(a) Physical therapy means examining, evaluating, and testing a person with mechanical, physiological, and developmental movement-related impairments, functional limitations, and disabilities or other health and movement-related conditions in order to develop a plan of therapeutic intervention and to initiate treatment. Physical therapy is the art and science of physical or corrective rehabilitation or of physical or corrective treatment of a bodily or mental condition of a person by the use of the physical, chemical, and other properties of heat, light, water, electricity, sound, massage, and active, passive, and resistive exercise, and shall include physical therapy evaluation, treatment planning, instruction, and consultative services. The practice of physical therapy includes the promotion and maintenance of physical fitness to enhance the bodily movement related health and wellness of individuals through the use of physical therapy interventions. The use of roentgen rays and radioactive materials, for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes, and the use of electricity for surgical purposes, including cauterization, are not authorized under the term “physical therapy” as used in this chapter, and a license issued pursuant to this chapter does not authorize the diagnosis of disease. 2620.
(a) (b) Physical therapy means the art and science of physical or corrective rehabilitation or of physical or corrective treatment of any bodily or mental condition of any person by the use of the physical, chemical, and other properties of heat, light, water, electricity, sound, massage, and active, passive, and resistive exercise, and shall include physical therapy evaluation, treatment planning, instruction and consultative services. The practice of physical therapy includes the promotion and maintenance of physical fitness to enhance the bodily movement related health and wellness of individuals through the use of physical therapy interventions. The use of roentgen rays and radioactive materials, for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes, and the use of electricity for surgical purposes, including cauterization, are not authorized under the term “physical therapy” as used in this chapter, and a license issued pursuant to this chapter does not authorize the diagnosis of disease. A physical therapist may initiate treatment of conditions within the scope of practice of a physical therapist. If at any time, the physical therapist has reason to believe that the patient he or she is treating has signs or symptoms of a condition that requires treatment or services beyond the scope of practice of a physical therapist, the physical therapist shall refer the patient to a person holding a physician and surgeon’s certificate issued by the Medical Board of California or by the Osteopathic Medical Board of California or by a person licensed to practice dentistry, podiatric medicine, or chiropractic. (b) (c) Nothing in this section shall be construed to restrict or prohibit other healing arts practitioners licensed or registered under this division from practice within the scope of their license or registration.