Most people will make resolutions to improve their fitness and health at the beginning of the year. There are different types of professionals that can help achieve health and fitness goals. The list will include physical therapists and personal trainers. There is a high chance you’ve heard of both and would like to know the differences or how they can work together to help you achieve your fitness objectives.
Ask a professional if you need to learn more about physical therapy rexburg.
When Should You See a Physical Therapist?
A physical therapist will be beneficial if you’re experiencing movement limitations due to injury or when recovering from an illness. A physical therapist possesses proper training and experience to diagnose and develop a treatment plan. Physical therapists also provide preventive care. An example is when you’ve been suffering from chronic back pain and would want to prevent injuries in the future. Physical therapists are well-equipped with strategies to build strength while avoiding injuries simultaneously.
When Should You See a Personal Trainer?
Once your doctor has given you the green light to start an exercise program, it’s crucial that you’re getting expert advice on the best approach to developing the routine. A personal trainer can help create an exercise regimen that fits your lifestyle and meets your fitness goals. It is worth noting that a personal trainer is not qualified to diagnose and treat injuries. If you’re experiencing discomfort, you should consult a physical therapist. You can have the best of both worlds when you visit Adapt Physical Therapy and Personal Training. There are a couple of benefits you accrue when working with a physical therapist and personal trainer simultaneously, and they include:
Alleviate Discomfort While Exercising
If you’re constantly experiencing pain and discomfort when going about your day-to-day activities, a physical therapist can get to the underlying problem before providing a prognosis. An experienced physical therapist will develop a tailored treatment solution to address your physical fitness needs and alleviate the pain.
Starting an Exercise Program
Before you meet with a personal trainer, ensure that no underlying medical conditions could act as an impediment. A personal trainer will provide guidance on strength training and endurance.
Losing Weight
Once you’ve been medically cleared to start exercising, working with a personal trainer can help you lose weight. The personal trainer will help with exercise and develop a nutrition plan that can help shed off the extra pounds.
Bridging The Gap Between Personal Trainers and Physical Therapists
Even though both work together in helping clients with similar ambitions, there has always been a divide between personal trainers and physical therapists. After a client has worked with a physical therapist for months trying to address an injury, there is a hesitation to be handed over to a personal trainer. How can a trainer differentiate between good and bad pain? That is why it’s recommended to get both services under one roof to seamless transition when trying to recover from an injury.
Both personal trainers and physical therapists will be looking to keep the business flowing. When two individual enterprises are used to achieve similar goals, there is likely to be an overlap. The two are often seen as the gatekeepers at the edge of a health care system. Physical therapy and personal training are meant to keep the client safe and healthy. For acute injuries, it’s recommended to get the go-ahead from your primary physician before you can start engaging in physical exercise.
What to Expect
A physical therapist’s role is to help patients throughout the different phases of healing. This will start with the initial diagnosis of the therapeutic and preventive stages of the recovery process. There are patients that will be referred to the physical therapist by their primary care physician, while others will seek the services themselves.
A physical therapist will recommend the exercises that one can do independently. They’ll also have the final say on when it’s safe to work with a personal trainer. Pain management is a big problem in the 21st century, and the opioid epidemic doesn’t make things any better. As with any medical practice, there will be various therapies that can be used to help with general pain alleviation.
Personal trainers can help individuals and athletes maximize performance through strength training. Patients are always at crossroads on additional work when recovering from an injury because of a lack of information. Physical therapy and personal training seek to bridge this gap.