Chapter I: Physiotherapists

Physiotherapy consists of manual or instrumental procedures, particularly for re-education purposes, the aim of which is to prevent the deterioration of functional capacities, to help maintain them and, when they are impaired, to restore or compensate for them. They are adapted to scientific and technical developments.

In carrying out their activity, physiotherapists take account of the psychological, social, economic and cultural characteristics of each patient, at all stages of life. The masseur-physiotherapist communicates to the doctor any information in his possession likely to be useful in establishing the medical diagnosis or adapting the treatment according to the person’s state of health and its evolution. As part of the medical prescription, the physiotherapist draws up a report…

Massage is any external manoeuvre performed on tissues, with or without a therapeutic aim, either manually or by means of equipment other than electrotherapy equipment, with or without the use of products, which involves methodical, mechanical or reflex mobilisation or stimulation of these tissues.

Medical gymnastics refers to the performance and monitoring of corrective or compensatory neuromuscular re-education activities, carried out for therapeutic or preventive purposes in order to avoid the onset or aggravation of a condition. To this end, the masseur-physiotherapist uses postures and passive, active, active aided or resisted joint mobilisation, with the exception of ergotherapy techniques.

On medical prescription, the masseur-physiotherapist is authorised to take part in the following re-education treatments: 1° Re-education involving a system or appliance: a) Orthopaedic re-education ; b) Neurological rehabilitation ; c) Re-education for traumatic or non-traumatic conditions of the musculoskeletal system ; d) Respiratory rehabilitation ; e) Cardiovascular rehabilitation, subject to the provisions of article R. 4321-8 ; f) Re-education of vascular and lymphatic trophic disorders; 2° Re-education concerning after-effects…

The masseur-physiotherapist is authorised to carry out all assessments required for the treatments mentioned in article R. 4321-5, and to adapt and monitor the equipment and means of assistance.

For the implementation of the treatments mentioned in article R. 4321-5, the masseur-physiotherapist is authorised to use the following techniques and carry out the following procedures: 1° Massages, in particular manual lymphatic drainage ; 2° Postures and acts of joint mobilisation mentioned in article R. 4321-4 ; 3° Manual mobilisation of all joints, excluding forceful manoeuvres, in particular spinal manipulation and reduction of bone displacement; 4° Musculo-tendinous stretching ; 5°…

On medical prescription, and provided that a doctor can intervene at any time, the masseur-physiotherapist is authorised : 1° To carry out vertebral elongations by mechanical traction, using manual or electrical means; 2° Participate in the cardiovascular re-education of subjects suffering from recent myocardial infarction and record electrocardiograms during cardiovascular re-education sessions, the interpretation of which is reserved for the doctor; 3° To participate in respiratory re-education.

Within the framework of the treatments prescribed by the doctor and during the rehabilitation undertaken, the masseur-physiotherapist is authorised : 1° To take blood pressure and pulse ; 2° During respiratory rehabilitation : a) perform nasopharyngeal aspirations and tracheal aspirations on a patient with a tracheotomy or who has been intubated ; b) administering aerosols of non-medicated products or medicinal products prescribed by the doctor, prior to or in conjunction…

In the event of an emergency and in the absence of a doctor, the masseur-physiotherapist is authorised to perform the necessary first aid measures until a doctor intervenes. A report of the acts performed under these conditions is given to the doctor as soon as he intervenes.