American Physical Therapy Association adopts public position presented by Richard Severin

The motion on Non-Pharmacologic Blood Pressure Management for Physical Therapists (motion RC-9-22) drafted and presented by Richard Severin on behalf of the Illinois delegation at the 2022 American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) House of Delegates passed Sunday, Aug. 14.

This now means that the public position by APTA is that the non-pharmacologic management (including screening, prevention, etc.) of blood pressure disorders is within the physical therapy scope of practice. This opens the door to blood pressure disorders becoming a referring diagnosis for physical therapists and blood pressure improvements as stand alone reimbursable goals presenting a new opportunity for PTs to improve the health of patients in their communities across settings and the continuum of care.

An official report is forthcoming.