Wellness



Continuation of Care
Direct Wellness Program
What’s the difference between a personal training session with a physical therapist and a personal trainer?
While thinking of starting a physical fitness program you may be asking yourself why should I see a physical therapist over a personal trainer. That is a fair question as many of their roles do have similarities. They both assess your fitness goals and are motivated to help improve your health and wellness. The answer comes down to taking a further look into what each profession provides and determining what makes most sense for you.
Personal trainers are specialized in helping to improve strength, performance, and overall athletic abilities. They play a vital role in helping clients achieve their fitness goals. On some occasions personal trainers work closely together with physical therapists with the common goal of assisting clients improve functional performance.
The difference; a physical therapist is a state board licensed healthcare professional who has extensive training in the anatomy and physiology of the body. If you are someone who is hesitant to get in the gym because you have pain that is preventing you from feeling motivated, it would be a good idea to see a physical therapist. It is often a misconception that you only go see a physical therapist after an injury, but the rule of thumb is to see one before to establish a preventative plan of care. Physical therapists have a doctorate level education and expertise in the movement and function of the human body. In addition to proactively assisting clients with achieving their wellness goals, a physical therapist has specialized training to differentially screen clients for potential problems requiring a referral to the appropriate physician for further evaluation.