Connecticut advisory panel debates removing referral and education rules for spinal manipulation

A Connecticut Department of Public Health advisory committee spent the meeting weighing a request from the state Physical Therapy Association to remove two statutory requirements tied to grade‑5 (high‑velocity, low‑amplitude) spinal manipulation: the requirement that a patient be referred by a licensed provider and the statute’s 40‑hour/manual‑therapy specification for that procedure.

Joseph Gorbicki, speaking for the PT Association, said the technique “is part of every doctor physical therapy curriculum” and is required by national accreditation standards. He told the committee the maneuver is performed without a referral in 48 other states and that modern DPT programs and mandatory continuing education already ensure competence and patient safety.

Opponents urged caution. Matt Pagano, who reviewed historical practice‑act changes, questioned whether current education levels justified removing century‑old statutory safeguards: “I just find it a little strange that originally, in the interest of…