As Accredited Exercise Physiologists, we are commonly mistaken for physiotherapists, and are frequently asked how our profession differs from that of a Physiotherapist.
This enquiry can often come from patients, friends, family members and even other health professionals.
Whilst both health professionals have a common end goal when it comes to treating patients, we do however go about this is different ways.
Exercise Physiologists delivering prescription and education on trigger point therapy and self-massage techniques, using equipment such as foam rollers and trigger point balls.
Physiotherapists, on the other hand, can primarily deliver soft tissue mobilisation through massage, acupuncture, dry needling and ultrasounds, but can also prescribe self-massage techniques.
Physiotherapists are able to deliver the injury diagnosis and prognosis, whereas Exercise Physiologists receive the injury diagnosis and deliver the rehabilitation prognosis.
Exercise Physiologists specialise in providing lifestyle education and lifestyle modification techniques to support those with a wide range of chronic health conditions (including cancer, diabetes, respiratory conditions, mental health conditions, and cardiac related conditions) to promote improved health and wellness and decrease risk of all-cause morbidity.