Both professions are are licensed professionals with a backround in musculoskeletal assessment and rehabilitation of musculoskeletal injuries. However, the scope of physical therapy is broader. Physical therapy also includes a significant amount of training in the rehabilitation of neurological disorders such as MS, spinal cord injury, etc. The education also contains a significant emphasis in differential diagnosis, being able to differentiate between different neruomusculoskeletal problems (and assign a PT diagnosis to it) as well as differentiating between a neuromusculoskeletal conditions and a medical condition (for which referral to an MD may be necessary).
The patient population is also more limited with athletic trainers. Their target patient is an athlete, while a physical therapist can work with athletes as well as the general population.
This is not to say that ATCs are lesser qualified…as they complete a signficant amount of field work and education. They just have a more focused scope of practice and target patient population. PT education, on the other hand, is more extensive (the current requirements for a new grad are either MS or DPT level). Yet, it is due to the broader patient population.
December 4th, 2009 at 12:40 pm
Athletic Trainers:
Certified athletic trainers (ATCs) are medical experts in preventing, recognizing, managing and rehabilitating injuries that result from physical activity. Athletic trainers can help you avoid unnecessary medical treatment and disruption of normal daily life; if you’re injured, they can get you on the mend and keep you on the move.
Physical trainers:
Gain vital professional skills in becoming a successful personal fitness trainer working at a gym, or as a health club employee
Receive greater health club recognition with proctored exam format to achieve certification
Utilize the NESTA System of Personal Fitness Training to become a professional trainer with the ability to market, sell and apply your skills to those who need you most
References :
http://www.nestacertified.com/nesta-pt.html
December 4th, 2009 at 12:52 pm
A physical THERAPIST is a licensed medical professional. They are qualified to diagnose and treat connective tissue injuries and illnesses. They have at minimum a masters degree. Most have doctorates. The services of PT’s are covered by medical insurance.
It is not the same as a physical trainer, who can have minimal education and training.
An athletic trainer is also a degreed professional. They are hired by sports teams, universities, and colleges to treat injuries and promote muscular development the right way.
References :
December 4th, 2009 at 1:21 pm
Both professions are are licensed professionals with a backround in musculoskeletal assessment and rehabilitation of musculoskeletal injuries. However, the scope of physical therapy is broader. Physical therapy also includes a significant amount of training in the rehabilitation of neurological disorders such as MS, spinal cord injury, etc. The education also contains a significant emphasis in differential diagnosis, being able to differentiate between different neruomusculoskeletal problems (and assign a PT diagnosis to it) as well as differentiating between a neuromusculoskeletal conditions and a medical condition (for which referral to an MD may be necessary).
The patient population is also more limited with athletic trainers. Their target patient is an athlete, while a physical therapist can work with athletes as well as the general population.
This is not to say that ATCs are lesser qualified…as they complete a signficant amount of field work and education. They just have a more focused scope of practice and target patient population. PT education, on the other hand, is more extensive (the current requirements for a new grad are either MS or DPT level). Yet, it is due to the broader patient population.
References :
I am a PT.