For the purposes of this chapter:

1. (1) "Physical therapy" means the evaluation of, administration of, or instruction in physical rehabilitative and habilitative techniques and procedures to evaluate, prevent, correct, treat, alleviate, and limit physical disability, pathokinesiological function, bodily malfunction, pain from injury, disease, and any other physical disability or mental disorder, including:

   1. (A) the use of physical measures, agents, and devices for preventive and therapeutic purposes;
   2. (B) neurodevelopmental procedures;
   3. (C) the performance, interpretation, and evaluation of physical therapy tests and measurements; and
   4. (D) the provision of consultative, educational, and other advisory services for the purpose of preventing or reducing the incidence and severity of physical disability, bodily malfunction, and pain.
2. (2) "Physical therapist" means a person who practices physical therapy as defined in this chapter.
3. (3) "Physical therapist's assistant" means a person who assists in the practice of physical therapy as defined in this chapter.
4. (4) "Board" refers to the medical licensing board.
5. (5) "Committee" refers to the Indiana physical therapy committee established under section 4 of this chapter.
6. (6) "Person" means an individual.

7. (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:

   1. (A) a sterile scalpel;
   2. (B) scissors;
   3. (C) forceps;
   4. (D) tweezers; or

   5. (E) other sharp medical instruments;

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

8. (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.

   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.