Spinal Manipulation

---

Background

Section 2 of the SCPT Regulatory Bylaws defines “Specialized physical therapy procedure” to include “spinal manipulation”. Subsection 18(1) states: “No member shall perform a specialized physical therapy procedure unless the member has completed an educational program recognized by council and is registered in the roster maintained by the college.”

Recognized Educational Programs

The following educational programs are recognized by the SCPT Council:

• Education programs that meet the standards of the International Federation of Orthopedic Manipulative Physical Therapists (IFOMPT) provided by institutions in Canada and in other countries as providing the education and training necessary to perform spinal manipulative techniques in taught in those courses and programs. (please refer to www.ifompt.org for details). 

• Modern MSK: Cervical/Thoracic Manipulation (Cervical-Thoracic Management) offered by Key Clinical Skills (KCS)

• Modern MSK: Lumbar/Sacral Manipulation (Lumbar-Sacral Management) offered by Key Clinical Skills (KCS)

Council recognizes the courses included in a recognized educational program provided by Canadian Universities as providing the education and training necessary to perform spinal manipulation as taught in those programs.

Practice Guidelines

A physical therapist may perform spinal manipulation to the competencies for which they have been educated and trained in their recognized educational program and courses or other course recognized by council.

Physical therapists practicing spinal manipulation are expected to use professional judgement and act within their individual level of competence.

Physical therapists must practice only those spinal manipulative techniques for which they have been trained in and must have completed any and all requirements for that course/level.

Apply for a Specialized Educational Course