Section 61-12E-4 - Practice of naprapathy; description. (Repealed effective July 1, 2012.)

61-12E-4. Practice of naprapathy; description. (Repealed effective July 1, 2012.)

A.     Naprapathic practice includes the diagnosis and treatment of persons with connective tissue disorders through the use of special techniques, review of case history, examination and palpation or treatment of a person by the use of connective tissue manipulation, exercise, postural counseling, nutritional counseling and the application or use of heat, cold, light, water, radiant energy, electricity, sound and air and assistive devices for the purpose of preventing, correcting or alleviating a physical disability.   

B.     A naprapath treats contractures, muscle spasms, inflammations, scar tissue formation, adhesions, lesions, laxity, hypotonicity, rigidity, structural imbalances, bruises, contusions, muscular atrophy and partial separation of connective tissue fibers.   

C.     Naprapathic practice may require the:   

(1)     performance of specialized tests and measurements;   

(2)     administration of specialized treatment procedures; and   

(3)     establishment and modification of naprapathic treatment programs.   

D.     A licensee may advise, supervise or teach another in the performance of naprapathy.   

E.     Naprapathic practice does not include surgery, acupuncture, Chinese herbal medicine, pharmacology or invasive diagnostic testing. A naprapath who is not licensed pursuant to the Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine Practice Act [61-14A-1 NMSA 1978] shall not hold himself out as qualified to perform acupuncture or provide oriental medicine services. A naprapath who is not licensed as a physical therapist pursuant to the Physical Therapy Act [61-12D-1 NMSA 1978] shall not hold himself out as qualified to provide physical therapy or physiotherapy services. A naprapath who is not licensed pursuant to the Chiropractic Physician Practice Act [61-4-1 NMSA 1978] may not hold himself out as qualified to perform chiropractic practices. A naprapath who is not licensed as an occupational therapist pursuant to the Occupational Therapy Act shall not hold himself out as qualified to provide occupational therapy. Nothing in this section shall limit a naprapath from employing appropriate naprapathic techniques that a naprapath is educated and licensed to perform except as set forth in this subsection.   

F.     A naprapath shall refer to a licensed physician any patient whose medical condition should, at the time of evaluation or treatment, be determined to be beyond the scope of practice of the naprapath.