Answers (14)
2
I do not compare myself or any Personal Fitness Trainer (PFT) to PT (Physical Therapist), but rather an extension there of.
I sort of laugh that so many PFT have difficulty emotionally differentiating themselves from the PT. Being in my middle ages, I guess accepting and appreciating the difference comes from time, and experience, as well as maturity.
The MD diagnosis the issue, and recommends or refers to the PT. Often times it is out of ignorance of non-invasive options that the MD does this. Other times it comes of a desire to avoid invasive options if possible, as should always be done.
The PT has spent years learning these non-invasive modalities. Like most "prescription" or other medical healing or "corrective" modalities, PT is costly and has a short time to both be implemented and work. The outcomes can be limited, particularly on a shorter term basis. However, on the longer term, with continual and strict adherence to therapy, outcomes can be improved and reach near or 100% success.
In my practice as a PFT, I have had the opportunity and privilege to work with multiple MD's, and PT's overseeing individuals and "special populations" rehabbing from injury, surgery, cardiovascular, pulmonary, spinal and other events or incidents. I tend to look at these experiences as "apprenticeships" and learning opportunities.
While I do not diagnose, I do not hesitate to continue or base my exercise prescription for a client in part on that which they are/were doing in PT. Often I will suggest to a client (potential or otherwise) to have their PT and I communicate or otherwise correspond as they complete or are released from PT. I have in more serious or unusual cases actually gone the extra mile to (with their permission and that of the PT) accompany them to PT as their program winds down.
So....in summary, I do not see myself as "able to rehab a client as well as a PT", because it would be redundant. I see my role as an extension of the PT in the case of rehab. MD's diagnose, PT's implement, PFT's develop adherence and compliance.
The PFT has the "opportunity" to turn a rehab client into a "preventative re occurrence and healthy whole body" individual. Sometimes injury or incident is a "wake-up" call to people that they need to become active, fit or learn how to do what it is they are doing that got them injured in the first place. These are the area's beyond typical, or traditional fitness that a PFT can develop a niche in.
There was recently an article that stated that doctors (MD's) are reluctant to "prescribe" or "refer" patients to fitness professionals because they themselves were ignorant of exercise or who and what qualifications one should have. Fitness is not a part of medical school training, and so that further added their reluctance.
On the other hand many fitness facilities partner with PT facilities or PT individuals. Though in many if not most cases the referrals are few and far between, this is something that can be nurtured and should be as it is beneficial to both the PT, PFT and above all to the patient/client.
Again, as another answer suggests, I see the MD, PT, and PFT working collaboratively, not competitively. We would all do better learning to develop such a model of collaboration as it not only would benefit each of us, but the client population as well.
I sort of laugh that so many PFT have difficulty emotionally differentiating themselves from the PT. Being in my middle ages, I guess accepting and appreciating the difference comes from time, and experience, as well as maturity.
The MD diagnosis the issue, and recommends or refers to the PT. Often times it is out of ignorance of non-invasive options that the MD does this. Other times it comes of a desire to avoid invasive options if possible, as should always be done.
The PT has spent years learning these non-invasive modalities. Like most "prescription" or other medical healing or "corrective" modalities, PT is costly and has a short time to both be implemented and work. The outcomes can be limited, particularly on a shorter term basis. However, on the longer term, with continual and strict adherence to therapy, outcomes can be improved and reach near or 100% success.
In my practice as a PFT, I have had the opportunity and privilege to work with multiple MD's, and PT's overseeing individuals and "special populations" rehabbing from injury, surgery, cardiovascular, pulmonary, spinal and other events or incidents. I tend to look at these experiences as "apprenticeships" and learning opportunities.
While I do not diagnose, I do not hesitate to continue or base my exercise prescription for a client in part on that which they are/were doing in PT. Often I will suggest to a client (potential or otherwise) to have their PT and I communicate or otherwise correspond as they complete or are released from PT. I have in more serious or unusual cases actually gone the extra mile to (with their permission and that of the PT) accompany them to PT as their program winds down.
So....in summary, I do not see myself as "able to rehab a client as well as a PT", because it would be redundant. I see my role as an extension of the PT in the case of rehab. MD's diagnose, PT's implement, PFT's develop adherence and compliance.
The PFT has the "opportunity" to turn a rehab client into a "preventative re occurrence and healthy whole body" individual. Sometimes injury or incident is a "wake-up" call to people that they need to become active, fit or learn how to do what it is they are doing that got them injured in the first place. These are the area's beyond typical, or traditional fitness that a PFT can develop a niche in.
There was recently an article that stated that doctors (MD's) are reluctant to "prescribe" or "refer" patients to fitness professionals because they themselves were ignorant of exercise or who and what qualifications one should have. Fitness is not a part of medical school training, and so that further added their reluctance.
On the other hand many fitness facilities partner with PT facilities or PT individuals. Though in many if not most cases the referrals are few and far between, this is something that can be nurtured and should be as it is beneficial to both the PT, PFT and above all to the patient/client.
Again, as another answer suggests, I see the MD, PT, and PFT working collaboratively, not competitively. We would all do better learning to develop such a model of collaboration as it not only would benefit each of us, but the client population as well.
1
A fitness trainer can recommend stretches or exercises to strengthen but is not qualified to diagnose or treat injuries. Physical therapists have education and experience that can not be covered with a certification or course.
1
Hello Louie,
Thanks for your post. In response to your question, I have to say that the training that I have is very different from the training of a physical therapist and/or an athletic trainer. Hence, I would say that I can't "rehab" an injured client as well as a physical therapist.
I am very confident in my skills and do my utmost to stay within the scope of practice of the credentials that I hold, one of which is ACSM Registered Clinical Exercise Physiologist.
The scope of practice of the ACSM RCEP is:
Working with individuals referred by, or are currently under the care of, a physician; working with individuals with cardiovascular, pulmonary, metabolic, orthopedic/musculoskeletal, neuromuscular and/or immunological/hematological disease; performing clinical exercise testing and data interpretation; developing complex exercise prescriptions and performing exercise counseling
In order to earn this credential one must have a minimum of a masters degree and 600 hours of documented clinical work. I feel confident in my abilities, however, I tend to try to build collaborative relationships with other allied health professionals as opposed to competitive relationships as they have skills I don't possess and vice versa.
In notice that you are a graduate of Dr. Mike. I hear many wonderful things about his program and that he is incredibly knowledgeable. In the future, I intend to take his course. However, my present circumstance doesn't permit me to learn from him.
Thanks so much for your question and I look forward to responding to your posts.
Thanks for your post. In response to your question, I have to say that the training that I have is very different from the training of a physical therapist and/or an athletic trainer. Hence, I would say that I can't "rehab" an injured client as well as a physical therapist.
I am very confident in my skills and do my utmost to stay within the scope of practice of the credentials that I hold, one of which is ACSM Registered Clinical Exercise Physiologist.
The scope of practice of the ACSM RCEP is:
Working with individuals referred by, or are currently under the care of, a physician; working with individuals with cardiovascular, pulmonary, metabolic, orthopedic/musculoskeletal, neuromuscular and/or immunological/hematological disease; performing clinical exercise testing and data interpretation; developing complex exercise prescriptions and performing exercise counseling
In order to earn this credential one must have a minimum of a masters degree and 600 hours of documented clinical work. I feel confident in my abilities, however, I tend to try to build collaborative relationships with other allied health professionals as opposed to competitive relationships as they have skills I don't possess and vice versa.
In notice that you are a graduate of Dr. Mike. I hear many wonderful things about his program and that he is incredibly knowledgeable. In the future, I intend to take his course. However, my present circumstance doesn't permit me to learn from him.
Thanks so much for your question and I look forward to responding to your posts.
0
I can count on one hand the clients i've had that actually was strictly cosmetic reasons. It makes me laugh a little when someone has an issue and asks me if i have ever worked with anyone like that before, and i almost want to tell them i have the least experience with "normal" people. Just about everyone has an issue or imbalance, and if you actually assess the person with range of motion exams and what not you will find it and can even further prevent risking injury that the person is a ticking time bomb for.
So yes, i believe what you say is true, and i have personally been through education that reinforces that.
So yes, i believe what you say is true, and i have personally been through education that reinforces that.
0
Dustin Guirdy, so good to hear! Checkout TMR (Total Motion Release.com) This Physical Therapy Tecnique is a must for any Fitness Trainer, it will seperate you from the pack and will give you the confidence to compete with any PT!
0
There are many certified personal fitness trainers (PFT) who have a lot of years of work experience and advance education. I believe some PFT have attained the same amount of education through taking courses in college and/or private organizations as well as other resources. I believe state license professionals such as physical therapist (PT) should be the only one using the term and performing rehab exercises for persons with injuries. They should not be prescribing exercises. PT have a minimum of a bachelor's degree in fitness-related field, attended Pt school and has pass a state exam. A PFT with just 1-2 certification doing the same work sounds scary. When I was in school earning my Kinesiology degree, we has to learn and be tested on information before we were allowed to start working with the clients. Their programs were designed by college kinesiology teacher who had a PhD. I believe certain PFT who have advance theory and practical training can implement a program that was design by a PT or higher. As PFTs, we should work under the supervisor of PR or higher. I read a lot and attended a lot courses on the legal issue of being a fitness professionals. In certain states, it can be a bigger issue if PFT work beyond their scope of practice.
My advise for people who want to work with special populations;
1. Earn a minimum of bachelor's degree in exercise science, kinesiology, etc.
2. Attain multiple ADVANCE certifications through different organizations such as ACSM, ACE, AFAA, NSCA, etc,
3. Attain advance theory and practical courses in these specialize areas. Courses should be taught by PT, ATC, PhD, etc
4. Always have a network of degree fitness professionals to consult with and make referrals to.
5. Check out PRC Publishing - Subscribe and read Exercise Malpractice Reporter,
Michele Blake, BS (kinesiology)
My advise for people who want to work with special populations;
1. Earn a minimum of bachelor's degree in exercise science, kinesiology, etc.
2. Attain multiple ADVANCE certifications through different organizations such as ACSM, ACE, AFAA, NSCA, etc,
3. Attain advance theory and practical courses in these specialize areas. Courses should be taught by PT, ATC, PhD, etc
4. Always have a network of degree fitness professionals to consult with and make referrals to.
5. Check out PRC Publishing - Subscribe and read Exercise Malpractice Reporter,
Michele Blake, BS (kinesiology)
0
It is important to work as a team. Each profession has its own expertise and we need to work together for the benefit of our clients.
0
Wow, I love the diversity to the answers. I do believe a person should be diagnosed by a physician or physical therapist. What could appear to be a rotator cuff injury could actually be cancer. So diagnosis is best left to professionals. That being said, I believe a trainer can be very beneficial to the injured or limitations client. Most of my clients tend to have some injuries, limitations, surgeries that limit range of motion, etc. And I myself am in my 50's and have experienced some limitations. From life experience, I have learned rehab moves and strengthening moves to help my clients. I also teach yoga which tends to strengthen and balance out our weak areas. With assessment of each individual I am usually able to get them some release in their pain and a little farther range of motion. So a good, experienced, observant, and intuitive PFT could enhance healing for special populations once diagnosis has been made.
0
I love working with people that are coming back from injury. It helps me keep working at what I love to do. I have been in the business for 20 years now and I still love helping people get back to what they love to do.
0
I do not believe that I can rehab a client better than a Physical Therapist because I do not have the proper knowledge, education, background, or licensing to do so. However, I work with a Doctor of Physical Therapy and have learned a lot of knowledge from him and will go to him with questions, so I continue to learn more each day. I do trigger point massage on my clients, which I learned from him and helps each and every one of them.
Together, the DPT and I will be doing a DVD that combines fitness, pt exercises, stretches, and martial arts (I teach in his own system).
Together, the DPT and I will be doing a DVD that combines fitness, pt exercises, stretches, and martial arts (I teach in his own system).
0
Many trainers are doing a great working with clients. The key thing is that if you don't have the proper license as a Physical therapist and/or degree, the trainer shouldn't prescribe the exercises. It's OK to be trained by someone who meets the criteria and works under their supervision. As trainers, we should be an extension of the PT and other license professors.
Since law suits have increased against fitness professionals, they have to be careful to not work work beyond their Scope of Practice.
i appreciate the humbleness of Joanne when she said "Hence, I would say that I can't "rehab" an injured client as well as a physical therapist." She holds a Master's degree, ACSM Registered Clinical Exercise Physiologist and multiple .certification plus years of experience. She is a true example of a Fitness Professional role model
Since law suits have increased against fitness professionals, they have to be careful to not work work beyond their Scope of Practice.
i appreciate the humbleness of Joanne when she said "Hence, I would say that I can't "rehab" an injured client as well as a physical therapist." She holds a Master's degree, ACSM Registered Clinical Exercise Physiologist and multiple .certification plus years of experience. She is a true example of a Fitness Professional role model
0
No way. Not me. Count me out!!
To become a licensed physical therapist (or physiotherapist or massage therapist, for that matter) requires a specific knowledge and skill set that I do not possess.
What I can do is work WITH a physical therapist to ensure:
1) I fully understand the injury and its recovery and rehabilitation process.
2) That when it's time for the client to transition back to me, that my program builds on the physical therapist's; that our respective programs are the best for our client. For example, I've worked with many physiotherapists where this ongoing collaboration works beautifully for all involved.
Bottom line: This is important stuff we're dealing with here; a person's physical and mental well-being could suffer horribly and needlessly if treated incorrectly.
To become a licensed physical therapist (or physiotherapist or massage therapist, for that matter) requires a specific knowledge and skill set that I do not possess.
What I can do is work WITH a physical therapist to ensure:
1) I fully understand the injury and its recovery and rehabilitation process.
2) That when it's time for the client to transition back to me, that my program builds on the physical therapist's; that our respective programs are the best for our client. For example, I've worked with many physiotherapists where this ongoing collaboration works beautifully for all involved.
Bottom line: This is important stuff we're dealing with here; a person's physical and mental well-being could suffer horribly and needlessly if treated incorrectly.
0
No, we cannot "compete" with a physical therapist. We can work with them instead. Some PFTs might have more knowledge than others, but that doesn't give us the ability and legality to truly rehab them.
