Both athletic therapy and physiotherapy focus on managing pain, improving strength, and rehabilitating patients. Although there are overlaps in both types of therapy, they are different. Some people even use both terms interchangeably.
So, what is the difference between athletic therapy and physiotherapy? Find your answers in this article that discusses each service, especially the differences and who needs either.
What Is Athletic Therapy, And Who Needs It?
Athletic therapy in Barrie, ON, focuses on assessing injuries and rehabilitating athletes, especially in emergencies. This therapy uses an active rehabilitation approach to return patients to their peak physical condition and fitness level.
Furthermore, your athletic therapist will create tailored treatment plans to suit your needs. Athletic therapy does not focus on training the whole body system. Instead, it helps patients recover from strains and aches and regain strength and endurance.
It is important to note that this therapy is not limited to athletes. Athletic therapy may suit you if you play high-level or professional sports. Other people who may get athletic therapy are people who have experienced musculoskeletal injuries and athletic people who want to recover their strength after an injury.
What Is Physiotherapy, And Who Needs It?
Like athletic therapy, physiotherapy is a hands-on treatment that helps patients with soft tissue injuries and reduced mobility heal faster. This type of therapy focuses on the body and its functions as a whole. Physiotherapists treat musculoskeletal injuries through different methods, including exercises and manual therapy.
Furthermore, besides treating injuries, physiotherapists help patients improve their daily function and fitness. People with conditions and injuries like arthritis, tendonitis, concussion, and fibromyalgia can benefit from physiotherapy. This type of therapy is also suitable for people with back and neck pain, sprains and strains, and neuromuscular disorders.
What Are The Key Differences Between Athletic Therapy And Physiotherapy?
Athletic therapy and physiotherapy focus on rehabilitating patients and nursing them to good health. Nevertheless, the difference between the two types of treatment is in the issues they focus on.
Athletic therapists focus on musculoskeletal issues and providing emergency care on the field. On the other hand, physiotherapists focus on neuromuscular and cardiovascular problems and musculoskeletal issues. Consequently, physiotherapists can treat a wide range of patients compared to athletic therapists.
In addition, athletic therapists are more exposed to sports environments, while physiotherapists focus on individuals with injuries and disorders. Furthermore, physiotherapists focus on rehabilitating patients, helping them return to a comfortable daily life. In contrast, athletic therapists focus on a patient’s ability to return to or maintain the fitness level required for a sporting activity.
Benefits Of Athletic Therapy
Athletic therapy in Barrie, ON, is excellent for preventing athletic injury. Your athletic therapist can help you assess strengths and weaknesses and develop training programs to improve your fitness and strength. If you sustain an injury, your athletic therapist can treat the elbow, shoulder, ankle, foot, hip, and knee injuries.
Other benefits of athletic therapy include improved joint flexibility, increased physical strength, and reduced stress after a training or sports session.
Benefits Of Physiotherapy
Barrie ON physiotherapy combines treatments and functional exercises to provide benefits, including recovery from a traumatic event and reducing chronic pain.
Stressing your wound can further aggravate it. Therefore, your physiotherapist works with you to teach you about safe movements, lowering the risk of aggravating injuries. Your physiotherapist may also use passive stretching techniques to help you recover without stressing your wound.
Other benefits of physiotherapy include improving balance and managing health conditions, including diabetes and stroke. Physiotherapy can also nurse you to health even after major injuries or disorders, preventing the need for surgery.
Athletic Therapy Vs. Physiotherapy – Which Is Best For You?
Athletic therapy and physiotherapy specialize in restoring mobility and range of motion and reducing muscle and joint pain. Your doctor will examine your injuries and refer you to the best healthcare professional.
Usually, because physiotherapists treat a broad range of disorders and injuries, your doctor will most likely refer you to one. For example, you may need physiotherapy if you have a sports injury, back pain, joint pain, or shoulder pain.
Fortunately, you don’t have to visit a doctor and get a referral before seeing a physiotherapist or athletic therapist. Instead, you can visit either of them to assess your injuries.
Conclusion
Physiotherapy and athletic therapy are similar yet so different. These therapies focus on using manual therapy and exercises to restore your range of motion and mobility and reduce pain. Although athletic therapists focus on musculoskeletal issues, physiotherapists focus on much more.
Regardless of your injuries, our physiotherapists at Concept of Movement Physiotherapy in Barrie, ON focus on evaluating your injuries and developing a suitable treatment plan to restore function and mobility.
