Menu
~ Working with Direct Access and Referral ~
(63/15. Practice of naprapathy defined – Referrals) Section 15. Practice of naprapathy defined; referrals.
Naprapathic practice means the identification, evaluation and treatment of persons with connective tissue disorders through the use of naprapathic case history and palpation or treatment of persons by the use of connective tissue manipulation, therapeutic and rehabilitative exercise, postural counseling, nutritional counseling, and the use of the effective properties of physical measures of heat, cold, light, water, radiant energy, electricity, sound and air, and assistive devices for the purpose of preventing, correcting, or alleviating a physical disability.
Naprapathic practice includes, but is not limited to, the treatment of contractures, muscle spasms, inflammation, scar tissue formation, adhesions, lesions, laxity, hypotonicity, rigidity, structural imbalance, bruising, contusions, muscular atrophy, and partial separation of connective tissue fibers.
Naprapathic practice also includes: (a) performance of specialized tests and measurements, (b) administration
of specialized treatment procedures, (c) interpretation of referrals from licensed physicians, dentists, and podiatrists, (d) establishment and modification of naprapathic treatment programs, and (e) supervision or teaching of naprapathy.
Naprapathic practices does not include radiology, surgery, pharmacology, invasive diagnostic testing, or determination of a differential diagnosis; provided, however, the limitation on determining a differential diagnosis shall not in any manner limit a naprapath licensed under this Act from performing an evaluation authorized under this Act.
A naprapath licensed under this Act who is not also licensed as a physical therapist under the Illinois Physical Therapy Act shall not hold himself or herself out as qualified to provide physical therapy or physiotherapy services. Nothing in this Section shall limit a naprapath from employing appropriate naprapathic techniques that he or she is educated and licensed to perform. A naprapath shall refer to a licensed physician, dentist, or podiatrist any patient whose medical condition should, at the time of evaluation or treatment, be determined to be beyond the scope of practice of the naprapath.
Section 25. Title and designation of licensed naprapaths.
Every person to whom a valid existing license as a naprapath has been issued under this Act shall be designated professionally a “naprapath”, and not otherwise, and any licensed naprapath may, in connection with the practice of his profession, use the title or designation of “naprapath”, and, if entitled by degree from a college or university recognized by the Department, may use the title of “Doctor of Naprapathy” or the abbreviation “D.N.” When the name of the licensed naprapath is used professionally in oral, written, or printed announcements, professional cards, or publications for the information of the public and is preceded by the title “Doctor” or the abbreviation “Dr.”, the explanatory designation of “naprapath”, “naprapathy”, “Doctor of Naprapathy”, or the designation “D.N.” shall be added immediately following title and name.
