ABSTRACT
Some industries may resist the influence of the physical therapist, sticking to the belief physical therapists must be supervised by physicians. Twenty-five states now provide direct patient access to physical therapists, and in twenty-one other states, physical therapists can evaluate without physician referral. Along with the team approach, another important idea is the use of objective standards and procedures for measuring workers' fitness. Many other references occur in literature on the contribution physical therapists have made in the treatment of low back syndromes. Donaldson, Silva, and Murphy have just published a beautiful article, "The Centralization Phenomenon and its Usefulness in Evaluating and Treating Referred Back Pain". In their classic, timeless book, Posture and Pain, Henry O. and Florence Kendall have made a tremendous contribution to the subject of musculoskeletal dysfunctions causing postural problems and painful conditions. Traditional models have failed to help industry or its workers get back problems under control.
