Physical Agents Syllabus for 2025-2026
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Instructor Information

Course Information

AI Statement

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Title IX and Sexual Misconduct Reporting

Amarillo College prohibits discrimination and harassment based on sex, including sexual harassment, sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence, and stalking, under Title IX and Texas Education Code §51.253–255. Faculty and staff are mandatory reporters and must share any related concerns with the Title IX Coordinator at titleix@actx.edu. Reports and additional information are available at https://www.actx.edu/hr/title-ixtitle-ix. Confidential counseling and advocacy services are available through the Counseling Center and Advocacy & Resource Center.

Recording Policy

Disability Statement

If you have a disability (learning, mental, physical) that affects your ability to participate effectively and have access to any program or service at Amarillo College please contact Disability Services at (806) 345-5639 . Our offices are located in the Enrollment Center, Suite 700. More information may be found at www.actx.edu/disability.
Disability Services facilitates access to all programs and services according to the ADA, Americans with Disabilities Act and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, as well as other federal and state laws.

Amarillo College Web Accessibility Policy Statement

Amarillo College is committed to providing equal access to all programs and services, including all working, learning, and service environments that affect equal access for persons with disabilities. This commitment to provide equal access and opportunity for persons with disabilities is in compliance with federal and state law. Amarillo College also strives to provide Electronic and Information Resources (EIR) that are accessible to all authorized users.

If you find you are unable to access material in an accessible format please contact the Disability Services Office at (806) 345-5639 . This office will work in conjunction with other campus resources to address and accommodate your issue in a timely manner.

Statement for Mental Health and Advocacy & Resource Center:

As a student you may experience a range of issues that can cause barriers to learning, such as strained relationships, increased anxiety, alcohol/drug problems, feeling down, difficulty concentrating and/or lack of motivation. These mental health concerns or stressful events may lead to diminished academic performance or reduce a student's ability to participate in daily activities. Amarillo College offers services to assist you with addressing these and other concerns you may be experiencing. If you or someone you know are suffering from any of the aforementioned conditions, you can learn more about the broad range of confidential mental health services available on campus by calling the AC Counseling Center at 806-371-5900. The AC Counseling Center website is https://www.actx.edu/counseling/ . Also, if you are in need of social services (affordable housing, utilities, transportation, food, clothing, childcare, medical/dental/vision, legal), please call the AC Advocacy & Resource Center at 806-371-5439. The AC Advocacy & Resource Center website is https://www.actx.edu/arc

Amarillo College Tutoring for Success Policy:

Tutoring for Success applies to any student whose overall performance in the course falls below 75%. The instructor will create the task in the Student Engagement Portal (Watermark) to direct the student to the appropriate tutoring service, which may be faculty- or SI-led, discipline-specific, and/or general. The tutoring service assigned, the due date for when the tutoring must be completed, and the amount of tutoring required are at the discretion of the instructor. Additionally, the task will alert the student’s success team. Students who do not fulfill the assigned tutoring task may be subject to program- and course-specific penalties that could result in a grade reduction and/or in not being allowed to progress in the course until the tutoring requirement has been satisfied.

Administrative Drop Policy

Students who do not attend class on or prior to the census date will be administratively dropped. Effective Fall, 2016

Student Withdrawal Procedures

Students who wish to withdraw from a course must complete all steps indicated on the Academic Withdrawal Request form by the course withdrawal deadline.

NOTE: Students who are attending Texas institutions of higher education, for the first time fall 2007 and later, may not withdraw from more than six courses during their academic career. This withdrawal limitation does not include dual credit or developmental classes (Senate Bill 1231 Rule 4.10.) For more information on Drop and Withdrawal Policies, please visit the Registrar's Office Web site.

Privacy Statement

The Amarillo College Privacy Policy is found at https://www.actx.edu/-amarillo-college-privacy-notice , and applies to all Amarillo College students.  If you have questions about this privacy statement or you believe that your personal information has been released without your consent, send email to humanresources@actx.edu .

Course

PTHA-1431-002 Physical Agents

Prerequisites

Course Description

Biophysical principles, physiological effects, efficacy and application of physical agents.

Student Resources Student Resources Website

Department Expectations

Occupational License Disclaimer

Notice to Students enrolled in an educational program for preparation of issuance of certain occupational licenses:

Students enrolled in an educational program in preparation for obtaining certain occupational licenses are potentially ineligible for such license if the student has been convicted of an offense. For further information, please contact:

Melodie Graves
Justice Involved Advocate
Student Service Center 117
mgraves24@actx.edu
806-371-5995
Make appointment at https://melodiegraves.youcanbook.me

You can also contact the Legal Clinic, or the faculty member in charge of the educational program that you seek to enroll in. The further information you will receive will include notification to you of your right to request a criminal history evaluation letter from the licensing authority in order to clarify your particular situation.

Hours

(4 sem hrs; 3 lec, 3 lab)

Class Type

On Campus Course

Syllabus Information

Textbooks

REQUIRED TEXTS: 

Cameron M. Physical Agents in Rehabilitation: An Evidence-Based Approach to Practice 6th Ed., 2023.  ISBN: 9780323761949

ADDITIONAL TEXTS FROM PREVIOUS COURSES: (These will be integrated into the course.)

Mansfield and Neumman. Essentials of Kinesiology for the Physical Therapist Assistant, 3rd ed. Elsevier, 2019.

Reichert B. Palpation Techniques: Surface Anatomy for Physical Therapists, 2nd ed. Thieme, 2015.

Access to the AC Library Ebooks as detailed in Reading Assignments

Supplies

Laptop Computer

Student Performance

COURSE DESCRIPTION

STATEMENT OF PURPOSE

This course is designed to help students develop the knowledge and clinical reasoning needed to treat patients with acute and chronic conditions using therapeutic exercise interventions. You will also have opportunities to combine skills learned in previous PTA courses with new content introduced in this course.

Successful completion of the Amarillo College PTA Program and earning a passing score on the National Physical Therapy Examination (NPTE) makes graduates eligible to apply for licensure as a Physical Therapist Assistant in all 50 U.S. states.

STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES / COURSE OBJECTIVES

By the end of this course, students will be able to demonstrate competency in the following areas:

I. General Considerations for Physical Agents

Students will be able to:

• Demonstrate effective teaching strategies for patient-centered education, including:

  • disease/condition education

  • treatment interventions

  • home exercise program (HEP) instruction
    (demonstrated in role-play situations)

• Implement and modify treatment sessions based on patient status using the:

  • Bio-Psychosocial Model

  • ICF Model (International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health)
    while following the physical therapist’s plan of care and communicating modifications appropriately.

• Apply current knowledge, theory, and clinical judgment to select appropriate physical agents as described in the plan of care.

• Integrate evidence-based resources to support clinical decision-making for modality selection.

• Identify normal and abnormal integumentary changes related to the use of physical agents.

• Assess patients for absent or altered sensation prior to applying physical agent modalities.

• Use proper draping techniques to protect patient privacy during physical agent application.

• Recognize activities that aggravate or relieve:

  • edema

  • pain

  • dyspnea

  • other symptoms related to ventilation, respiration, and circulation

• Recognize when an intervention should be withheld due to changes in patient status and communicate those changes to the physical therapist.

• Recognize when an intervention is beyond the PTA’s scope of practice or skill level.

II. Physical Agent Interventions: Safety & Application

Students will be able to identify indications, contraindications, and precautions for the following interventions:

Thermal, Mechanical, and Other Physical Agent Modalities

• Direct contact, immersion, and ultrasound

• Hydrotherapy (whirlpool, aquatic pool)

• Compression therapies (Intermittent Compression, Game Ready)

• Hot packs

• Cold packs and ice massage

• Paraffin

• Phonophoresis and iontophoresis

• Contrast baths/packs

• Lumbar traction

• Cervical traction

• Laser / Ultraviolet / Infrared

• Diathermy

• Fluidotherapy

III. Physical Agent Skills: Competency

Students will demonstrate the ability to competently perform the following:

• Direct contact, immersion, and ultrasound

• Compression therapies (Intermittent Compression)

• Hot packs

• Cold packs and ice massage

• Paraffin

• Phonophoresis and iontophoresis

• Lumbar traction

• Cervical traction

IV. Electrotherapy: Safety, Parameters, and Performance

Students will be able to identify indications, contraindications, and precautions for the following electrotherapy interventions:

• TENS

• Interferential Current

• Biofeedback

• NMES

• Iontophoresis

• High Volt

Electrotherapy Skills: Competency

Students will demonstrate the ability to competently perform:

• TENS

• Interferential Current

• NMES

• High Volt

V. Science, Theory, and Clinical Decision-Making

Students will be able to:

• Compare the mechanisms of heat transfer and how they relate to physical agent application.

• Identify the laws of physics related to the use of physical agents.

• Identify the physical principles of water related to aquatic therapy.

• Compare the physiological effects of different physical agents.

• Describe the properties of electricity, including:

  • conductance

  • resistance

  • capacitance
    related to electrotherapy application.

VI. Aquatic Therapy

Students will be able to:

• Design a treatment session (within the physical therapist’s plan of care) for a patient treated in a therapeutic pool.

VII. Clinical Goals, Parameters, and Documentation

Students will be able to:

• Recognize common treatment goals for using biophysical agents.

• Explain the rationale for selecting physical agents based on clinical goals and patient responses.

• Identify appropriate parameters needed to achieve treatment goals using physical agents.

• Describe possible adverse responses to physical agents.

• Accurately write a SOAP note summarizing a treatment session using a physical agent.

VIII. Massage & Soft Tissue Techniques

Students will be able to:

• Identify indications, contraindications, and precautions for therapeutic massage and soft tissue mobilization.

• Compare physiological effects of different massage and soft tissue mobilization techniques.

• Demonstrate the ability to competently perform therapeutic massage.

IX. Pain Science and Symptom Management

Students will be able to:

• Identify mechanisms of pain reception and transmission using various pain theories.

• Discuss pain management using:

  • physical agents

  • therapeutic exercise

  • pharmacological approaches

X. Mobility Restrictions and Healing

Students will be able to:

• Identify common tissues and patterns that cause motion restrictions.

• Recognize activities, positioning, and posture that:

  • aggravate pain

  • relieve pain

  • alter sensation

• Explain stages of healing in:

  • musculoskeletal disorders

  • neurological disorders

Students Rights and Responsibilities

Log in using the AC Connect Portal

In order to receive your AC Connect Email, you must log in through AC Connect at https://acconnect.actx.edu .

If you are an active staff or faculty member according to Human Resources, use "Exchange". All other students, use "AC Connect (Google) Email".

Expected Student Behavior

Welcome!

Welcome to the PTA Program! These guidelines will help you develop the professional skills and habits you'll need as a healthcare provider. Your success is our priority, and we're here to support you every step of the way.

Academic Excellence

Why it matters: Building strong academic habits now prepares you for your healthcare career.

What we expect:

• Review the "Student Rights and Responsibilities" handbook (focus on Academic Information, Student Conduct, and Alcohol/Drug Prevention sections)
• Complete all work honestly and independently
• Ask for help early if you're struggling

Academic integrity: Any form of cheating results in course failure. Individual assignments must be completed independently.

Professional Behavior

In the Classroom

• Technology: Keep devices on silent and stored unless we're using them for learning. If you expect an emergency call, let me know before class
• Engagement: Your participation helps everyone learn
• Respect: Show courtesy to instructors, guests, and classmates

In Clinical Settings

• Patient care: Always introduce yourself as a student and prioritize patient needs and confidentiality (legally required)
• Professionalism: Arrive on time, follow facility policies, and respect all staff
• Social media: Maintain professional standards in all online activity

Skills Development

Our support system:

• Practice in lab and "open lab" sessions with instructor supervision
• Skills check-offs using self, peer, and instructor evaluations
• One retake opportunity for failed practical exams (max grade: 75%)
• Timely feedback: lecture exams within 48 hours, practicals within 7 days

Professional Appearance

Purpose: Looking professional builds confidence and earns respect from patients and colleagues.

Please refer to handbook and program faculty instructions for any specific requirements.

Daily standards:

• Clean, neat, conservative clothing appropriate for healthcare
• Closed-toe, closed-heel non-slip shoes
• Hair clean and secured, natural colors only
• Minimal jewelry and fragrance, good hygiene, short clean nails

Field trips/professional events:

• Business attire: black scrub pants and shirts
• Amarillo College ID badge
• No jeans, t-shirts, shorts, or athletic wear

Lab activities:

• Clean athletic wear (shorts okay with compression shorts underneath)
• Be prepared to expose treatment areas for practice
• Removable layers as needed

Exams:

• Sleeves above elbows, no watches/hats
• Cell phones for verification only, then stored
• Jackets zipped
• Black scrubs required for practical exams

If dress code isn't followed, you may miss activities for that day.

Technology & Communication

Stay connected:

• Email: Primary contact for course questions
• GroupMe: Class announcements and peer communication
• Emergency during class: Health Professions Secretary at (806) 354-6055

Required: Wi-Fi laptop for all coursework and testing

During class: Cell phones and Bluetooth devices stored unless specifically needed for learning activities

Participation & Collaboration

Healthcare is collaborative! We expect you to:

• Contribute to discussions and group work
• Support classmates while developing your own skills
• Participate in role-playing and simulated patient activities
• Work cooperatively with peers and faculty

Need accommodations? Speak with your instructor privately so we can work together to meet your learning needs.

Our Commitment to You

We're invested in your success! If you're struggling academically, professionally, or personally, please reach out early. Asking for help shows professional maturity.

This program will challenge you and prepare you for a meaningful career helping others. We're here to guide you every step of the way.

Questions? Ask during class or email me directly. Your success matters to us!

GRIEVANCE POLICY

A student who has a problem with the course or the course instructor should make every attempt to resolve the problem with the course instructor. If that is not successful, the student may appeal the decision of the instructor to the PTA Program Director, Dean of Health Professions/Division Committee, Associate Vice President of Academic Affairs, Vice President of Academic Affairs, and the President – IN THAT ORDER.

Grading Criteria

Grade Breakdown

Your final course grade will be calculated using the following weighted categories:

• Participation / Assignments / In-Class Quizzes* — 10%

• Research Presentation — 5%

• Lecture Exams — 40%

• Final Exam* — 20%

• Lab Practicals** — 25%

Category Policies & Requirements

Participation / Assignments / In-Class Quizzes* (10%)

Assignments and quizzes may be completed before class or during lecture/lab.

Some assignments may be graded using a check-mark system for satisfactory completion.

Check-Mark Policy

• If a submission is not acceptable, it will be returned for revision.

• Once returned, the student has 1 week to resubmit an acceptable version.

• After 1 week, a 5-point deduction will be applied to that assignment grade.

Important

• Failure to complete any single assignment to satisfactory performance may result in a zero for the Participation/Assignments/Quizzes category, which will be calculated into the final grade based on instructor weighting.

Research Presentation (5%)

Students will complete a research-based presentation as assigned by the instructor.
Details, rubric, and submission expectations will be provided in class.

Lecture Exams (40%)

Lecture exams make up 40% of the final grade.

Exam Averaging

• Your lecture exam grades are averaged to determine your lecture exam portion of the course grade.

" Lowest Exam Drop Policy

• The lowest lecture exam grade MAY OR MAY NOT be dropped.

• This decision is at the discretion of the instructor.

Final Exam* (20%)

The final exam is comprehensive (covers the full semester).

Final exam grades cannot be dropped, even if it is the lowest exam grade.

Lab Practicals** (25%)

All students must successfully pass all lab practical exams.

Minimum Proficiency Standard

• A score of 75% or higher is required to pass each practical.

Retest Policy
If a student scores below 75% on a lab practical:

• The student will be allowed one retest opportunity

• Retesting will occur as soon as possible based on the instructor’s schedule

• The highest possible retest grade is 75%

• The student must score at least 75% on the retest to pass

Failure Consequence

• Failure of the second attempt results in failure of the course and dismissal from the program.

Critical Safety Requirement
Students must demonstrate proficiency in ALL critical safety elements to pass the course.

" Absence on Practical Day
If a student is absent on the day of a practical exam:

• The highest grade allowed may be 75%, except in extenuating circumstances as determined by the instructor.

Minimum Passing Requirement

To successfully pass the course:

• The student must earn an overall course average of 75.0% or higher

• The student must successfully complete all assignments

• The student must meet all course objectives

Remediation Requirement

Any student who scores 79% or lower on an exam or practical is required to complete remediation.

Required Steps:

1. Contact the instructor to discuss remediation

2. Schedule the session yourself

   • It is the student’s responsibility to schedule this session.

3. Attend tutoring at an Amarillo College tutoring center

   • Tutoring locations: https://www.actx.edu/tutoring/

" The number of required tutoring sessions will be determined by the instructor.
Students must provide verification of tutoring attendance to the instructor.

Grading Scale

Final course grades are assigned as follows:

• A = 100 – 92.0

• B = Less than 92.0 – 84.0

• C = Less than 84.0 – 75.0

• F = Less than 75.0

Program Requirement:
A grade of C or better is required to continue in the PTA major.

Late Work & Makeup Exam Policy

Late Work

Late work is not accepted unless:

• The student submits a written request, and

• The student receives written permission with a revised due date from the instructor

" Important Note:
The instructor may not be able to grant extensions depending on course/program requirements.

Quizzes

• Quizzes will not be rescheduled

• Missed quizzes cannot be made up unless otherwise stated by the instructor

Makeup Exams (Lecture or Practical)

Missed lecture or practical exams may be rescheduled only if all conditions are met:

To qualify for a makeup exam, the student must:

1. Submit a written request for a makeup exam

2. Provide verification of the reason the exam was missed

3. Receive written permission from the instructor

" Makeup exams will be scheduled based on instructor availability.

If permission is not granted, the student will receive a grade of 0.

Unexcused Absences

• A 10-point penalty will be assessed for a makeup exam due to an unexcused absence

• Students must attend class on scheduled exam days or they may not be allowed to test

Students should expect to take the makeup exam on the day they return to class, unless otherwise notified.

Exam / Practical Drop Policy

At the instructor’s discretion:

• Exam grades and/or practical grades may be dropped

However:

• Practical failures still follow the required retest policy

• A practical retest is allowed one time only, with a maximum earned grade of 75%

• Failure of the retest results in an F in the course

Last Date to Drop / Withdraw

Last date to drop/withdraw: April 23, 2026

Any student not withdrawn by this date will receive the grade earned.

Attendance

Regular attendance is necessary for satisfactory achievement. Therefore, it is the responsibility of the student to attend class in accordance with the requirements of the course as established by the
instructor. (Amarillo College Student's Rights and Responsibilities Publication). Absences and tardiness will be monitored and evaluated in the Student Engagement Portal to determine a student's final course grade.

Students are expected to be present for the entire class/lab time. Students must report any anticipated class/lab absence to the instructor. Habitual late arrivals after the scheduled start time of class, extended breaks during class, or early departures are disruptive to the class. The student must directly report the reason for any tardiness to the instructor.

To minimize absences and lecture/lab disruptions, the student will earn points that will affect the final course grade. Upon earning 4 points, the final course grade will be dropped one letter grade. Points are earned as follows:

• Missing an entire lecture/lab class = 1 point
• Arriving late** to lecture/lab = 1/2 point
• Leaving lecture/lab early = 1/2 point
• Leaving class for any reason and returning = 1/2 point
• Working on non-class/lab materials in class/lab =  1/2 point

** The student is "late" to class if the student is not in the seat when class begins.

A student who plans to succeed in this course should also plan to regularly attend all lecture and laboratory sessions. Cases of excessive tardiness and absence will be handled on an individual basis and will require a formal counseling session.  Following this session, a departmental counseling form will be placed in your file.  The purpose of this form is to document that the student has been made aware that excessive absences are jeopardizing successful completion of this course. 

If a student is asked to leave a class due to disruption or lack of participation, the student will be
counted absent for that entire class and will have an additional assignment.

Following an absence, the student is responsible for obtaining missed notes, assignments, copies of handouts, etc. from classmates. The student is also responsible for obtaining any needed clarification of missed information from the course instructor.

If there is a period where remote access to classes is required because of public health situations, the attendance policies will be revised.

Calendar

Additional Information

LAST DATE TO DROP/WITHDRAW: April 23.2026 – Any student not withdrawn by this date will receive the grade earned.

SAFETY PROCEDURES: In case of an emergency, the student needs to call the Safety and Security department at 9-371-5163.  In an emergency situation, use the nearest phone that is available.  The student should also know in case of a medical emergency, the following procedure should be performed and in the order written:

Call 9-911 for an ambulance

Call Amarillo College Police at (806) 371-5163.

PHYSICAL RESTRICTIONS: The activities presented in this course may have physical restrictions.  It is the responsibility of the student to let the instructor know if any of these restrictions apply to you.  All students are to avoid doing the Valsalva maneuver during exercises and to exercise within your tolerance and speed.

If you have:

Asthma, cardiac problems, high blood pressure– avoid doing the Valsalva maneuver during exercises and monitor your pulse and blood pressure on a regular basis during exercises in lab.  Exercise within your tolerance and speed.

Pregnancy– do not do any exercise that emphasizes abdominal strengthening.  Precaution needs to be taken when stretching due to ligament laxity.  All exercise is contraindicated if you have incompetent cervix, vaginal bleeding, placenta previa, rupture of the membrane, premature labor, maternal heart disease, hypertension, intrauterine growth retardation, and uncontrolled diabetes

Rheumatoid Arthritis– when in the inflammatory state, certain exercises are contraindicated.  It is recommended to rest and use splints to protect your joints during the appropriate activities as prescribed by your doctor

Thermoregulatory problems – clothing may need to be adjusted to accommodate the temperature of the environment.  If necessary, a misting bottle may be brought to lab

Thrombophlebitis– exercise is contraindicated.  Medical care is mandatory and a release to resume any activities is required.

Diabetes/hypoglycemia– bring medication and snacks as needed

Latex sensitivity– latex gloves during sterile techniques are to be avoided.  Notify the instructor by the 3rd day of classes so that alternative gloves can be provided

Amarillo College Resource Link: http://www.actx.edu/resources

THE LEAD INSTRUCTOR RESERVES THE RIGHT TO MODIFY THE SYLLABUS AS NEEDED DURING THE SEMESTER.  ANY MODIFICATIONS WILL BE ANNOUNCED IN CLASS.