Both physical therapists and personal trainers are both involved in health and fitness. It’s increasingly common to hire personal trainers, but fewer people may require or utilize the expertise of a physical therapist due to a serious injury.
Patients are usually referred to physical therapists, or physiotherapists, by their doctor to help with healing and rehabilitation after a serious injury or illness. Physical therapy clinics feature specialized medical equipment for rehabilitating injuries, such as walking aids, weight or strength training tools, special tables and exercise machines. Much of this equipment may not be found in a gym or sporting goods store.
While some of the weight equipment might be exactly the same as that found in a gym, professional therapists are better trained to show you how to utilize this equipment correctly for your injury rehab. Most weight training equipment can be used in more than one way, and if used incorrectly, especially after an injury, it could do more harm than good.
While working closely with patients during the early stages of rehabilitation is a big part of what therapists do, they also develop maintenance routines. These exercise methods have the goal of ultimately returning people to a similar lifestyle to what they enjoyed before 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.
Quite a few personal trainers choose to educate themselves specifically in the field of injury rehab. They may take additional classes, or even receive special certification in physiotherapy in addition to personal training. These individuals may be the best choice for continuing rehabilitation after an initial course of physician-directed treatment is complete. But unless the doctor approves, this type of training probably should not be substituted for the services of a therapist right after an injury.
A bachelor’s degree in a program from an accredited school is the minimum requirement for professional therapists. These professionals must also pass a Board exam in most states to get licensed.
It is not entirely uncommon for personal trainers to get degrees in health related fields. However, this level of training is not currently required. Personal training certification programs range from a few days to weeks of training, so expertise and knowledge will vary widely. After the therapist and physician have created a maintenance therapy routine for a rehab patient, hiring the right personal trainer is a good idea.
Nothing will replace the qualified work of a physical therapist when an injury is fresh, but ongoing maintenance can be done with personal trainers who are properly educated and certified.
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
