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What are some other career paths similar to becoming a physical therapist?
I am looking to become a physical therapits and entering the field of sports medicine. This topic pertians to me mainly because of my love of sicence and me being a baseball player.
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Loryn’s Answer
Nimi did an amazing job answering this question already but I wanted to just add a few more options. Becoming a physician assistant is a graduate degree that would allow you to specialize in orthopedics or sports medicine helping with the medical management of injuries by performing steroid injections, helping in surgeries, ordering imaging to diagnosis injuries, etc. If you were to go the personal trainer route, I would highly recommend getting a strength in conditioning coach certification known as the CSCS. Generally speaking if you want to spend a significant amount of time actually with the athletes I would recommend PT, OT, CSCS, or Athletics trainer routes.
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Nimi’s Answer
There are a few careers are similar to becoming a physical therapist that also help people recover, move better, and stay healthy! There is a physical therapist assistant (PTA), which requires about two years of schooling for an associate degree. PTAs work under licensed PTs to help patients perform exercises, stretches, and mobility training, often in hospitals, outpatient clinics, and rehabilitation centers. Then there is occupational therapy (OT), which focuses on helping people regain independence in daily activities like toileting, dressing, and transferring. Occupational therapists need a master’s degree, while occupational therapy assistants (OTAs) can start with a two-year associate degree. Both work in hospitals, schools, and community programs, supporting individuals recovering from illness, injury, or disability.
If you’re interested in the athletic or fitness side due to your love of sports, becoming an athletic trainer or sports medicine specialist can be a great fit. Athletic trainers usually earn a bachelor’s or master’s degree in athletic training and are licensed healthcare professionals who prevent, diagnose, and treat sports-related injuries. They often work in schools, universities, professional sports teams, or orthopedic clinics. Sports medicine specialists, who are typically physicians or advanced practitioners, require more extensive schooling like medical school and residency but focus on diagnosing and managing injuries and improving athletic performance. A less intensive route is becoming a personal trainer, which generally requires certification rather than a college degree. Personal trainers work in gyms, wellness centers, or private settings to design exercise programs, teach proper movement, and help clients reach fitness, athletic, or sport goals.
Other related options include becoming an exercise physiologist or kinesiologist, which typically requires a bachelor’s degree in kinesiology or exercise science and involves developing exercise and rehabilitation programs for people recovering from illness or improving health. These professionals can work in hospitals, cardiac rehab programs, and fitness or wellness centers.
There is also massage therapy, which takes about six to twelve months of certification and focuses on pain relief and muscle recovery. Finally, rehabilitation aides or therapy technicians receive on-the-job training and support therapists in clinics and doesn’t require more than a high school degree.
There are many options that would still allow you to work with other people and integrate your love of sports and science!
If you’re interested in the athletic or fitness side due to your love of sports, becoming an athletic trainer or sports medicine specialist can be a great fit. Athletic trainers usually earn a bachelor’s or master’s degree in athletic training and are licensed healthcare professionals who prevent, diagnose, and treat sports-related injuries. They often work in schools, universities, professional sports teams, or orthopedic clinics. Sports medicine specialists, who are typically physicians or advanced practitioners, require more extensive schooling like medical school and residency but focus on diagnosing and managing injuries and improving athletic performance. A less intensive route is becoming a personal trainer, which generally requires certification rather than a college degree. Personal trainers work in gyms, wellness centers, or private settings to design exercise programs, teach proper movement, and help clients reach fitness, athletic, or sport goals.
Other related options include becoming an exercise physiologist or kinesiologist, which typically requires a bachelor’s degree in kinesiology or exercise science and involves developing exercise and rehabilitation programs for people recovering from illness or improving health. These professionals can work in hospitals, cardiac rehab programs, and fitness or wellness centers.
There is also massage therapy, which takes about six to twelve months of certification and focuses on pain relief and muscle recovery. Finally, rehabilitation aides or therapy technicians receive on-the-job training and support therapists in clinics and doesn’t require more than a high school degree.
There are many options that would still allow you to work with other people and integrate your love of sports and science!