This list is not all-inclusive or a standard but it gives you an idea of what is commonly being used. For instance, abbreviations like rheumatoid arthritis (RA) are used to identify the treated condition while motor vehicle accident (MVA) or total hip arthroplasty (THA) are used to identify the cause for treatment. Stay on top of the latest rehab therapy tips, trends, and best practices with our weekly blog digest. , a career development resource designed to help physical, occupational, and speech therapy professionals leverage their degrees in non-clinical ways. Assistive devices - You use these devices to assist in completing your normal daily activities. Suggest. AE. PT is an abbreviation for your title as described on your state license (Physical Therapist), whereas DPT is the credentials you receive after graduating with your Doctor of Physical Therapy degree. Gait training is a set of exercises that are specifically implemented by your physical therapist to help you walk better. Physical therapy is a medical field, which means that all your body parts have abbreviations. If you believe that this Physiopedia article is the primary source for the information you are refering to, you can use the button below to access a related citation statement. View our Association Profile for a high-level overview of APTA. Most common WBOS abbreviation full forms updated in January 2023 Range of motion is one common reason that you are going to physical therapy. See how WebPT helps you over your biggest business hurdles. When laying out your physical therapy documentation needs, such as the development of a SOAP note, procedure abbreviations you can expect to write include three times a day (TID), date of surgery (DOS), and history of (H/o). Abbreviations are used for many reasons in physical therapy: 1. Not every term fits nice and neatly under a header. There are many different abbreviations floating around out there, and we felt it made sense to create a comprehensive guide to PT shorthand. Current Issues in Physical Therapy in 2023 and How to Tackle Them, Four Key Physical Therapist Characteristics To Look For When Hiring, 4 Ways To Increase Profit In Your Physical Therapy Practice, Physical Therapist Burnout: Causes and Prevention, 3 Effective Physical Therapy Practice SEO Techniques. Both are qualified to examine and treat people with movement difficulties. Easily the best documentation software I've ever used. Closed-chain exercises mean your body is pushing against a fixed surface while open-chain exercises are freely moving. Therapy Abbreviation. PT professionals often jokingly refer to the jumble of letters following our names as the alphabet soup of physical therapy. Indeed, if you consider the many designations and certifications out there, it can start to look excessive! BPI: Brief Pain Inventory. active range of motion. These points of contact may be body parts e.g. above knee amputation. These treatment abbreviations will be used to improve inflammation, circulation and pain. And if they use a term you don't know when talking to you, ask them to explain it. Physical Therapy: Patient Questions. AET Advanced Exercise TherapistART Active Release TechniquesATC Athletic Trainer, CertifiedCAFS Certification in Applied Functional ScienceCAPP-OB Certificate of Achievement in Pregnancy and Postpartum Physical TherapyCAPP-Pelvic Certificate of Achievement in Pelvic Physical TherapyCCI Certified Clinical InstructorCCM Certified Case ManagerCCP Clinical Certification ProgramCCS Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Certified Specialist *CCVT- Certified Clinical Vestibular TherapistCDE Certified Diabetes EducatorCEAS -Certified Ergonomic Assessment SpecialistCEES Certified Ergonomic Evaluator SpecialistCFCE Certified Functional Capacity EvaluatorCFMT Certified Functional Manual TherapistCHC Certified in Healthcare ComplianceCHT Certified Hand TherapistCKTP -Certified Kinesio Taping PractitionerCLT Certified Lymphedema TherapistCOMT Certified Orthopedic Manual TherapistCPHQ Certified Professional in Healthcare QualityCPHRM Certified Professional in Healthcare Risk ManagementCPT Certified Personal TrainerCPT Certified Pilates TeacherCREX Certification in Rehabilitative ExerciseCSCS Certified Strength and Conditioning SpecialistCST Craniosacral Therapist/TherapyCST-D Craniosacral Therapy DiplomateCVT Clinical Vestibular TherapistCWCE Certified Work Capacity EvaluatorCWS Certified Wound SpecialistCYI Certified Yoga InstructorCYT Certified Yoga TherapistDMT Doctor of Manual TherapyDWC Diabetic Wound CertifiedECS Clinical Electrophysiologic Certified Specialist *EdD Doctor of EducationFAAOMPT Fellow of the American Academy of Orthopedic Manual Physical TherapistsFAFS Fellow of Applied Functional ScienceFCE Functional Capacity EvaluatorFOC Functional Orthopedic CertificationGCFP Guild Certified Feldenkrais PractitionerGCS Geriatric Certified Specialist *HHP Holistic Health PractitionerJSCC Jones Strain Counterstrain CertifiedLLE Lymphedema Lower Extremity CertifiedLMP Licensed Massage PractitionerLMT Licensed Massage TherapistMBA Master of Business AdministrationMDT Diploma in Mechanical Diagnosis and TherapyMHA Master of Healthcare AdministrationMTC Manual Therapy CertifiedNCS Neurologic Certified Specialist *NDT Neuro-developmental Treatment CertifiedOCS Orthopedic Certified Specialist *PAS Postural Alignment SpecialistPCS Pediatric Certified Specialist *PhD Doctor of PhilosophyRHIA Registered Health Information AdministratorSCS Sports Certified Specialist *WCC Wound Care CertifiedWCS Womens Certified Specialist * * Designates an official certification within the American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties, BSPT bachelor of science in physical therapyCDE certified diabetes educatorCOTA certified occupational therapy assistantDPT doctor of physical therapyLPT licensed physical therapistMD medical doctorMPT master of physical therapyOT occupational therapist/therapyOTA occupational therapy assistantOTD occupational therapy doctorateOTR/L occupational therapist, registered/licensedPT physical therapist/therapyDPT doctor of physical therapyPTA physical therapist assistantRN registered nurseRPT registered physical therapistRT respiratory therapist/therapySLP speech-language pathologist/pathologySLPA speech-language pathology assistant. active assistive range of motion. This article is divided into two sections: clinical terminology and professional terminology. Most popular Physical Therapy abbreviations updated in February 2023. Gross motor - These are the muscles you use for big movements, like walking or running. Physical Therapy Abbreviations: 170 Most Common Terms for PTs. ATC - Athletic Trainer Certified. As with the many different diseases and conditions a physical therapist must document, there are also numerous physical therapy abbreviations that are used for the identification of the accompanying treatments. Activities of daily living (ADLs) - These are the activities that you do to care for yourself like bathing, dressing and feeding yourself. wbos physical therapy abbreviation. To find out what your disease, diagnosis or body part abbreviation means, check them here. By Laura Inverarity, DO When I finally learned how to document correctly, it saved me about 30 to 60 minutes a day. BAPS Biomechanical Ankle Platform System, COTA certifi ed occupational therapy assistant, COPD Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, F, 3/5 fair (in reference to manual muscle testing), FES Functional Electrical Stimulation, G, 4/5 good (in reference to manual muscle testing), IDDM insuline dependent diabetes mellitus, MENS microcurrent electrical nerve stimulator, NIDDM non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus, N/T numbness and tingling or not tested, OTR registered occupational therapist, PNF Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation, SNAGS Sustained Natural Apophyseal Glides, TENS transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulator. 1173185. Understanding the basics of PT-related terms can help you gain a fuller understanding of your rehab. Sit stands with one hand Level 3 1. WBOS - What does WBOS stand for? After your initial assessment, your PT is going to set a treatment course to help improve your life. and Verywell Health's content is for informational and educational purposes only. Hip circles with no hands 7. A clinic may wish to develop a key of frequently used abbreviations on most documentation forms or request that therapists completely spell any word the first time it is written with the shortened form in parentheses; for example, "American Physical Therapy Association (APTA)." Physical Therapy Abbreviations 19. Deformity - This is when a body part or bone is different than what it normally would be. https://www.webpt.com/blog/post/the-most-common-physical-therapy-abbreviations/, https://www.hse.ie/eng/about/who/qid/quality-and-patient-safety-documents/abbreviations.pdf, https://www.physio-pedia.com/index.php?title=Abbreviations_in_physiotherapy&oldid=325372, Except when used as part of an approved abbreviation, Avoided unless used as part of an official grading system, Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment or Contact Guard Assist, electroencephalogram, electroencephalograph, Gross Motor Function Classification Scale, Intermittent positive pressure ventilation, Intermittent positive pressure respiration, National Institute of Health Stroke Scale, Neurosensory Motor Developmental Assessment, proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation, physiotherapy/ physical therapy, physiotherapist/, Paediatric Evaluation of Disability Inventory, Superior labrum anterior-posterior lesion, subjective, objective, assessment, plan, Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation, Paediatric functional independence measure. So, well update this article periodically as we learn of more exciting certifications and specializations! The RPE scale is used to measure the intensity of your exercise. Andersen Ross Photography Inc / DigitalVision / Getty Images. WBOS Meaning What does WBOS mean as an abbreviation? Do you see any common abbreviations that have been left out? Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy 124 West Street South, Third Floor Alexandria, VA 22314 Phone 703-299-3100 Fax 703 . Let us know in the comments and well add them. Abbreviation for Therapy: 18 Categories. This definition appears frequently and is found in the following Acronym Finder categories: Science, medicine, engineering, etc. New comments cannot be posted and votes cannot be cast. Physiopedia is not a substitute for professional advice or expert medical services from a qualified healthcare provider. feet or hands, or they may include things like crutches or the chair a person is sitting in. If you want to build a successful physical therapy clinic, there are a few non-negotiables youll want 7 Invisible Reasons Patients Arent Choosing Your PT Practice. That is usually the journal article where the information was first stated. Physical therapy equipment encompasses a wide range of resources and tools to meet the unique treatment, assessment, movement, and exercise needs of a patient. AAROM active assistive range of motionABD abductionAC acromioclavicularACDF anterior cervical discectomy and fusionACJ acromioclavicular jointACL anterior cruciate ligamentAD assistive deviceADD adductionADL activity/activities of daily livingAFO ankle foot orthosisAICD automated implantable cardiac defibrillatorAKA above-knee amputationAmb ambulationA/P anterior/posteriorAROM active range of motionB bilateralBID twice a dayBKA below-knee amputationc (with a line over it) withCABG coronary artery bypass graft (open heart surgery)CGA contact guard assistCKC closed kinetic chainC/O complains ofCP cold pack, cerebral palsyCPM continuous passive motionCTx cervical tractionDDD degenerative disc diseaseDF dorsiflexionDJD degenerative joint diseaseEEG electroencephalogramEOB edge of bedER external rotationEstim or ES electrical stimulationEV eversionEx exerciseEx Lap exploratory laparotomy or laparoscopyExt (or /) extensionFIM functional independence level (also called FIM score)Flex (or ) flexionFWB full weight-bearingFx fractureFWW front-wheeled walkerGHJ glenohumeral jointHEP home exercise programHKAFO hip-knee-ankle foot orthosisHNP herniated nucleus pulposus (herniated disc)H/o history ofHOB head of bedHoriz horizontalHP hot packHVGS high-voltage galvanic stimulationHx historyI (or Ind) independentI&D incision and drainage (debridement)ICD-10 10th revision: International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health ProblemsInv inversionIonto iontophoresisIR internal rotationITB iliotibial bandKAFO knee ankle foot orthosisL leftLAQ long-arc quadLBQC large-base quad caneLCL lateral collateral ligamentLE lower extremityLOA level of assistLOS length of stayLP leg pressLSO lumbosacral orthosisLTG long-term goalsMax A maximum assistMCL medial collateral ligamentMD medical doctorMFR myofascial releaseMHP moist hot packMin A minimum assistMm muscleMMT manual muscle testMob mobilizationMod I modified independentNBQC narrow base quad caneNDT neuro-developmental techniqueNMES neuromuscular electrical stimulationNWB non-weight bearingOKC open kinetic chainOOB out of bedPCL posterior cruciate ligamentPF plantarflexionPfin paraffin bathPFS patellofemoral syndromePhono phonophoresisPMX (or PMHx) past medical historyPNF proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitationPro pronationPROM passive range of motionPt patientPUW pick-up walkerPWB partial weight bearingPD peritoneal dialysisPEG percutaneous endoscopic gastrotomyPICC peripherally inserted central catheterPLIF posterior lumbar interbody fusionQ everyQC quad caneQD every dayQID four times a dayR rightRC rotator cuffRD radial deviationRICE rest, ice, compression, elevationRN registered nurseROM range of motionRot rotationRT respiratory therapist/therapyRW rolling walkerRx treatmentS (with a line over a lower cased S) withoutSAQ short arc quadSB side bending (or Swiss ball)SBA stand-by assistSBQC small base quad caneSC straight caneSLR straight leg raiseSPC single-point caneSTM soft tissue mobilizationSTS sit-to-standSup supinationSW standard walkerTB TheraBand, tuberculosisTDWB touch-down weight bearingTENS transcutaneous electrical neuromuscular stimulationTHA total hip arthroplastyTher Ex therapeutic exerciseTHR total hip replacementTID three times a dayTKA total knee arthroplastyTKR total knee replacementTLSO thoracic lumbar sacral orthosisTLIF transforaminal lumbar interbody fusionTM treadmillTMJ temporomandibular jointTotal A total assistTrxn tractionTTWB toe-touch weight bearingUBE upper body ergometerUD ulnar deviationUE upper extremityUS ultrasoundWBAT weight bearing as toleratedWBQC wide-base quad caneWC (or w/c) wheelchairWFL within functional limitsWNL within normal limitsWW wheeled walker4WW four-wheeled walker# pounds. by Dr. Nora Mraz II Published 1 year ago Updated 6 months ago What is the abbreviation for Physical Therapy? Approved abbreviations may be used in place of the term or phrase they represent. Consider these seven categories of common physical therapy terms, along with relevant examples, to gauge which abbreviations would work best in your unique physical therapy practice. Here are 170 of the most common physical therapy abbreviations. This website is using a security service to protect itself from online attacks. Contact Guard Assist. Archived post. Activities of daily living (ADLs) - These are the activities that you do to care for yourself like bathing, dressing and feeding yourself. BWSTT: Bodyweight Supported Treadmill Training. 1 An OT's goal is often to help clients participate in daily life as independently as possible, and ADLs are the most basic level that the therapist assesses. 13 short forms of Therapy. Approved abbreviations may vary widely by facility, area of practice, and geographical location. NBOS no hands 3. After your initial assessment, your PT is going to set a treatment course to help improve your life. Deformity - This is when a body part or bone is different than what it normally would be. These therapeutic modalities might include exercises and other forms of treatment, like ultrasound and electrical stimulation, to get things up and moving again. Get some of the basic terms and abbreviations that you might find at physical therapy. Here are some of the abbreviations and shorthand terms commonly seen in physical therapy documentation. Examples include crutches and walkers. Gross motor - These are the muscles you use for big movements, like walking or running. PCL: Posterior cruciate ligament. If you are going to physical therapy, it means that you are trying to improve your range of motion or reduce your pain. I've compiled a list of the most common terms and abbreviations that you'll probably see while shadowing/working in the physical therapy field. Common Physical Therapy Abbreviations A AAROM - active assistive range . Common Physical Therapy Abbreviations A : Before AAROM: Active Assistive Range of Motion ABD: Abduction ACJ: Acromioclavicular Joint ACL: Anterior Cruciate Ligament AD: Assistive Device ADD: Adduction ADL: Activities of Daily Living AFO: Ankle Foot Orthosis (used to treat foot drop) AKA: Above Knee Amputation Amb: Ambulation 12 Categories Suggest to this list Related acronyms and abbreviations Share WBOS Meaning page Abbreviations assist healthcare professionals to streamline documentation and make more effective use of their time. %PDF-1.5 % /piA H[:D2`p(x3dU~Z8AM 6+ Then, youll know when you need an AuD or a DMD. 11. Tim Fraticelli is a Physical Therapist, Certified Financial Planner and founder of PTProgress.com. A number of Physical Therapy abbreviations are used today, so we wanted to provide a comprehensive guide to Physical Therapy acronyms for PTs and PTAs to use to refer to various movements, devices, viewpoints, anatomical landmarks, surgical procedures, and certifications. Suggest new definition Want to thank TFD for its existence? hbbd```b`` Physiotherapy, Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy. Most Common CPT Codes for Physical Therapy. Kinetic chain is a term used to describe the way a human body moves. Yes! Whatever the case, when it comes to range of motion, youll find lots of different PT abbreviations. So, patients come into physical therapy with a lot of different assistive devices, and therapists use different equipment to help them. Well start with the abbreviations that are generally used in clinical practice and documentation. ambulate, ambulated Ant Anterior before abd. These terms are especially relevant in physical therapy, sports medicine, neuro-rehabilitation, prosthetics, orthotics, and other areas of medicine that focus . 2021 PTProgress - Our content does not constitute medical, financial, or legal consultation. This includes even the ones that arent functioning at their best. For student PTs who are just starting in the clinic, its great to review this list in case you run into some language in the documentation that youre not familiar seeing. While the range of motion of a joint can vary from one person to the next, there are expected (normal . How to abbreviate Therapy? %%EOF Another frequent abbreviation is passive range of motion (PROM), to recognize movements aided by something or someone, such as a physical therapist. They also want to help educate you so you can take an active role in your rehab. Performance & security by Cloudflare. AROM. If youre going or have gone to a physical therapist (PT), you might notice that your chart is full of abbreviations and acronyms. They don't expect you to know what every medical term and its abbreviation means. Then, well move on to professional designations. adduction AFO ankle foot orthosis @ at AKA above knee amputee As you already know, there are numerous musculoskeletal conditions and injuries that require patients to rely on the use of various assistive devices. All rights reserved. If you are going to physical therapy, it means that you are trying to improve your range of motion or reduce your pain. Terms by System: MDT - The McKenzie Method or Mechanical Diagnosis and Therapy PDM - pain during movement ERP - end range pain ANR - adherent nerve root A - abolished, or Sx eliminated PT is an abbreviation for your title as described on your state license (Physical Therapist), whereas DPT is the credentials you receive after graduating with your Doctor of Physical Therapy degree. 9. Common physical therapy abbreviations you might see in PT charts or prescriptions include: Some physical therapy abbreviations that you come across are less common and more medical in nature. This program trains individuals to become physiotherapy technologists who are capable of reading and understanding information included in patient files, collecting data required to evaluate the patient's situation, establishing and implementing a treatment plan, modifying treatment based on the situation, updating patient .