What is the difference between a Physical Therapist, a Medical Exercise Specialist and a Personal Trainer?
It is one of the most common questions that we answer here at FIRST Post Rehab. There is a very important difference between these 3 professions, and it all has to do with the physical ability of the person in need.
Let’s start with Physical Therapists (PTs). In the past decade, there has been a push to make PTs apart of our primary care. This means you can schedule with a PT without needing a doctors referral and permission from insurance. The individual in need of a PT has been experiencing ACUTE pain, such a post surgery or from a traumatic injury. Physical Therapists hold Master’s Degree, and in most recent years Doctorate Degrees. They are licensed to practice and are able to provide patients with diagnoses of injury and are able to provide treatment for pain.
Once an individual has been properly treated and discharged from Physical Therapy, they may feel some residual strength deficits from taking this time off to heal. If this individual has any hesitation about re-injury, or is feeling unsure about to how to safely start exercising again; a Medical Exercise Specialist would be the next logical step in care. Unlike the Physical Therapist, Medical Exercise Specialists DO NOT provide treatment or diagnoses, and often do not accept reimbursement from health insurance companies. The Medical Exercise Specialists ( MES ) hold a degree in the health sciences field and are certified to work with those who are recovering from injury or have a chronic medical condition. The MES works to design safe and effective exercise programs specific to each individuals condition or history of injury - yet challenging enough to help them reach their fitness goals.
Finally, let’s say an individual has no injury, no pain and no medical condition. If they are looking to improve their overall physical fitness, Personal Trainers are an incredible resource for fitness motivation, instruction and accountability. Many fitness studios, fitness classes and gym settings hire Personal Trainers to work with the general healthy population as they are not trained to work with the individual who may be recovering from injury or living with a medical condition. The fitness industry is NOT regulated, ( I’ll watch what I say here so I don’t raise any alarms) , but technically any individual without the education, training and certification can become a Personal Trainer. But again, MANY well established fitness facilities require their Personal Trainers to be certified, and despite the lack of regulations , the fitness industry is more popular, more accessible and more affordable than ever.
I’ve made an infographic to show the main differences between the Physical Therapist, Medical Exercise Specialist and Personal Trainer. The main differences that stand between these professions are the Education/Certification Requirements, the Role of this professionals and the Job Description.
The professional that is best suited for YOUR needs truly depends on your current level of physical fitness and your ability to sustain this level without injury.
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