The debate between kinesiotherapist vs physical therapist has been a topic of discussion among healthcare professionals for many years. While physical therapists are typically well-known for their rehabilitative and therapeutic services, kinesiotherapists are less well-known, but no less important. Kinesiotherapists focus on the prevention and management of physical disorders through the use of therapeutic exercise as well as general physical activity. They are responsible for designing and implementing personalized programs that focus on the proper use of movement to improve a patient’s quality of life. On the other hand, physical therapists focus on the evaluation, diagnosis, and treatment of conditions that limit a patient’s physical abilities. They use a variety of methods to restore function, reduce pain and improve movement. In this blog post, we’ll take a look at the differences between kinesiotherapists and physical therapists to determine which may be the right choice for you.
What is a physical therapist?
Active and passive therapies are used by physical therapists to treat injuries, manage chronic conditions, and assist people with disabilities. Stretching and exercise are frequently used in active therapies, while massages and ultrasound therapy are used in passive therapies. Physical therapists work to improve their patients’ quality of life by regaining function, reducing pain, and enhancing mobility. Physical therapists can treat patients of all ages or focus on a specific clinical area, such as geriatrics or sports.
What is a kinesiotherapist?
Kinesiotherapists, also known as exercise physiologists, use active movement to enhance a patient’s strength, athletic conditioning, and endurance. Additionally, these experts may create exercise regimens to stop future injuries or assist athletes in recovering from injuries. A kinesiotherapist’s mission is to improve their patients’ overall fitness in order to improve their quality of life. While kinesiotherapists frequently assist patients who are ill or injured, they also work with clients who have personal fitness goals unconnected to a health condition or injury.
Differences between a kinesiotherapist and a physical therapist
Physical therapists and kinesiotherapists both play similar roles, but they also follow different career paths.
Job responsibilities
Some of the duties performed by physical therapists and kinesiotherapists are similar. For instance, they both evaluate the medical histories and current conditions of their patients, create individualized treatment plans, monitor their progress, and instruct them on how to carry out rehabilitative exercises properly.
However, they also have responsibilities based on their respective careers. Physical therapists may concentrate on treating a specific area or injury, while kinesiotherapists may focus on a patient’s overall health.
Job duties unique to kinesiotherapists include:
Physical therapists frequently concentrate on offering patients cutting-edge rehabilitation and treatment services. Additionally, these professionals might focus on a certain clinical area, like orthopedics or geriatric patients.
Job duties unique to physical therapists include:
Education requirements
You need a bachelor’s degree in a relevant subject, such as kinesiology or exercise science, to pursue a career as a kinesiotherapist. Anatomy, physiology, kinesiology, nutrition, and athletic care and training are common topics covered in health and science courses. Many degree programs in kinesiology demand the completion of at least 1,000 hours of clinical practice. These clinical hours must be completed under the direction of a certified kinesiotherapist. Although you are not required to have a master’s or doctoral degree, having one could help you find employment in the medical field or benefit your career in other ways.
You also need a bachelor’s degree in a relevant field, like kinesiology, exercise science, or physiology, to pursue a career as a physical therapist. Your next step should be to earn a Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) degree after finishing your undergraduate studies. Although some institutions offer a combined bachelor’s and doctoral degree program that lasts about six years, these programs typically last three years to complete. DPT students are required to complete a predetermined number of clinical hours under the guidance of a licensed professional. You will complete a year-long residency program after finishing the degree program.
Licensing and certification
Work environment
Hospitals, medical offices, nursing homes, and in-home healthcare facilities are typical workplaces for physical therapists. They may also operate independent practices.
Kinesiotherapists work environment may vary depending on what they do. Patients with clinical issues may be the focus of those who work in hospitals, clinics, nursing homes, and rehabilitation facilities. Kinesiotherapists with a focus on fitness or athletic performance may work in clinics for performance improvement, sports performance consulting companies, fitness facilities, and corporate wellness initiatives. Additionally, they are able to work as independent fitness consultants or athletic trainers in sports leagues.
During regular business hours, both professionals typically put in at least 40 hours per week. To accommodate their patients’ needs, however, some jobs that involve in-home therapy services may necessitate travel and more flexible hours. As they spend the majority of their workdays on their feet and assist in lifting or moving patients, both roles require strong physical stamina.
Salary
Tips for choosing your career path
Both physical therapists and kinesiotherapists assist patients in raising their general quality of life. Your personal preferences, career objectives, and financial resources will determine which of these two career paths you take. You can use the following advice to choose the path that suits you the most:
Are Kinesiology and Physical Therapy the Same?
FAQ
Why would you go to a kinesiologist?
Kinesiotherapists treat patients who have any kind of movement difficulty with rehabilitative exercise, reconditioning, and physical education. As a form of exercise therapy to treat service members’ wounds so they could return to active duty, the profession developed during World War II.
Is human Kinetics the same as kinesiology?
Kinesiology is a type of therapy that examines imbalances that might be contributing to disease in the body using muscle monitoring (biofeedback). The goal of kinesiology is to identify and treat imbalances that may be caused by stress, poor nutrition, or minor injuries.
