Which of the following is NOT one of the three major categories of restraint techniques?

The correct answer is physical. In the context of restraint techniques, the three major categories are manual, mechanical, and chemical.

Manual restraints involve the use of human force or physical intervention to control an individual's movement, typically by staff or trained personnel. Mechanical restraints refer to the use of devices or equipment, such as straitjackets or cuffs, to physically limit a person's movement. Chemical restraints involve the administration of medications to control behavior or movement.

Physical, however, is often confused with manual, but it does not represent a distinct category of restraint technique in this context. Instead, the term "physical" might typically refer to the act of using body movement in a broad sense, but it does not categorize the specific forms of restraint as manual, mechanical, or chemical do. Thus, physical is not recognized as one of the three major categories of restraint techniques, making it the correct answer to the question.