Physical Therapy vs Personal Training
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What is the Difference Between Physical Therapy and Personal Training?
Physical Therapy and Personal Training have similar attributes with the focus on physical movement to achieve goals. However, the two professions are also very different.
Read on to learn the differences.
Physical Therapists
A Physical Therapist has obtained their advanced degree, Doctorate of Physical Therapy (DPT), and has extensive training to evaluate and treat orthopedic, musculoskeletal, and neuromuscular injury and dysfunction. This educational background allows for an in-depth understanding of the human body to develop a treatment plan or create modifications to achieve optimal function. Furthermore, physical therapists take a national board exam upon obtaining their DPT degree to become licensed physical therapists. Lastly, physical therapists have educational requirements they must meet every two years to keep their license active.
Physical Therapists focus on:
- Diagnosing an injury
- Developing a customized treatment plan to recover from injury
- Focus on preventative care to reduce the risk of an injury or surgery
When it is Time to See a Physical Therapist
Physical therapist stretching a patient’s shoulder
If you are experiencing pain or discomfort preventing you from performing an everyday task or exercising with your personal trainer.
For example, you have some knee pain that developed during an exercise with your personal trainer. The knee pain has increased and limits your ability to go up/downstairs at home. This knee pain is interfering with exercising and an everyday task like going upstairs within your home. Therefore, it would be time to see your physical therapist.
Physical therapists can also focus on preventative care to reduce the risk of an injury becoming worse. For example, if you had an episode of low back pain that has resolved, it caused you to have weakness in your legs. You are afraid of falling or are having difficulty walking. A physical therapist can assist you in strengthening and in balance to improve mobility and reduce the risk for a fall creating a worse injury.
Do Physical Therapists Do Personal Training?
Physical Therapists can conduct personal training; however, collaboration with a personal trainer may also occur. Physical therapists can work with personal trainers to help someone progress through their exercise program, continue improving their health, or even achieve greater fitness or sports performance levels.
It is common for Physical Therapists to rehabilitate a patient from an injury and then discharge him/her to a gym program or resume working out with his/her personal trainer. Personal Trainers can progress an exercise program and/or coach their clients to a healthier lifestyle through exercise techniques with safe form.
Physical Therapy is a Workout
Physical therapy can be a workout if deemed necessary by your licensed Physical Therapist. Once a Physical Therapist performs an evaluation and creates a plan for rehabilitation and recovery, specific exercises are prescribed to improve strength, range of motion, gait mechanics, or reduce pain and improve mobility. The exercises and Physical Therapy sessions will become more advanced and challenging, based on the patient’s progress, to help the patient recover while also reducing the risk of re-injury.
Personal Trainers
A personal trainer is trained to :
- improve strength
- flexibility
- overall fitness
Personal trainer working a with a client
Personal trainers do not have to meet any minimum education level or licensing requirements. Most personal trainers are certified through the National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM), the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM), or the American Council on Exercise (ACE).
Personal Trainers focus on:
Fitness goals and developing a customized exercise program to meet those goals
-For instance, someone that has been medically cleared to begin exercising at the gym. They may want to consult with a personal trainer to learn the equipment and/or develop an exercise program to reach health/fitness goals. Personal trainers can also assist one in exercising with good form to reduce the risk of an injury.
When to see a Personal Trainer
It is a great time to see a personal trainer if you are trying to lose weight when first starting an exercise program or achieving specific health/fitness goals.
It’s important to note that personal trainers are not qualified to diagnose an injury unless your trainer is also a physical therapist, so it is recommended to see a physical therapist if experiencing pain or discomfort before exercising with a personal trainer.
Related Content: Direct Access to Physical Therapy and JOI Concussion Center
To schedule an appointment for physical therapy at one of the 12 JOI Rehab Centers, please call 904-858-7045.