The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) has recently published new guidelines for managing low back pain. A few of them have been highlighted in an article on the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy (CSP) website.
- Patients with low back pain will have to be offered a choice of either a structured exercise programme, a course of manual therapy, including manipulation, or a course of acupuncture, by their GP.
- All patients whose pain has lasted more than six weeks must be offered the menu of three types of evidence-based treatment.
- Patients should not be offered therapeutic ultrasound, lumbar supports, or injections of therapeutic substances into their back.
Click here to read the full article on the CSP website.
Here is the latest news from the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy, Inc. (NBCOT).
Beginning June 15, 2009, NBCOT® will only accept credit card payments (MasterCard and Visa) for examination applications and related services such as score transfer and confirmation of examination eligibility notices. Candidates applying for the examination (OTR® or COTA®) must pay by submitting a credit card at the time of application submission. No off-line payments will be accepted. This change is necessary to increase security and decrease processing time enabling candidates to move through the eligibility process in a shorter period of time. Any questions should be directed to NBCOT via email at onlineexamapp@nbcot.org or by phone at 301-990-7979.
For physical therapists who would like to become a Board Certified Clinical Specialist, the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) has announced that applications for the 2010 exam cycle are now available.
The application deadline for specialist certification in Cardiovascular & Pulmonary and Clinical Electrophysiology is July 1, 2009.
The application deadline for all other specialist certifications is July 31, 2009.
Interested applicants should start by downloading the “Application and Info” booklets appropriate to their specialty area.
For more information, click here.
