While cervical disc pathology can unquestionably produce radiculopathy, many patients presenting with arm pain, paresthesia or perceived weakness do not exhibit the clinical behavior of true nerve-root compromise. In these cases, failure to differentiate the primary pain generator may lead to unnecessary spinal injections, nerve ablation procedures or surgical consultation despite limited likelihood of benefit.
Court Says DCs Can't Practice PT in Pennsylvania
Physical therapists in Pennsylvania, lead by the American Physical Therapy Association, have won a unanimous decision in prohibiting chiropractors in the state from advertising or representing themselves as providing physical therapy services.
The three-judge panel of the Commonwealth Court of Pennsylvania based its decision on the state's Physical Therapy Practice Act, which prohibits a person representing that they practice physical therapy unless they are licensed under the act.
The decision overturns a Feb. 1997 decision by a hearing examiner who found that chiropractors did not violate Section IV of the state's Physical Therapy Practice Act by advertising that they perform physical therapy.