PTA 150 — Theory of Ph ysical Agents I
This course introduces students to manual therapy and physical agents utilized to modulate or decrease pain, reduce or eliminate edema, improve circulation, enhance connective tissue extensibility, remodel scar tissue, decrease restrictions associated with musculoskeletal injury, increase joint mobility, decrease nerve root compression and improve patients exercise performance. Students learn to utilize manual therapy techniques such as massage, fascial release and soft tissue mobilization, and physical agents including superficial and deep heat, light, cryotherapy, hydrotherapy, compression, and traction; as an adjunct to therapeutic exercise, to achieve optimal outcomes. Appropriate tools and functional measures are discussed to assist students in reporting patient status. Classroom discussions involve theoretical and scientific background, physiological responses, indications, contraindications and precautions, clinical applications, parameter selection, documentation, discussion of current research and contemporary practice, clinical decision making, integration and sequencing within the PT Plan of Care, and reimbursement. The role of the physical therapist assistant in implementing the interventions is discussed with adherence to legal practice standards and emphasis on consistency with APTA guidelines.
Prerequisites: ENG 101, BIOL 105, PTA 100, PTA 101, PTA 102