COURSE DESCRIPTION

Emphasizes therapeutic procedures utilized by physical therapist assistants. Allows the student to practice elements of patient care and therapeutic skills. The procedures include therapeutic modalities (excluding electrotherapy), goniometry and therapeutic massage. Lecture 3 hours. Laboratory 4 hours. Total 7 hours per week.

GENERAL COURSE PURPOSE

This course prepares the student to apply therapeutic modalities, goniometry and therapeutic massage skills. Further, it provides the student with the background to determine applicability of the stated procedures, e.g., the patient examination skills to determine safety, indication of the procedures, as well as the skills to assess the success of the treatment administered. Proper documentation and communication of the treatment application and patient outcome is included.

ENTRY LEVEL COMPETENCIES

Prerequisites are BIO 141-142 - "Human Anatomy and Physiology I-II", or the equivalent; concurrent enrollment or successful completion of PTH 151 - "Musculoskeletal Structure and Function"; concurrent enrollment in PTH 105 - "Introduction to Physical Therapy".

GENERAL OBJECTIVES

Upon completion of this course, the student should be able to:

1. examine a client for and identify indications and contraindications related to the application basic therapeutic modalities, goniometry and therapeutic massage
2. demonstrate safe. accurate and effective technique in the delivery of basic therapeutic modalities, goniometry and therapeutic massage in either simulated or actual patient situations
3. accurately document all aspects of treatment intervention, including client response, utilizing proper format
4. model professional demeanor and adhere to the APTA Code of Ethics for the Physical Therapist Assistant in simulated and actual client treatment situations

1. Superficial and deep heat modalities
2. Cryotherapy
3. Intermittent compression
4. Mechanical traction
5. Ultraviolet radiation
6. Hydrotherapy
7. Sterile technique and bandaging
8. Universal precautions and OSHA regulations
9. Goniometry
10. Therapeutic massage
11. Documentation
12. Communication
13. Basic patient examination skills

1. Therapeutic exercise related to specific modality or goniometric applications
2. Myofascial release techniques