Course Layout

Our physical agent modalities practitioner-credentialing course is comprised of twelve modules. Upon completion of this course, practitioners receive 45 contact hours of continuing education credit (awarded in conjunction with Saginaw Valley State University, Michigan). The entire course is comprised of three parts. The breakdown of the course and continuing education contact hours awarded is as follows (module objectives can be found as a separate attachment):

Part 1: Didactic Coursework
National and State Rules, Regulations, Position Papers 1 hour
Superficial Surface Anatomy 2 hours
Wound Healing 2 hours
Pain Theory
  1. Understanding Pain
  2. Intervention Strategies
  
  • 1 hour
  • 1 hour
Superficial Thermal Agents (hot packs, paraffin, fluidotherapy, light) 2 hours
Deep Thermal Agents (Ultrasound, Phonophoresis) 2 hours
Cryotherapy (cold pack, ice massage, contrasting baths) 2 hours
Electrotherapy
  1. Understanding the basis for Electrotherapy
  2. Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation
  3. Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation
  
  • 2 hours
  • 1 hour
  • 2 hours
Clinical Pharmacology 1 hour
Iontophoresis 1 hour
Total 20 hours
Part 2: Two Day Weekend Workshop
Hands on lab experience 14 hours
Comprehensive test over the didactic and workshop materials 2 hours
Total 16 hours
Part 3: Supervised Clinical Application of PAMs
Ten thermal applications 4.5 hours
Ten electrical applications 4.5 hours
Total 9 hours

Note: Supervised Clinical Application of PAMs are supervised by either an OT or a PT currently certified to use physical agent modalities in their state.