Mel:
This is in reply to a question you had back on November 20, 2000. I often
remark that when I practiced as a "massage therapist" (no license, no
training except some massage classes), I could treat anyone. I actually
studied acupression under an acunpuncturist, who at that time, was licensed
in Florida. I felt uncomfortable treating patients who had been seen by
orthopedists, chiropractors and physical therapists. I ended up going to
PT school--500 applicants at the time for 35 positions. I completed a
pre-PT program which required 3 lab science sequences (6 courses) and
pre-requisites required for in order to sit in those courses in the first
place. I had a Bachelor of Arts degree prior to this which did not require
any sciences. This took 6 quarters to complete, taking overloads most
quarters. I then went into a PT program which was overloads every quarter
for 2 years--enough hours for a masters degree, but only offering a
bachelors at the time. After all of that, because laws restrict who a PT
can treat, I was LESS able to treat patients than when I was a so called
massage therapist. I now have a clinic in a fitness club and regularly
hear "fitness trainers" and "personal trainers" as well as massage
therapists extolling advice and what I would call treatment that I can not
provide under the present laws in the state of Georgia.--Go figure.
Herb Silver PT, MBA
One quite frequently comes across non-medical fitness professionals in the
USA who claim to treat patients with musculoskletal injuries. One such
person is the fairly high profile Paul Chek who constantly refers in his
videos and articles to success stories about 'patients' whom he treats for a
wide variety of injuries. I have often explained that, even though I
lectured to medical students and staff on various medical topics and have PhD
in physiology, I would never have been permitted by law in South Africa to
treat patients because of medical and governmental laws which define very
clearly who is allowed to professionally treat medical conditions.
It intrigues me to hear that Chek seems to be allowed to treat patients in
the USA. Are there any physical therapists, doctors or chiropractors out
there who can tell me exactly who is allowed to treat medical conditions in
the USA? Does medical, State and Federal law actually allow someone who has
no accredited qualifications in the general medical field to offer
professional treatment to patients? Are the laws governing medical practice
indeed much more liberal in the USA than in other countries? Can personal
trainers and similarly qualified individuals offer to treat sports injuries
and similar medical conditions without fear of prosecution?
Even if someone in the USA ostensibly "works with" or "under the supervision"
of a physical therapist, chiropractor or doctor, how is that person
remunerated, especially if the law precludes those medical professionals from
hiring any unqualified practitioners to offer therapy in their practices.
What does the law in the USA have to say on this issue, as well?
Dr Mel C Siff
Denver, [log in to unmask]
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