Physical Therapy, Part 1 (Two sides of the same coin.)

So once again, I was lying in my bed when I came up with the idea for this post.

I have been to several Physical Therapists over the last six years. I think that it is safe to say that I have learned something from each one.  The one thing that I have come to realize though (and it is not their fault), is that the advice and training given by a Physical Therapist is not necessarily the advice given by a sports coach.  And why would it be?  They are two completely different disciplines.  Or are they?

Physical Therapy is a health care profession which provides services to individuals in order to develop, maintain and restore maximum movement and functional ability throughout life.  This includes providing services in circumstances where movement and function are threatened by aging, injury, disease or environmental factors. Physical therapy, http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Physical_therapy&oldid=323307064 (last visited Nov. 12, 2009).

The entire premise behind the training of a “superb athlete” is the creation of a person that exceeds the “norm.”  This, in turn, changes WHAT a person considers their own personal “norm.”  In most cases. it exceeds that of the “regular” person that has not engaged in much physical activity.  Here is where I think the two disciplines diverge.

There are aspects of athletic training that rarely make it into the lexicon of Physical Therapy, I believe.  On what do I base this?  Well, I have been involved in both.  And I have rarely heard the use of terms in the same way. What do I mean?

Well,  just as an example, much of athletic training focuses on “kinesiology.”  Kinesiology is a discipline that focuses on Physical Activity.  Hoffman, S. J. (2008). Shirl J. Hoffman. ed (in English). Introduction to Kinesiology (3 ed.). Human Kinetics. A kinesiological approach applies scientific based medical principles towards the analysis, preservation and enhancement of human movement in all settings and populations.  “Welcome to the Ontario Kinesiology Association” Oka.on.ca.  Kinesiology, http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Kinesiology&oldid=319155496 (last visited Nov. 12, 2009).

What does this all mean?  No physical therapist has ever used the term kinesiology with me until I bring it up.   They are familiar with the term and it’s meaning, but it is rare that it comes up in their day to day work life.  But, it sounds just like Physical Therapy, doesn’t it?  That is my point exactly!

Much of what we learn in athletic training and in physical therapy are applicable to each, but the two are not generally viewed as two sides of the same coin!

Next: Physical Therapy, Part 2

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