Topics
How to read a status
Every status pairs a shape with a word, so it never depends on color. Each status comes with its sources and the date it was last updated. Where a profession has not been researched yet, it reads Not yet covered.
- Generally within scope
- Varies by state
- Not typically within scope
- Not yet covered
Profession statuses covered120 of 120 · 100%
Columns show the five licensed clinical professions. How a status is decided
Manual therapy
Manual therapy · varies between statesSpinal manipulationA high-velocity, low-amplitude thrust applied to a spinal joint.DC, ChiropractorGenerally within scopePT, Physical therapistVaries by stateOT, Occupational therapistNot typically within scopeAT, Athletic trainerNot typically within scopeLMT, Massage therapistNot typically within scopeManual therapyJoint mobilizationGraded, passive movement of a joint within or at the limit of its range, without a thrust.DC, ChiropractorGenerally within scopePT, Physical therapistGenerally within scopeOT, Occupational therapistVaries by stateAT, Athletic trainerGenerally within scopeLMT, Massage therapistVaries by stateManual therapyInstrument-assisted soft tissue mobilizationSoft-tissue treatment delivered with a rigid hand-held tool rather than the hands alone.DC, ChiropractorVaries by statePT, Physical therapistGenerally within scopeOT, Occupational therapistVaries by stateAT, Athletic trainerGenerally within scopeLMT, Massage therapistGenerally within scopeManual therapy · varies between statesCuppingSuction cups applied to the skin, either left in place or moved across it.DC, ChiropractorVaries by statePT, Physical therapistGenerally within scopeOT, Occupational therapistVaries by stateAT, Athletic trainerVaries by stateLMT, Massage therapistGenerally within scopeManual therapySoft tissue mobilizationHands-on techniques applied to muscle, tendon and fascia rather than to joints.DC, ChiropractorGenerally within scopePT, Physical therapistGenerally within scopeOT, Occupational therapistGenerally within scopeAT, Athletic trainerGenerally within scopeLMT, Massage therapistGenerally within scopeManual therapy · varies between statesTractionA pulling force applied along the spine or a limb, by hand or with a device.DC, ChiropractorGenerally within scopePT, Physical therapistGenerally within scopeOT, Occupational therapistVaries by stateAT, Athletic trainerVaries by stateLMT, Massage therapistNot typically within scope
Needling
Imaging and diagnostics
Imaging and diagnostics · varies between statesOrdering diagnostic imagingWho may order X-ray, MRI and other imaging, and on what terms.DC, ChiropractorGenerally within scopePT, Physical therapistVaries by stateOT, Occupational therapistVaries by stateAT, Athletic trainerVaries by stateLMT, Massage therapistNot typically within scopeImaging and diagnostics · varies between statesDiagnostic musculoskeletal ultrasoundUsing a handheld ultrasound probe to see tendons, muscles and joints in real time during an examination.DC, ChiropractorVaries by statePT, Physical therapistGenerally within scopeOT, Occupational therapistVaries by stateAT, Athletic trainerVaries by stateLMT, Massage therapistNot typically within scopeImaging and diagnostics · varies between statesOrdering laboratory testsRequesting blood, urine or other specimen tests to help diagnose a condition.DC, ChiropractorVaries by statePT, Physical therapistNot typically within scopeOT, Occupational therapistNot typically within scopeAT, Athletic trainerNot typically within scopeLMT, Massage therapistNot typically within scope
Exercise
ExerciseTherapeutic exerciseExercise prescribed to restore or improve strength, mobility, endurance or function.DC, ChiropractorGenerally within scopePT, Physical therapistGenerally within scopeOT, Occupational therapistGenerally within scopeAT, Athletic trainerGenerally within scopeLMT, Massage therapistNot typically within scopeExerciseBlood flow restriction trainingLow-load exercise performed with a cuff partly restricting blood flow to the limb.DC, ChiropractorVaries by statePT, Physical therapistGenerally within scopeOT, Occupational therapistVaries by stateAT, Athletic trainerVaries by stateLMT, Massage therapistNot typically within scopeExercise · varies between statesVestibular rehabilitationExercise-based treatment for dizziness and balance problems from inner-ear and related disorders, including repositioning maneuvers for positional vertigo.DC, ChiropractorVaries by statePT, Physical therapistGenerally within scopeOT, Occupational therapistVaries by stateAT, Athletic trainerVaries by stateLMT, Massage therapistNot typically within scopeExercise · varies between statesAquatic therapyTherapeutic exercise and rehabilitation carried out in a pool or other water environment.DC, ChiropractorVaries by statePT, Physical therapistGenerally within scopeOT, Occupational therapistGenerally within scopeAT, Athletic trainerGenerally within scopeLMT, Massage therapistVaries by state
Sport
Sport · varies between statesSport-related concussionRecognition, assessment and return to sport after a concussion in sport.DC, ChiropractorVaries by statePT, Physical therapistVaries by stateOT, Occupational therapistVaries by stateAT, Athletic trainerGenerally within scopeLMT, Massage therapistNot typically within scopeSportKinesiology tapingElastic tape applied to the skin, distinct from rigid athletic taping.DC, ChiropractorVaries by statePT, Physical therapistGenerally within scopeOT, Occupational therapistGenerally within scopeAT, Athletic trainerGenerally within scopeLMT, Massage therapistVaries by stateSport · varies between statesReturn to play clearanceThe decision, often written, that an injured athlete may go back to training or competition.DC, ChiropractorVaries by statePT, Physical therapistVaries by stateOT, Occupational therapistVaries by stateAT, Athletic trainerVaries by stateLMT, Massage therapistNot typically within scope
Modalities
ModalitiesElectrical stimulationElectrical current applied through the skin for pain relief or muscle activation.DC, ChiropractorVaries by statePT, Physical therapistGenerally within scopeOT, Occupational therapistGenerally within scopeAT, Athletic trainerGenerally within scopeLMT, Massage therapistVaries by stateModalitiesTherapeutic ultrasoundSound waves applied to tissue as a treatment, distinct from diagnostic ultrasound imaging.DC, ChiropractorVaries by statePT, Physical therapistGenerally within scopeOT, Occupational therapistGenerally within scopeAT, Athletic trainerGenerally within scopeLMT, Massage therapistNot typically within scopeModalitiesPhotobiomodulation (laser therapy)Red or near-infrared light from a laser or LED, applied to tissue without heating or cutting it.DC, ChiropractorGenerally within scopePT, Physical therapistGenerally within scopeOT, Occupational therapistGenerally within scopeAT, Athletic trainerGenerally within scopeLMT, Massage therapistNot typically within scopeModalities · varies between statesShockwave therapyShort, high-pressure sound pulses delivered through the skin to tendon, fascia or bone.DC, ChiropractorVaries by statePT, Physical therapistVaries by stateOT, Occupational therapistVaries by stateAT, Athletic trainerVaries by stateLMT, Massage therapistNot typically within scope
Practice authority
Practice authority · varies between statesDirect accessSeeing a clinician without first getting a referral from a physician.DC, ChiropractorGenerally within scopePT, Physical therapistGenerally within scopeOT, Occupational therapistVaries by stateAT, Athletic trainerNot typically within scopeLMT, Massage therapistGenerally within scopePractice authority · varies between statesTelehealthProviding assessment, exercise instruction and follow-up remotely, by video, phone or app.DC, ChiropractorVaries by statePT, Physical therapistGenerally within scopeOT, Occupational therapistGenerally within scopeAT, Athletic trainerVaries by stateLMT, Massage therapistVaries by statePractice authority · varies between statesTopical and administered medicationsApplying or giving medications prescribed by someone else, such as anti-inflammatory gels, iontophoresis or emergency epinephrine.DC, ChiropractorNot typically within scopePT, Physical therapistVaries by stateOT, Occupational therapistVaries by stateAT, Athletic trainerVaries by stateLMT, Massage therapistNot typically within scope
Coverage matrix
| Topic | DC, Chiropractor | PT, Physical therapist | OT, Occupational therapist | AT, Athletic trainer | LMT, Massage therapist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spinal manipulation | Generally within scope | Varies by state | Not typically within scope | Not typically within scope | Not typically within scope |
| Joint mobilization | Generally within scope | Generally within scope | Varies by state | Generally within scope | Varies by state |
| Instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization | Varies by state | Generally within scope | Varies by state | Generally within scope | Generally within scope |
| Cupping | Varies by state | Generally within scope | Varies by state | Varies by state | Generally within scope |
| Dry needling | Varies by state | Varies by state | Varies by state | Varies by state | Not typically within scope |
| Ordering diagnostic imaging | Generally within scope | Varies by state | Varies by state | Varies by state | Not typically within scope |
| Therapeutic exercise | Generally within scope | Generally within scope | Generally within scope | Generally within scope | Not typically within scope |
| Blood flow restriction training | Varies by state | Generally within scope | Varies by state | Varies by state | Not typically within scope |
| Sport-related concussion | Varies by state | Varies by state | Varies by state | Generally within scope | Not typically within scope |
| Kinesiology taping | Varies by state | Generally within scope | Generally within scope | Generally within scope | Varies by state |
| Electrical stimulation | Varies by state | Generally within scope | Generally within scope | Generally within scope | Varies by state |
| Therapeutic ultrasound | Varies by state | Generally within scope | Generally within scope | Generally within scope | Not typically within scope |
| Vestibular rehabilitation | Varies by state | Generally within scope | Varies by state | Varies by state | Not typically within scope |
| Aquatic therapy | Varies by state | Generally within scope | Generally within scope | Generally within scope | Varies by state |
| Soft tissue mobilization | Generally within scope | Generally within scope | Generally within scope | Generally within scope | Generally within scope |
| Traction | Generally within scope | Generally within scope | Varies by state | Varies by state | Not typically within scope |
| Photobiomodulation (laser therapy) | Generally within scope | Generally within scope | Generally within scope | Generally within scope | Not typically within scope |
| Shockwave therapy | Varies by state | Varies by state | Varies by state | Varies by state | Not typically within scope |
| Diagnostic musculoskeletal ultrasound | Varies by state | Generally within scope | Varies by state | Varies by state | Not typically within scope |
| Return to play clearance | Varies by state | Varies by state | Varies by state | Varies by state | Not typically within scope |
| Direct access | Generally within scope | Generally within scope | Varies by state | Not typically within scope | Generally within scope |
| Telehealth | Varies by state | Generally within scope | Generally within scope | Varies by state | Varies by state |
| Topical and administered medications | Not typically within scope | Varies by state | Varies by state | Varies by state | Not typically within scope |
| Ordering laboratory tests | Varies by state | Not typically within scope | Not typically within scope | Not typically within scope | Not typically within scope |