Advanced Practice Registered Nurse - A person licensed as an advanced practice registered nurse under the Nurse Practice Act.

Board - The Physical Therapy Licensing and Disciplinary Board approved by the Director.

Department - The Department of Professional Regulation.

Director - The Director of Professional Regulation.

Dry Needling - Also known as intramuscular therapy, means an advanced needling skill or technique limited to the treatment of myofascial pain, using a single use, single insertion, sterile filiform needle (without the use of heat, cold, or any other added modality or medication), that is inserted into the skin or underlying tissues to stimulate trigger points. 

Health Care Professional - A physician, dentist, podiatric physician, advanced practice registered nurse, or physician assistant.

Physical Therapy - Examining, evaluating, and testing individuals who may have mechanical, physiological, or developmental impairments, functional limitations, disabilities, or other health and movement-related conditions, classifying these disorders, determining a rehabilitation prognosis and plan of therapeutic intervention, and assessing the ongoing effects of the interventions.

Physical Therapist - A person who practices physical therapy and who has met all requirements as provided in the Illinois Physical Therapy Act.

Physical Therapist Assistant - A person licensed to assist a PT and who has met all requirements as provided in this Act and who works under the supervision of a licensed PT to assist in implementing the physical therapy treatment program as established by the licensed PT. The patient care activities provided by the PTA shall not include the interpretation of referrals, evaluation procedures, or the planning or major modification of patient programs.

Physical Therapy Aide - A person who has received on the job training, specific to the facility in which he is employed.

Physician Assistant - A person licensed under the Physician Assistant Practice Act of 1987.

Referral - A written or oral authorization for physical therapy services for a patient by a physician, dentist, advanced practice registered nurse, physician assistant, or podiatric physician who maintains medical supervision of the patient and makes a diagnosis or verifies that the patient's condition is such that it may be treated by a PT.

State:

• The states of the United States of America;
• The District of Columbia; and
• The Commonwealth of Puerto Rico.

Reference

225 ILCS 90/1