Personal Trainers Vs. Physical Therapists In Injury Rehab Therapy
It is increasingly popular to hire the services of a personal trainer to achieve health and fitness goals. While fewer people may require the expertise of a physical therapist, both types of professionals are involved in the fields of health and fitness.
Doctors frequently refer patients who are recovering from serious injuries or illnesses to physical therapists, or physiotherapists, for rehabilitation and healing of the body. Physical therapy clinics have medical equipment that is specially designed for rehabilitating injuries and is not typically included in most gyms, such as walking aids, specialized exercise machines and weight or strength training tools.
While some of the exercise equipment may be basically the same as gym machines, physiotherapists have special training to show you how to use equipment and do exercises correctly for your injury rehab. Weight training equipment can typically be used in one of several ways. Using the wrong method for your injury can do more harm than good.
Physical therapists work closely with patients during the initial stages of rehabilitation as well as helping them develop maintenance routines to continue healing, with the goal that they will be able to enjoy a lifestyle similar to what they had prior to the injury.
Personal trainers are experts in showing people how to improve their fitness levels and staying power. This goes a long way towards increasing overall health. As gym memberships continue to increase in popularity, many people may get a session with a fitness coach as part of their membership package. The initial session may include an evaluation of the individual’s condition as well as showing them how to use the standard aerobic exercise and weight equipment found in a gym. While this is extremely useful in its own right, this is not the same as the type of therapy received from a state licensed and/or certified physical therapist. In fact, not all states or facilities require specialized training, certification or licensing for personal trainers.
This is not to say that personal trainers have no knowledge regarding injury rehab. Many take classes on the topic, or in targeting weak muscle groups. Some may even have specialized training or achieved additional certification in physiotherapy. These individuals are an excellent choice for continuing rehabilitation after an initial course of physician-directed treatment is completed. However, unless the doctor says otherwise, this training is not necessarily a good substitution for the services of a physical therapist immediately following an injury.
Professional therapists will have, at a minimum, a bachelor’s degree from an accredited school. Most states require passage of a Board exam prior to issuing these licenses.
While some personal trainers do have degrees in health related fields, this level of training is currently not required. There are a variety of certification programs that range from a few days to weeks of training, so expertise and knowledge will vary widely. Once the therapist and the physician have determined a home care and exercise maintenance therapy routine, hiring the right personal trainer is the logical next step.
When an injury is in the earlier stages of healing, nothing can replace the qualified work of a physical therapist. Ongoing maintenance that properly educated and certified personal trainers can provide can often prove greatly useful in continuing rehabilitation.
If you’re looking for a highly qualified personal trainer in the Toronto area, contact ActFit Studio. Their private fitness studio can help you achieve better results faster with a fitness program designed for you and your goals. Featuring a CAN-FIT Pro Certified Personal Trainer who is also an EC Physiotherapist Assistant. Powered by SEO 2.0 Services