What is the difference between a sports massage therapist and a physiotherapist?
The big question we get asked is 'Are you a physio?' OR 'What do I need, a sports therapist or a physio?'
The simple answer is that both professionals are trained and insured to treat musculoskeletal (MSK) disorders, the only difference really being their end goals. Both physiotherapists and sports therapists are highly educated in dealing with MSK disorders, treating injuries and managing pain through hands on treatments often referred to as "manual therapy".
Both therapists:
Assess and diagnose injuries
Deliver a rehabilitation plan to maximise recovery and promote physical independence
Teach patients how to reduce their injuries and manage chronic pain
Implement rehabilitation programmes
Educate patients on staying fit and reducing injury in the future
Some treatment approaches are also shared such as:
Massage, manual therapy and joint mobilisations
Taping
Stretching methods
Biomechanical analysis
Acupuncture
Exercise prescription
Key differences:
Sports massage therapists spend a lot of their education looking at how sport and exercise effects a person's life. Rather than helping a patient get back to normal daily living, the aim is to get the patient back to their pre-injury level of activity whether that be recreational or elite; from walking to the shops, to Olympic level Rowing.
Physiotherapists have a broad knowledge on illnesses and diseases from their work in hospital settings. They are experts in getting patients back to being able to safely complete daily activities.
Sports massage therapists are generally private so can be accessed much quicker, at a cost.
A sports therapist has studied and specialised in the assessment and treatment of body alignment, postural structure, soft tissue injuries throughout their learning, whilst having various techniques to enable to diagnose and treat those soft tissue injuries and ailments.
Sports massage therapists continue their development through CPD learning and then onto further learning if needed and/or specialising in a specific subject.
A sports massage therapist can:
utilise sport and exercise principles to optimise performance, preparation and injury prevention.
provide the immediate care of injuries in recreational, training and competitive environment.
Assess, treat soft tissue problems/injuries and, where appropriate, refer on for specialist advice and intervention.
provide appropriate sports massage in a sport and exercise context.
I myself am a level 4 qualified sports massage therapist and personal trainer. I focus on working with people from all walks of life especially up and coming athletes who strive to be the best that they can be. The two professions combined give me a unique approach to coaching and personal training various people being able to train optimally whilst understanding the risks of injury and how to optimise training as well as being able to assess and treat any soft tissue injury.
For more information, get in touch to discuss the best course of action for you to take.
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