So I’m soon going to be a Personal trainer, but I want to pursue a career in Physical therapy so I am taking classes for that. I was wondering how different are these 2 professions? and Could I possibly obtain experience being a personal trainer in physical therapy?
Thanks, Ray
There is a huge difference
PT is a graduate degree. A well respected member of the health care team. You treat a multitudes of problems from orthopedics, neurology, integument, cardiopulmonary, and gi/gu. You treat patients from birth to geriatrics. You work in hospitals, rehab facilities, home, nursing homes, schools, industry, and much more. You learn differential diagnosis. ie. When is shoulder pain a lung tumor? Here are some links from the national PT organization
Best wishes
http://www.moveforwardpt.com/
http://www.apta.org/AM/Template.cfm?Section=Career_as_PT_PTA&Template=/TaggedPage/TaggedPageDisplay.cfm&TPLID=242&ContentID=31095
Who are PTs and PTAs? from the APTA
The Physical Therapist
Physical therapists (PTs) are health care professionals who diagnose and treat individuals of all ages, from newborns to the very oldest, who have medical problems or other health-related conditions that limit their abilities to move and perform functional activities in their daily lives.
PTs examine each individual and develop a plan using treatment techniques to promote the ability to move, reduce pain, restore function, and prevent disability. Continue
The Physical Therapist Assistant
Physical therapist assistants (PTAs) provide physical therapy services under the direction and supervision of a physical therapist. PTAs help people of all ages who have medical problems, or other health-related conditions that limit their ability to move and perform functional activities in their daily lives. PTAs work in a variety of settings including hospitals, outpatient clinics, home health, nursing homes, schools, sports facilities, and more. PTAs must complete a 2-year associate’s degree and are licensed, certified, or registered in most states
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Personal training only require a high school diploma and a weekend course and exam. You can actually take the course online. Personal trainers work in gyms mostly. They are often salespeople to sell gym memberships. They generally treat healthy people who want to learn how to use the gym equipment and general exercises and maybe be a motivators. Hours are usually evenings and weekends when people want to exercise.
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Many PT hold additional certifications as ATC, CSCS (strength and conditioning), etc. Many therapists may have worked in gyms while going to school as most are interested in exercise and wellness.
_____________________
To become a PT you need to go to college and get a degree in which you need 1 year of gen physics, gen bio, gen chemistry, math, stats, anatomy and physiology, ( preferably cadaver dissection), take the gre (not a requirement for all schools), You will need extremely good grades as the programs are extremely competitive.
February 13th, 2010 at 8:41 am
There is a huge difference
PT is a graduate degree. A well respected member of the health care team. You treat a multitudes of problems from orthopedics, neurology, integument, cardiopulmonary, and gi/gu. You treat patients from birth to geriatrics. You work in hospitals, rehab facilities, home, nursing homes, schools, industry, and much more. You learn differential diagnosis. ie. When is shoulder pain a lung tumor? Here are some links from the national PT organization
Best wishes
http://www.moveforwardpt.com/
http://www.apta.org/AM/Template.cfm?Section=Career_as_PT_PTA&Template=/TaggedPage/TaggedPageDisplay.cfm&TPLID=242&ContentID=31095
Who are PTs and PTAs? from the APTA
The Physical Therapist
Physical therapists (PTs) are health care professionals who diagnose and treat individuals of all ages, from newborns to the very oldest, who have medical problems or other health-related conditions that limit their abilities to move and perform functional activities in their daily lives.
PTs examine each individual and develop a plan using treatment techniques to promote the ability to move, reduce pain, restore function, and prevent disability. Continue
The Physical Therapist Assistant
Physical therapist assistants (PTAs) provide physical therapy services under the direction and supervision of a physical therapist. PTAs help people of all ages who have medical problems, or other health-related conditions that limit their ability to move and perform functional activities in their daily lives. PTAs work in a variety of settings including hospitals, outpatient clinics, home health, nursing homes, schools, sports facilities, and more. PTAs must complete a 2-year associate’s degree and are licensed, certified, or registered in most states
———————————-
Personal training only require a high school diploma and a weekend course and exam. You can actually take the course online. Personal trainers work in gyms mostly. They are often salespeople to sell gym memberships. They generally treat healthy people who want to learn how to use the gym equipment and general exercises and maybe be a motivators. Hours are usually evenings and weekends when people want to exercise.
——————————–
Many PT hold additional certifications as ATC, CSCS (strength and conditioning), etc. Many therapists may have worked in gyms while going to school as most are interested in exercise and wellness.
_____________________
To become a PT you need to go to college and get a degree in which you need 1 year of gen physics, gen bio, gen chemistry, math, stats, anatomy and physiology, ( preferably cadaver dissection), take the gre (not a requirement for all schools), You will need extremely good grades as the programs are extremely competitive.
References :
I am a board certified pediatric physical therapist.