Pharmaceuticals and Physical Therapy: Movement with Medication

Course overview

Familiarity and interest regarding pharmaceutical therapy presents a point of relative naivety in relation to physical therapy. While cognizant of relative pharmaceutical effects, physical rehabilitation has yet to develop a firm understanding of pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics in relation to functional movement. This dynamic relationship presents opportunities for functional progression as well as potential pitfalls. The presence of pharmaceuticals in medical care requires continued efforts by physical therapist to be steadfast in professional examination practices, and prioritize patient safety relative to pharmaceutical therapy efforts. Currently, physical therapy evaluation, regardless of setting, should include thorough understanding of a patient’s pharmaceutical regimen, and the potential effects on activity tolerance and functional capability. This course will identify chemical and physiologic components of pharmacology and describe the pharmaceutical effects upon the autonomic and central nervous systems. Additionally, this course will describe and assess fundamental pharmacokinetic processes, construct the role of physical rehabilitation in the context of sedatives, hypnotics and multi-modal anesthetics, and assess the role and objective danger associated with opioid prescription.