instruments;

in order to expose healthy tissue, prevent infection, and promote healing.

(8) "Spinal manipulation" means a method of skillful and beneficial treatment by which a physical therapist uses direct thrust to move a joint of the patient's spine beyond its normal range of motion, but without exceeding the limits of anatomical integrity.

(9) "Tasks" means activities that do not require the clinical decision making of a physical therapist or the clinical problem solving of a physical therapist assistant.

(10) "Competence" is the application of knowledge, skills, and behaviors required to function effectively, safely, ethically, and legally within the context of the patient's role and environment.

(11) "Continuing competence" is the process of maintaining and documenting competence through ongoing self-assessment, development, and implementation of a personal learning plan and subsequent reassessment.

(12) "State" means a state, territory, or possession of the United States, the District of Columbia, or the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico.

(13) "Direct supervision" means that a physical therapist or physical therapist assistant is physically present and immediately available to direct and supervise tasks that are related to patient management.

(14) "General supervision" means supervision provided by a physical therapist who is available by telecommunication.

(15) "Onsite supervision" means supervision provided by a physical therapist who is continuously onsite and present in the department or facility where services are provided. The supervising therapist must be immediately available to the person being supervised and maintain continued involvement in the necessary aspects of patient care.

(16) "Conduct testing" means standard methods and techniques used to gather data about a patient, including, subject to section 2.5(c) of this chapter, electrodiagnostic and electrophysiologic tests and measures. The term does not include x-rays.

(17) "Physical therapy diagnosis" means a systematic examination, evaluation, and testing process that culminates in identifying the dysfunction toward which physical therapy treatment will be directed. The term does not include a medical diagnosis.

Formerly: Acts 1957, c.198, s.1; Acts 1971, P.L.379, SEC.1. As amended by P.L.150-1986, SEC.4; P.L.259-1987, SEC.1; P.L.240-1989, SEC.1; P.L.98-2013, SEC.1; P.L.160-2019, SEC.9.