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Diagnostic musculoskeletal ultrasound
Choose your profession and state in Your lens above, and this page answers for you first.
At a glance
- DC, ChiropractorChiropractorVaries by stateSome states expressly let chiropractors use diagnostic ultrasound for musculoskeletal diagnosis, sometimes only after certification, while at least one state's courts have held it falls outside chiropractic scope.
- PT, Physical therapistPhysical therapistWithin scopePhysical therapy boards that have addressed it treat point-of-care ultrasound imaging as within physical therapist practice for trained clinicians, as part of examination and treatment planning rather than medical diagnosis of disease.
- PTA, Physical therapist assistantPhysical therapist assistantNot yet covered
- OT, Occupational therapistOccupational therapistVaries by stateOccupational therapy laws do not mention ultrasound imaging, and some exclude diagnosis, so whether an occupational therapist may use it as an assessment or biofeedback tool depends on the state board's reading.
- OTA, Occupational therapy assistantOccupational therapy assistantNot yet covered
- AT, Athletic trainerAthletic trainerVaries by stateAthletic training laws do not mention ultrasound imaging, and athletic trainers work under physician direction or protocol, so any use depends on the state board and the directing physician.
- LMT, Massage therapistMassage therapistNot typicalDiagnostic ultrasound is outside massage therapy: massage laws exclude diagnosis, and some expressly exclude ultrasound devices.
- CSCS, Strength and conditioning specialistStrength and conditioning specialistNot yet covered
- CPT, Personal trainerPersonal trainerNot yet covered
What it is
An ultrasound scanner, like the ones used in pregnancy, can show muscles, tendons and joints on a screen while the clinician examines you. Some clinicians use it to look for tears or swelling, and others to watch a muscle contract during exercise. It is different from therapeutic ultrasound, which is used as a treatment.
Names across professions
| Profession | Term in practice acts | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Physical therapist | Ultrasonography imaging; rehabilitative ultrasound imaging (RUSI) | Terms used by physical therapy boards and literature |
| Chiropractor | Diagnostic ultrasound | The term in California's chiropractic rule |
| Across professions | Point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) | Ultrasound performed and read by the treating clinician |
What the bodies say
Check your state
Find your licensing board
Get licensed links to the board for each profession in each state, so you can read its rules or ask it directly.
Go to Get licensedState-by-state detail
This topic varies enough between states to warrant a state table, with the statute and board for each cell.