Name of Course: Physical Therapy I

Term and Year: Winter 2016

Department Name/Director: Instruction / Feinberg
Course Number: CHPR 71314
Quarter: 7th
Credit Hours: 4 / week
Lecture Contact Hours/Week: 5/week
Lab Contact Hours/Week: 1/week
Approximate Outside Course Hours/Week: 6/week
Meeting Times of the Course: Mon: 2:00 2:50
Tues: 10:30 12:15
Thur: 2:00 3:50
Prerequisites/Corequisites:
Instructors Name(s): Feinberg
Office Hours and Contact Information:
Campus Voice Mail: 408-944-6070
Office Hours: By Appointment

e-mail: feinberg_e@palmer.edu

Lab Instructors Name(s): Lew

Lab Instructors Office Hours and Contact Information:
Campus Voice Mail:
e-mail: lew_m@palmer.edu
Office Hours: By Appointment
Required texts: none
Required Reading: Review PAS notes
Required Equipment: Various Physical Therapy Modalities
Recommended Texts: Physical Agents for the Physical Therapist, Griffith & Karsellis
Physical Therapy, Paul Jaskoviac
Thermal Agents in Rehabilitation, Michlovitz
Therapeutic Electricity and Ultraviolet Radiation, Stillwell
Cryotherapy, Knight
Handbook of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Kruzen
Therapeutic Heat and Cold, Kruzen
Management of Common Musculoskeletal Disorders, Kessler & Hertling
Facilities/Equipment: Various Physical Therapy Modalities
PowerPoint Projector / White Board
Catalogue Description: Study of the physiological principles underlying the use of those physical therapy
modalities and procedures supportive of the chiropractic approach to health care.
COURSE GOALS:
1. To provide an understanding of injury evaluation that allows the student to determine the phases of healing
and severity of injury necessary to proper modality selection and use.
2. To provide physical, physiologic, and therapeutic information about each physical therapy modality so as to
allow proper selection, as well as safe and effective use, of physical therapy modalities.

3. To encourage the development of critical thinking as pertains to the mechanisms involved in determining
indications and contraindications of the modalities discussed.
Purpose of the Physical Therapy I Lab:
1. To be familiar with all the PT equipment in the PCCW treatment areas.
2. To be able to accurately identify and differentiate between each type of equipment.
3. To know the contraindications for each type of modality.
4. To know the indications for each type of modality.
5. To know how to correctly set up the equipment for the treatment of various indications.
6. To demonstrate competence and safety in describing and using the equipment and all its uses and contraindications.

COURSE OBJECTIVES:
At the conclusion of this course students should be able to:
1. Given a stage of healing (i.e. acute, sub-acute, or chronic) the student will be able to describe the pathophysiologic processes, the
risks of contraindicated therapies, and the theoretical basis of proper therapeutic modalities.
2. Given a physical therapy modality, the student will be able to describe the basic physics, normal physiologic effects, proper
methods of application, and the appropriate indications / contraindications.
3. Given a clinical scenario with diagnosis, severity, and other relevant patient factors, the student will be able to choose all
appropriate modalities as well as all those which would be contraindicated.

Outside Learning Activities: Students are required to review lecture material and references, and prepare for
laboratory sessions.
Description of Teaching Methods: Lecture & in class question/answer sessions. Lab practical sessions.
Description of Learner Evaluation Methods: : First week quiz short answer and essay
Midterm Scantron / Multiple choice
Final Scantron / Multiple choice
Laboratory Grading:
1)
2)

3)

Unannounced quizzes or assignments may be given. They will not count to the grade.
Each week each student will be expected to demonstrate adequate and safe usage of one of the modalities. The student will be checked off on
each modality by the end of the quarter. It is essential to keep up with this as it will reflect on the students final.
In the 10th week, there will be an oral, hands-on final examination testing at least 2 of the physical therapy modalities. It is expected that the
student will be able to use the equipment safely and efficiently.

GRADING PROCEDURE:

: First week quiz 5 points

Total Scores may be slightly curved
Midterm 47 points
Final 48 points
Lecture total: 100 pts. / Lab total: 25 points.

A: 90%
B: 80%
C: 70%
F: <60%
This course must be passed with a grade of C or better. If a student earns an F the course will be repeated.

R GRADE: Failure to attain a C (70% or better), but not an F grade (below 60%) or I grade, will result in a

grade of R (course Remediation). The highest possible grade that can be achieved after completed the R testing
process is a C. Failing to meet the conditions outlined on the R Form by Wednesday of the 1 st week of the
following quarter will result in an F grade and the student must repeat the course in its entirety. One must pass
lecture and lab portions independently to avoid R grade.
I (Incomplete) GRADE: signifies that acceptable cause prevented the student from completely fulfilling the
objectives of the course. This grade will not be awarded unless the student can achieve a passing grade. The policy
for this grade assumes the student failed to fulfill the objectives of the course due to an acceptable cause such as:
authorized absence from the College or other legitimate reasons such as mandatory religious obligations,
unavoidable events, College supported activities that are approved by Academic Affairs, or illness. IN THIS
COURSE, illnesses will require a note from a licensed health professional which states necessary non-attendance.
All other acceptable cases will require a written explanation from the student and verification, i.e., copies of plane
tickets for College supported travel, etc. These notes are to be given to the instructor on the students first day back
at the College following absence. Personal activities are NOT acceptable cause to miss an exam. Missing an exam
without acceptable cause may be deemed as cheating and may result in the filing of a charge of ethical misconduct.
Failing to meet the conditions outlined on the I Form by Wednesday of the 1 st week of the following quarter will
result in an F grade and the student must repeat the course in its entirety.
R and I Remake Exams will take place the 1st week of the following quarter and will be scheduled as follows:
Lecture Exams are scheduled through Cindy Hart regardless of whether they are midterms, finals, or
comprehensive exams;
Lab Exams are scheduled according to the instructors set appointment time set out on the form received
which specifies location, date and time.
NOTE: IF ANY EXAMS CONFLICTS WITH OTHER EXAMS, THE STUDENT MUST RESOLVE THE
CONFLICT(S) THROUGH CINDY HART (cindy.hart@palmer.edu).
AF GRADE: Attendance will be recorded by the instructor at any convenient time during the class session. Any
student not present at the time attendance is taken will not receive credit for that entire class hour. As per school
policy, any student absent greater than 15% of class time will receive a grade of AF. Excused absences do not
exclude the student from required mandatory attendance hours, and missed class time cannot be made up! A grade
of AF may be appealed. The appeal form, available in the Office of the Registrar) should be presented in writing
and in-person to the Dean of Student Academic Affairs.
Student conduct and CLASS policies:
Student conduct and College policies: (Please refer to the current Palmer student handbook for complete details.)
Academic Integrity: Students are expected to comply with Palmers Student Code of Ethics. Students are strongly encouraged to carefully
read the entire Student Code of Ethics as published in the Student Handbook. Cheating, plagiarism, other acts of dishonesty and/or any other
violation of Palmers Student Code of Ethics may result in the filing of a charge of misconduct under the Student Disciplinary Code as
described in the Student Handbook. Students charged with misconduct will be assigned a grade of Incomplete until the charge(s) is
concluded in accordance with the Student Disciplinary Code as described in the Student Handbook. Sanctions up to and including denial of
academic credit, suspension or dismissal from the College may be imposed upon students found to have violated the Code of Student Ethics.
Please refer to the Palmer Student Handbook. You may access the Student Handbook online at: http://www.palmer.edu/news2.aspx?id=1688
Further, students, as a condition of admission, agree to abide by all Palmer College of Chiropractic regulations contained in the College
Catalog, Student Handbook, other publications and notices placed on official College bulletin boards including its website.
Academic Adjustments for Qualified Students with Disabilities: Palmer College of Chiropractic makes reasonable academic adjustments
for qualified students with disabilities, as required by law. Any qualified student with a disability who requires a reasonable academic
adjustment to perform the academic and technical standards requisite to participation in this course is to contact the Disabilities Coordinator
to request such an academic adjustment.
Religious Observance: In order to accommodate an individual students participation in religious observances, Palmer College requires that
the student advises each of their instructors, in writing, at the beginning of an academic term the holiday and date of observance the student
is requesting relief from their course(s). This policy does not in any way release the student from the responsibility of satisfying all
requirements necessary for the successful completion of any course.

ELECTRONIC DEVICES: Noise or DISTRACTION due to electronic devices is disruptive to the classroom
environment and will not be tolerated. Phones and laptops are to be silenced while in the classroom. Laptop use is
limited to course related activities only. Checking e-mail, Facebook, YouTube, etc. is NOT course related activity. If
you choose to use your laptop/phone for non-course related and/or distracting activity, you will be asked to shut
down your device and/or leave the classroom. TEXTING DURING CLASS IS UNACCEPTABLE.

*PLEASE NOTE THE FOLLOWING:

It is the students responsibility to notify the instructor by the second week of school of any
documented special needs or learning disabilities which qualify for academic accommodations
so that appropriate arrangements can be made.
Any student who is repeating this class or who has a conflict with another course must arrange
a meeting with the instructor by the second week of the quarter.
COURSE LECTURE AND READING SCHEDULE BY WEEK AND TOPIC:
Week 1

Introduction / Heat

Week 2

Superficial Heat / Diathermy

Week 3

Diathermy / Ultrasound

Week 4

Ultrasound / Ultraviolet

Week 5

Midterm Midterm date may vary depending on lecture status

Week 6 Electrical Therapies

Week 7 Electrical Therapies
Week 8

Electrical Therapies

Week 9 Therapeutic Exercise

Week 10 Orthoses
Week 11 FINAL EXAM
Lab Outline:
Course Outline:
Week

Date of that week

Lab Subject

1
2
3
4
5
6
7

Core Strengthening and Low Back exercises

Continue
Superficial Heat
Shortwave Diathermy (SWD) + Microwave Diathermy (MWD)
Ultrasound (US) + Ultraviolet Light (UV)
Cyrotherapy (Cold, Ice)

8
9

continue
Introduction to taping / orthoses (This class will be eliminated in the case of a 9
week quarter)
Lab Final 25 points.

10

Electrical Modalities Motor Nerve Stimulation (HVG / Faradic (low volt generator/sine wave), TENS,
Electrochemical (smoothwave galvanic), Denervated Muscle Stimulation, Reaction of Degeneration

Syllabus may be amended in writing: The information in this syllabus is subject to change in extenuating
circumstances. Changes will be provided to the student in writing prior to the event.