A Physical Therapist and a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist can work together to help you return to play and improve performance.  Find out how these professions are different and how they can work together to keep you in the game and performing your best.

PHYSICAL THERAPIST (PT):

PT Scope of Practice:

• Examining (history, system review and tests and measures) individuals with impairment, functional limitation, and disability or other health-related conditions in order to determine a diagnosis, prognosis, and intervention.

• Alleviating impairment and functional limitation by designing, implementing, and modifying therapeutic interventions.

• Preventing injury, impairment, functional limitation, and disability, including the promotion and maintenance of health, wellness, fitness, and quality of life in all age populations.

• Engaging in consultation, education, and research.

Educational Requirements:

• Post-baccalaureate degree (doctorate of physical therapy, DPT) from an accredited physical therapy program

Licensure:

• All States regulate the practice of physical therapy and eligibility requirements vary by State.

• Typical requirements for physical therapists include:

• Graduation from an accredited physical therapy education program

• Passing National and State Examinations

CERTIFIED STRENGTH AND CONDITIONING SPECIALIST (CSCS):

CSCS Scope of Practice

• Conducting interviews and assessments to facilitate program design.

• Identify needs for referral to other health care professionals

• Developing and implementing safe/effective training programs to improve performance and function

• Coaching individuals through performance training programs

• Complimenting other medical or rehabilitative needs as part of a health care team

Education Requirements:

• Four year degree in kinesiology, exercise physiology/science required

• Certification through The National Strength and Conditioning Association

How can a physical therapist (PT) and a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) help you?

A PT/CSCS team can work together in many ways and is an ideal partnership lost at most gyms, “boxes” and many performance centers.  A PT can complete very thorough evaluations to determine the cause of injury.  Looking not only at where pain may be but adjacent and distant regions, a physical therapist evaluation can identify joint or muscle dysfunctions as they relate to your pain or issue even if the dysfunction isn’t right where your pain indicates.

Working together with your CSCS, the team can adapt any and all training parameters and create programs to allow you a full return to training as timely as is possible and continue your athletic development.

A PT/CSCS team can also complete pre and post season screenings to allow for proper program design, corrective exercises, and manual therapies.  This will allow your team to create individualized training program to tailored specifically to your own asymmetries, weaknesses, or other sports specific needs.