It’s becoming more and more common to find physical therapists, strength coaches, and/or personal trainers working together. I was recently at one space, called Body Evolved, where they were even all under the same roof. This model is catching on because movement experts are all working to make your musculoskeletal system function better, which means they have a lot in common. However, they all have areas for which they are especially well-suited. Here’s a broad outline of what each can do for you.
What Physical Therapy Does Particularly Well
In-Depth Movement Diagnosis
Physical therapists have incredibly detailed knowledge of the body’s systems and structures so when they evaluate how you move, it goes beyond just looking at form. They can get into details that go right down to the nerves that are involved. This level of insight can be helpful for aches and pains that just seem to go on endlessly. It can also let you know if an issue is something that requires further attention from another medical professional.
Mobilizations
Sometimes joints need a little help getting moving. Physical therapists are trained in manual therapy which is much more precise than stretching, foam rolling, or even massage.
Acute Injury Rehab
Physical therapists can be especially good in the early phases of an injury. They can guide you through the tricky business of deciding how much to lay-off an injury or how much to challenge it. It’s all about precision here.
What Strength Coaches And Personal Trainers Do Particularly Well
Big Picture Form And Strength
Strength coaches and personal trainers want to improve your body on a macro-level. They’ll get you doing squats, deadlifts, pull-ups, push ups, and more with the proper form. Once you’ve got it, they’ll help you to build as much strength as possible in that movement. This is how you develop a more robust, more resilient body overall which can help you avoid visits to the physical therapist’s office in the first place.
Program Design/Progressive Training
Building that more resilient body means challenging the system just the right amount at just the right time and doing it on a constantly increasing trajectory over the long term. This is more than a six week treatment, it’s a journey, and trainers and coaches can map out the most effective route for you. It’s a trip worth taking because this is how you make fundamental changes to your body.
Related: Why There Is No Best Workout
Performance
Sports, exercise, and everyday living are all performance situations with a unique set of demands. Whether you’re a professional athlete, a weekend warrior, or simply a regular, hard-working human you’ll benefit from raising your game. Coaches and trainers have a specific understanding of these demands and know how to best prepare you for them.