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We, Sports Therapists, use our knowledge of injuries, the musculoskeletal system, and the variety of therapeutic modalities to effectively treat those who are suffer with injuries, aches, and pains. Although it is in the name, you don’t need to be involved in sport to be treated by us, the ‘sport’ just refers to the underlying principle that we are attempting to improve someone’s sporting performance.
Our main responsibilities include assessing and diagnosing injuries and providing the appropriate treatment in accordance with Best Practice. We are also qualified to design and work through a rehabilitation plan, provide treatment for small and minor injuries, as well as a whole lot more.
Most Sports Therapists are self-employed, however typical employers can be sports injury clinics, professional and amateur clubs and we can also go into teaching. As with many healthcare professionals, we highly value the idea of networking, as we can bounce ideas and questions off each other and provide insights which someone may not have thought about before. And this isn’t limited just between the profession, oftentimes we have a great list including Physiotherapists’, Osteopaths, Chiropractors, Physical Therapists, Personal Trainers etc. This helps better our understanding of every situations we encounter, and ultimately it helps us to treat our client’s/ patients to a higher standard.
To become a member of the Society of Sports Therapists and benefit from the courses and insurance, you now must hold a degree in Sports Therapy (whether that be an Undergraduate or a Postgraduate degree).
Now for the obvious question of “what is the difference between a Sports Therapist and a Physiotherapist?”
Let us start with the definitions; a Physiotherapist “is a rehabilitation profession that promotes improvement in quality of life through diagnosis, examination and treatment”. A Sports Therapist “is concerned with prevention, rehabilitation and treatment of the patient back to optimum occupational and / or sport specific fitness.”
There is a difference, a very subtle and slight difference. Essentially, is you are suffering or have suffered from a serious medical issue or illness then a Physiotherapist is what you are looking for. We are not qualified to treat or examine these types of situations unless we have also gone on a separate course and been signed-off. Sports Therapists are more suited to treat and examine the injured side of problems, we are ‘musculoskeletal experts’ after all, but we are usually confused as Physiotherapists as we often use similar treatment techniques and methods.
Ultimately, there is a fine line which separates the two professions, and, paraphrased from c1HealthCentre, the main thing to focus on is finding someone that you trust and can have a good relationship with, someone who will understand your situation and is able to help you out holistically.
If you feel like we can help you, head over to our Home Page here.
Dominic Burchett
BSc (Hons) Sports Therapist
Very interesting and informative!!