Standardizing Practice Through Words

The current issue of the Journal of Manual and Manipulative Therapy (JMMT) is an important issue that all physical therapists and students should check out. Important, as it contains the results of a task force charged with developing a standardized language with which to describe manual therapy techniques. JMMT makes this content freely available.

The editorial from new Editor in Chief, Chad Cook, is intriguing as it suggests the diversity of language within physical therapist practice is representative of deeper philosophical problems:

"Selected textbooks still support the use of archaic concepts such as Fryette’s law, usefulness of palpation of the sacroiliac joint, dogmatic use of the convex-concave rule for all joints, and the assumption that we can gainfully palpate and correct spinal subluxations."

Standardize your language here:
Task force for the American Academy of Orthopaedic Manual Physical Therapists. A Model for Standardizing Manipulation Terminology in Physical Therapist Practice.

Thanks to Paul Mintken, Carl DeRosa, Tamara Little, and Britt Smith for authoring this important piece of literature.

ERIC