Can Iowa physical therapists perform spinal manipulation?
A – Yes. Physiotherapy spinal manipulation/mobilization (often referred to as thrust joint manipulation, TJM) is one of the many …rehabilitative procedures [utilized by PTs] to prevent, correct, minimize or alleviate an impairment as described in the Iowa PT practice act (Iowa Code Chapter 148A). Some Iowa chiropractors claim that theirs is the only profession trained to perform spinal manipulation, but that is not the case. Physical therapists have been performing this type of manual therapy for decades. Physiotherapy TJM is taught in all U.S. postgraduate PT education programs as a condition of accreditation. They will also argue that chiropractic spinal manipulation performed by PTs is unlawful in Iowa because that prohibition is included in the PT practice act. That claim is irrelevant because PTs can’t perform “chiropractic spinal manipulation” when they don’t know what that means. Chiropractors are not employed in Iowa PT education programs to teach this subject. “Physiotherapy
