As used in this chapter, unless the content requires otherwise, the following words shall have the following meanings:
(1) “Athletic injury” is a musculoskeletal or other acute, nonmusculoskeletal sports-related injury resulting from or limiting participation in or training for scholastic, recreational, professional or sanctioned amateur athletic activities.
(2) “Athletic trainer” means a person who is licensed by the State Examining Board of Physical Therapists and Athletic Trainers, to practice “athletic training,” after meeting the requirements of this chapter and rules and regulations promulgated pursuant thereto.
(3) “Athletic training” means the prevention, evaluation, and treatment of athletic injuries by the utilization of therapeutic exercises and modalities such as heat, cold, light, air, water, sound, electricity, massage, and nonthrust mobilizations.
(4) “Board” means the State Examining Board of Physical Therapists and Athletic Trainers which shall administer and enforce this chapter.
(5) “Division” means the Delaware Division of Professional Regulation.
(6) “Dry needling” means an intervention that uses a thin filiform needle to penetrate the skin and stimulate underlying muscular tissue, connective tissues and myofascial trigger points for the management of neuromusculoskeletal pain and movement impairments; is based upon Western medical concepts; and requires a physical therapy examination and diagnosis.
(7) “First aid” is emergency care and treatment of an injured person before definitive medical and surgical management can be secured. Such care may include the emergency administration of medications including asthma medications, anaphylaxis medications, and glucagon. Such administration may require advanced training as determined by the Board’s rules and regulations, to assure the licensee meets accepted standards of care.
(8) “Physical therapist” means a person who is licensed to practice physical therapy. “Physical therapist” and such words as “physiotherapist” are equivalent terms, and reference to any 1 of them in this chapter or otherwise shall include the others.
(9) “Physical therapist assistant” means a person who assists licensed physical therapists subject to this chapter and rules and regulations adopted pursuant thereto.
(10) a. “Practice of physical therapy” means:
1. Examining, evaluating, and testing patients/clients who have impairments of body structure or function, activity limitations or participation restrictions in physical movement and mobility, or other health and movement related conditions in order to determine a physical therapy diagnosis, prognosis, and plan of treatment intervention, and to assess the ongoing effects of intervention; and
2. Alleviating impairments of body structure or function, activity limitations or participation restrictions in physical movement and mobility by designing, implementing, and modifying treatment interventions that may include: therapeutic exercise, functional training related to physical movement and mobility in self-care and in home, community, or work integration or reintegration; gait and balance training; neurological re-education; vestibular training; manual, mechanical, and manipulative therapy, including soft tissue, musculoskeletal manipulation, and joint mobilization/manipulation; dry needling; therapeutic massage; the prescription, application, and, as appropriate, fabrication of assistive, adaptive, orthotic, prosthetic protective and supportive devices and equipment; airway clearance techniques; integumentary protection and repair techniques; nonsurgical debridement and wound care; evaluative and therapeutic physical agents or modalities; mechanical and electrotherapeutic modalities; and patient related instruction; and
3. Reducing the risk of impairments of body structure or function, activity limitations or participation restrictions in physical movement and mobility, including the promotion and maintenance of fitness, health, and wellness in populations of all ages; and
4. Engaging in administration, consultation, education, telehealth, and research.
b. Nothing in this chapter shall be construed to limit the practice of physical therapy by physical therapists as is currently being practiced or determined by the Board so long as such practice does not include surgery or the medical diagnosis of disease. Advanced services may require advanced training, as determined by the Board’s rules and regulations, to assure the licensee meets the accepted standard of care.
(11) “State” means the State of Delaware.
(12) “Substantially related” means the nature of the criminal conduct, for which the person was convicted, has a direct bearing on the fitness or ability to perform 1 or more of the duties or responsibilities necessarily related to the practice of physical therapy or athletic training.
(13) “Telehealth,” as set forth in the Board’s rules and regulations, means the use of electronic communications to provide and deliver a host of health-related information and health-care services, including physical therapy and athletic training-related information and services, over large and small distances. Telehealth encompasses a variety of health care and health promotion activities, including education, advice, reminders, interventions, and monitoring of intervention.
(14) “Trigger points” are defined as hyperirritable spots in skeletal muscle that are associated with palpable nodules in taut bands of muscle fibers. They can give rise to local or referred pain, autonomic phenomenon, and can cause limitations in range of motion and muscle activation.
(15) “Visiting physical therapist or athletic trainer” means a physical therapist or athletic trainer who is licensed in another jurisdiction of the United States or credentialed to practice physical therapy or athletic training in another country and that person is teaching, demonstrating, or providing physical therapy or athletic training services in connection with teaching or participating in an educational seminar of no more than 60 days in a calendar year and abides by Delaware laws, rules, and regulations relating to physical therapy and athletic training.
