California PTA Laws Practice Exam

Which of the following therapies is part of physical therapy scope?

1. Homeopathic remedies

2. Resistive exercise

3. Surgical procedures

4. Dietary supplements

The correct answer is: Resistive exercise

Resistive exercise is a key component of physical therapy and falls firmly within the scope of practice for physical therapists. This type of therapy involves exercises that use resistance to improve strength, endurance, and overall physical function. Physical therapists are trained to assess a patient's needs and develop individualized exercise programs that include resistive exercises, which can be critical in rehabilitation following injury, surgery, or for chronic conditions. In contrast, homeopathic remedies, surgical procedures, and dietary supplements do not fit within the typical scope of physical therapy. Homeopathy is considered a different approach to health and wellness, focusing on natural remedies rather than the physical interventions employed by therapists. Surgical procedures are performed by licensed surgeons and are outside the expertise of physical therapists, who do not perform surgeries. Dietary supplements may play a role in general wellness but are not part of the physical therapy practice, which is primarily focused on movement and rehabilitation techniques. Thus, resistive exercise is recognized as a fundamental element in the field of physical therapy.