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Clinical Practice Guidelines

To support evidence-based practice, we provide relevant clinical practice guidelines for APTA members. (These were previously housed at PTNow.) 

These CPGs are based on a systematic review of the evidence and published by APTA, APTA sections and academies, or by other health care associations, organizations, and societies. None of the CPGs were written by individuals. APTA does not endorse any of these guidelines unless specifically noted.

Guidelines are provided to assist in clinical decision making, not to take the place of clinician judgment.

Some CPGs include a CPG+ analysis, a translation aid for applying CPGs to practice, including an Appraisal of Guidelines for Research and Evaluation II, or AGREE II, conducted by a team of experts.

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Telerehabilitation in Physical Therapist Practice: A Clinical Practice Guideline From the American Physical Therapy Association

March 21, 2024 | CPG

Patient Age: Preschool Child (2-5), Child (6-12), Adolescent (13-18), Young Adult (19-24), Adult (25-44), Middle Aged (45-64), Aged (65+), 80 and over (80+)
Condition & Symptoms: Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, Cardiac Conditions, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), Heart Failure, Low Back Pain, Parkinson Disease, Respiratory Conditions, Stroke, Whiplash Injuries, Total Hip Arthroplasty, Total Knee Arthroplasty, Osteoarthritis of the Knee

WHO Guideline for Nonsurgical Management of Chronic Primary Low Back Pain in Adults in Primary and Community Care Settings

December 7, 2023 | CPG

Patient Age: Young Adult (19-24), Adult (25-44), Middle Aged (45-64), Aged (65+), 80 and over (80+)
Condition & Symptoms: Low Back Pain

VA/DoD CPG for Diagnosis and Treatment of Low Back Pain (CPG+)

February 1, 2022 | CPG

Patient Age: 80 and over (80+), Young Adult (19-24), Aged (65+), Middle Aged (45-64), Adult (25-44)
Condition & Symptoms: Chronic Pain, Low Back Pain

Low Back Pain Medical Treatment Guidelines

December 20, 2021 | CPG

Patient Age: Aged (65+), Adult (25-44), Young Adult (19-24), Middle Aged (45-64)
Condition & Symptoms: Low Back Pain, Occupational Injuries

APTA Academy of Orthopaedic Physical Therapy: Interventions for the Management of Acute and Chronic Low Back Pain: Revision 2021 (CPG+)

October 31, 2021 | CPG

Patient Age: 80 and over (80+), Adult (25-44), Aged (65+), Middle Aged (45-64), Young Adult (19-24)
Condition & Symptoms: Chronic Pain, Low Back Pain

APTA Academy of Orthopaedic Physical Therapy: Clinical Guidance to Optimize Work Participation After Injury or Illness: The Role of Physical Therapists (CPG+)

August 1, 2021 | CPG

Patient Age: Young Adult (19-24), Adult (25-44), Middle Aged (45-64)
Condition & Symptoms: Low Back Pain, Occupational Injuries