Physiotherapy and Sports Therapy, what is the difference?

This is one of the most common questions we are
asked here at the James Grigg Centre’s so we thought
we would answer it the in the most simplest way
possible.

The definitions…..

Sports Therapy

“Sports Therapy is an aspect of healthcare that is specifically
concerned with the prevention of injury and the rehabilitation
of the patient back to optimum levels of functional, occupational
and sports specific fitness, regardless of age and ability.”

http://www.society-of-sports-therapists.org

Physiotherapy (physio)

“Physiotherapy is a healthcare profession with a science foundation.
The range of work is very broad and varied and involves working with
people to promote their own health and well being. Physiotherapy
helps restore movement and function to as near normal as possible
when someone is affected by injury, illness or by developmental or
other disability.”

http://www.csp.org.uk/

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As you can see, the definitions overlap quite considerably.

Physiotherapy is a protected title, i.e. only qualified chartered physiotherapists are allowed to call themselves physiotherapists. Sports Therapy is currently undergoing this process with the health professional council.

As it stands anyone can call themselves a sports therapist whether or not they have undertaken the “BSc (Hons)” degree regulated by the Society of Sports Therapists. This means that there can be many different levels of training that a sports therapist can receive. This is hopefully going to change in the near future.

The highest and most respected level of trainnig is the graduate degree and only practitioners that have completed this training can place the letters “BSc (Hons)” after their name. It is our recommendation that when you visit a sports therapist that you look for these letters to ensure they have undertaken the degree level of training.

There are many health care professions available to the public including; sports therapy, physiotherapy, chiropractic, osteopathy, cranio-sacral, podiatry etc. These all have their own individual definitions on what they do and how they differ in specific areas. The truth is that the fundamental goal within each profession remains the same…..

Help return the individual to whatever activity without pain
or discomfort in the shortest & safest amount of time possible.

It is a common misconception to believe that you should only go and see a sports therapist if you have a sports related injury. This is simply something that is not true. A sports therapist is highly trained to treat all kinds of musculoskeletal pain or injury regardless of their sporting level.

The James Grigg Centre’s only employ graduate Sports Therapists and are therefore extremely confident in their approach to assessment, diagnosis and treatment of pain.

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other services

What else we do at James Grigg Centres

Injury treatment | Sports massage | Personal training

Locations

Southampton Centre

Based in Hedge End just 2 minutes from
junction 7 on the M27

27 Wellstead Way
Hedge End
Southampton
Hampshire
SO30 2LE

Phone – 02380 014081
Email – southampton@jamesgrigg.co.uk

Salisbury Centre

Based inside the Raymond McEnhill Stadium
just 5 minutes from Salisbury City Centre

The Raymond McEnhill Stadium
Partridge Way
Old Sarum
Salisbury
Wiltshire
SP4 6PU

Phone – 01722 440688
Email – salisbury@jamesgrigg.co.uk

New Forest Centre

Based in the heart of the new forest
just a short drive from Downton and Fordingbridge.

The Bungalow
Hatchett Green
Hale
Fordingbridge
Hampshire
SP6 2NB

Phone – 01725 530196
Email – newforest@jamesgrigg.co.uk
For more information on our sports massage service please click here

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Job Vacany

Physiotherapy in Salisbury

We are currently looking for an experienced Physiotherapist to join our team. If you are a physio in Salisbury or wishing to practice physiotherapy in Salisbury then please contact us via the centres page with your CV and references.