Athletic Therapy vs. Physiotherapy: What's the Difference?

Posted by Alan - December 4, 2020


Athletic Therapy

Although pain and discomfort are common sensations that can result from stress or mild injuries, there comes a time when it’s essential to seek further assistance. Living with conditions that make it difficult to perform work will negatively affect your quality of life, so you may be exploring different options to improve your situation. 

Luckily, there are many specialists out there who can treat your condition, with physiotherapists and athletic therapists among the most highly recommended. Although they have the same end goal of restoring your body to the best physical state possible, the ailments they treat and how they address issues differ. Here’s what you need to know about the two:

All About Athletic Therapy

While the name might imply otherwise, athletic therapy isn’t just for athletes. This method of treatment helps you return to top physical condition or bring you back to a level of physical fitness you once were. With an athletic therapist, you’ll learn to use your body in distinct ways to treat your issues. It’s a hands-on treatment in which the therapist will create a plan tailored to your needs, helping you regain strength. However, athletic therapists are not as well-versed in whole-body systems, as they specialise in assisting people to recover from minor strains and aches. 

If you are an active person who has recently suffered from an injury, you’ll benefit from seeing an athletic therapist. They can help you recover and strengthen the injured parts, mostly minor musculoskeletal strains. With their expertise in rehabilitation, you’ll be on the road to recovery in no time.

All About Physiotherapy

Meanwhile, Brisbane physio goes beyond minor injuries. Although it is also a hands-on treatment, it significantly improves symptoms of pain and inhibited mobility in people while treating soft tissue injuries. Physiotherapists receive special training to address musculoskeletal aches. Many of these include the likes of bone fractures, dislocations, and other soft tissue tears. These specialists have a more thorough overview of the body and its functions beyond the scope of an athletic specialist. They understand how the body’s different systems work, allowing them to diagnose the causes of your issues rather than simply treat the pain. 

Physiotherapists can offer an accurate diagnosis of chronic conditions, ensuring a proper treatment plan that will smoothen recovery. Struggling with arthritis and chronic pain conditions or other similar injuries makes physiotherapy a great option. They’re also professionals that help athletes and performers maintain peak performance, making them an all-around specialist for many situations. 

Determining the Right Specialist for You

The two practices are treatment plans that can reduce pain and discomfort, improve mobility, and restore function to the affected areas on your body. Both involve strategies that will bring you back to optimal performance levels, helping you move easier and live more comfortably. However, physiotherapy offers the most thorough, comprehensive diagnosis and treatment plan between the two, offering you a safe path to recovery. 

Anytime Physio is a physio clinic in Brisbane that offers cost-effective physiotherapy, remedial massage, and pilates services. We are staffed with experts in musculoskeletal physiotherapy and sports injury physiotherapy. This training allows us to deliver tailored rehabilitation plans to each of our patients. Contact us today to get started on your recovery!