South Dakota Codified Laws
Chapter 10 - Physical Therapists
Section 36-10-18.1 - Physical therapy defined.

36-10-18.1. Physical therapy defined.
For the purposes of §§ 36-10-18 through 36-10-52, the practice of physical therapy is the examination and evaluation of patients with mechanical, physiological, and developmental impairments, functional limitation, and disability or other similar conditions in order to determine a diagnosis, prognosis, and therapeutic intervention; alleviation of impairments and functional limitations by designing, implementing, and modifying therapeutic interventions that include therapeutic exercise, functional training in community or work reintegration, manual therapy techniques including soft tissue and joint mobilization, assistive and adaptive devices and equipment, bronchopulmonary hygiene, debridement and wound care, physical agents and mechanical modalities, therapeutic massage, electrotherapeutic modalities, and patient-related instruction; prevention of injury, impairments, functional limitations, and disability including the promotion and maintenance of fitness, health, and quality of life in all age populations; and consultation, education, and research.

Source: SL 1996, ch 231, §2; SL 2020, ch 157, § 4.

Structure South Dakota Codified Laws