South Dakota § 36-10-18.1 - Practice of physical therapy--Description.

§ 36-10-18.1. Practice of physical therapy--Description.

The practice of physical therapy is the examination and evaluation of a patient with a mechanical, physiological, or developmental impairment, a functional limitation, a disability, or other similar condition to:

(1)    Determine a diagnosis, prognosis, and therapeutic intervention;

(2)    Alleviate any impairment or functional limitation by designing, implementing, and modifying therapeutic interventions that include therapeutic exercise, functional training in community or work reintegration, manual therapy techniques including soft tissue and joint mobilization, assistive and adaptive devices and equipment, bronchopulmonary hygiene, debridement and wound care, physical agents and mechanical modalities, therapeutic massage, electrotherapeutic modalities, and patient-related instruction;

(3)    Prevent injury, impairment, functional limitation, and disability through the promotion and maintenance of fitness, health, and quality of life, in all age populations; and

(4)    Provide consultation, education, and research.

Source: SL 1996, ch 231, § 2; SL 2020, ch 157, § 4; SL 2023, ch 136, § 2.