Do you want to become a Sports medical and physical therapist and you do not know anything about the career or how to go about getting into it?
Stay tuned as this article is going to discuss what a sports medical and physical therapist is all about, how to get the job, skills needed on the Job, steps to take to become one and much more.
What Does a Sports Physical Therapist Do?
A well-trained and certified healthcare professional, a sports medical and physical therapist helps patients who have been hurt while engaging in sports or other physical activities, including former wide receivers Deshawn Shead and Richard Sherman, among many others.
If you enjoy sports but don’t want to participate as an athlete, a career in sports physical therapy may be right for you.
These professionals provide therapy and evaluation while patients engage in recovery activities or therapies to increase movement and strengthen injured body parts, which is how professional athletes are rehabilitated.
Sports Physical Therapist Job Duties
Physical therapists that specialize in sports may be responsible for a variety of tasks, such as:
1. Assessing patients’ physical fitness for sporting activity, from young toddlers to elderly people
2. Offering musculoskeletal injuries therapeutic care, such as therapeutic exercise (such as massage or manipulation), electrotherapy (such as ultrasound), therapeutic exercise (such as building or stretching exercises), or instruction in injury prevention and recovery.
3. Coordinating the creation of treatment plans for injured patients with doctors, therapists, physical trainers, coaches, and other medical experts.
4. Preparing medical records and insurance paperwork for patients, including the documentation of the treatments given and the results obtained.
5. Teaching patients how to engage in exercises and stretches that promote injury prevention or speed up injury recovery.
6. Assessing patients’ athletic prowess and making suggestions for their involvement in various activities based on their physical prowess and restrictions.
7. Creating workout plans to increase flexibility, muscle strength, and cardiovascular endurance
performing diagnostic tests on patients with chronic diseases to find and treat potential sources of pain, such as X-rays, electrocardiograms, and nerve conduction tests.
8. Advising patients to make modifications to their routines and lifestyles to help them avoid experiencing new or worsening ailments over time.
Sports Physical Therapist Salary & Outlook
The amount that sports physical therapists are paid varies according to their level of training and experience, the size of the company, and the location of the position.
Below is the estimate of how much they earn:
- $82,500 on average per year ($39.66/hour)
- Salary for the top 10%: $122,000 ($58.65/hour)
Over the following ten years, there will be a substantially quicker than-normal increase in the number of sports physical therapists employed.
Physical therapists will be more necessary as more individuals take up active hobbies like jogging and cycling because these activities might lead to injuries.
Additionally, an ageing population is anticipated to increase the number of hip and knee injuries in older persons, who would probably need physical therapy.
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Skills for a Sports medical and Physical Therapist
Critically analyzing Skills
Since sports medical and physical therapists examine the patients’ physical motion and injuries to identify the best course of rehabilitation, they need to have great analytical ability to do diagnostic screens and design the proper type of sports therapy treatment plans.
Empathy
Medical professionals show empathy by showing concern and compassion in clinical settings as various patients undergo rehabilitation therapy and exercises.
Training in anatomy and physiology
The therapist uses a thorough understanding of the human body to organize and carry out therapeutic procedures for patients who have sustained athletic-related injuries.
Training in Emergency Medicine
Sports medical and physical therapists, like any medical professional, should be ready to administer emergency medical care, such as CPR if a patient experiences life-threatening signs of a particular ailment while receiving treatment.
Physical stamina and power
A sports medical and physical therapist must therefore be physically fit and strong to perform their duties.
This is because these therapists spend a lot of time with their patients and do an excellent job treating them with massage therapy, rehabilitation exercises, and sports-specific training.
Coaching and Mentoring
As players regain strength and agility, a therapist works to restore the patient’s athletic skill and ability.
To prepare for the upcoming season, professional athletes may need inspiration, specific routines, and a lot of physical activity.
How to Become a Sports Physical Therapist
It requires substantial training and certifications to provide therapy for patients with sports-related issues and help them regain their ability to participate professionally or recreationally.
Check out how the processes listed below can help you take the necessary steps to become a certified sports physical therapist:
1. Complete your Undergraduate Studies
If you want to work as a sports physical therapist, you need more education than simply a high school diploma, therefore you should only choose universities that offer related degrees.
To become a physical therapist, you must have a bachelor’s degree in a related field like exercise science, biology, or athletic training.
To enhance your coursework, look for internships at sports medicine clinics or try volunteering to help in a collegiate sporting team or a physical rehabilitation centre.
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2. Complete Your Physical Therapy Graduate Program.
To work as a physical therapist, you must have a DPT (Doctor of Physical Therapy) degree.
Even if you can begin a DPT program after earning a bachelor’s degree, some programs could have specific requirements for undergraduate study.
The Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education must approve your DPT program.
In these three-year programs, emphasis is placed on both clinical experience and teaching physical therapy.
3. Obtain a Physical Therapy license
After earning a Doctor of Physical Therapy degree, you can sit for the license examination in the state where you want to practice.
You could work as a registered physical therapist after passing the National Physical Therapy Exam to get expertise in sports.
4. Obtain Sports Medicine Experience
A vital step to becoming a sports physical therapist is to work in the field of sports therapy.
Depending on where you work, you’ll need to complete an accredited residency program in a comparable medical facility or have at least 2,000 hours of professional experience working with patients in a sports therapy clinic.
Look for resources and job prospects in private clinics through the Doctor of Physical Therapy degree.
5. Obtain your CPR and Emergency Medical Care Certifications.
To be eligible for the exam that certifies you to practice sports physical therapy, you must complete CPR and emergency care courses.
To acquire training, sign up for a course sponsored by the American Heart Association or the American Red Cross and get CPR certified.
6. Pass the Sports Physical Therapy Certification exam
You can take the sports-specific examination for the American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties(ABPTS) if you’ve completed all the necessary back training and experience.
Before taking the test, it can be advantageous to join the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA).
If you are an APTA member, you can take the exam for less money, plus the ABPTS provides exam preparation advice, registration details, and study materials.
FAQ
What is the highest-paying PT job?
Sports medicine.
Cardiovascular.
Geriatrics.
Neurology.
Paediatrics.
Do Physical Therapists Make 6 Figures?
It varies. It is feasible for PTs to make $100,000 or more with some adjustment to the changeable factors: where you work, how frequently you work, and what you perform at work.
Given the lower profit margins in other settings, such as outpatient care and schools, it would be more difficult to reach this level.
How Many Years Does It Take To Become A Physical therapist?
While the typical DPT program lasts three years, there are some that condense the academic requirements into a shorter time frame.
This could help you control the overall cost of your education and enable you to start working in the field sooner. population and environment. Your education in physical therapy will cost a lot of money.
What is a major in physical therapy called?
You must obtain a bachelor’s degree before enrolling in physical therapy school.
Although many physical therapists pick kinesiology, exercise science, or sports training as their undergraduate major, there is no one optimum major for someone who wants to become a physical therapist.
What Subjects Do You Need To Become A Physical therapist?
Anatomy, kinesiology, physiology, and pathology courses are all included in the programmes of study since they are crucial for comprehending the human body and its processes.
Due to this training, many physical therapists opt to earn a master’s degree in addition to their undergraduate degree.
Is being a physical therapist worth it?
Physical therapy could be a career for you if you’re an outgoing person who enjoys getting to know individuals during a workday.
Physical therapists can assist patients in regaining their mobility or activity level, making this a fulfilling profession for those who value fostering professional connections.
Final Remarks
A sports medical and physical therapist is a lucrative career that has less competition, yet so many career advances.
If you’re interested in sports and medicine at the same time but do not want to dig deep into any of them, this profession is for you!
If you have any enquiries concerning any information contained in this article, you can share them in the comments section.
