Personal Fitness Trainer

Why should you work with both a physical therapist and a personal fitness trainer?

Most people don’t think about using physical therapists and personal fitness trainers at the same time. But the truth is that these two groups of professionals often collaborate to help people. 

So, why don’t we think about physical therapists and trainers collaborating? For one thing, most people equate physical therapists with treating injuries and recovering from surgeries. Additionally, fitness trainers are thought of as simply helping us stay fit and healthy. Yet, there are several very good reasons why you should think about working with both a physical therapist and a personal fitness trainer. 

Three reasons to work with both a physical therapist and a personal fitness trainer: 

  1. Both can help with injury recovery — Recovering from an injury often takes longer than most people think. For instance, it can take up to six months for a severe ankle sprain to heal. 

Physical therapists can help you find ways to address injury symptoms like pain and swelling. Once these are under control, a physical therapist and personal trainer can collaborate to rebuild your strength and flexibility.

  1. You can attack pain from multiple angles — Certain injuries and medical conditions can be more painful during normal activities like walking. Others might cause greater pain when you’re trying to work out. Physical therapists can help you find ways to do normal daily activities with less pain. Fitness trainers can work with you to minimize pain while you’re working out. 
  1. It helps reduce risk of future injuries — Developing one injury can increase your likelihood of a similar injury. One excellent example is an ankle sprain. Medical research shows that 73% of people who sprain their ankle once are more likely to have future ankle sprains. 

Physical therapists and personal fitness trainers can work together to reduce your injury risk. Your physical therapist can help you retrain your body to walk and do other activities with better foot and ankle posture. Trainers can add in an individualized strengthening program for your weakened ankle. This combo can help reduce your risk of a similar injury in the future. 

Find both physical therapy and personal fitness training at SOL PT

Our SOL team includes experts in both physical therapy and physical performance. We’re ready and willing to help you find out how beneficial it can be to combine these two types of services. You can even use both of these services without leaving your home. Why? Our team offers both virtual physical therapy and virtual personal training services.

Contact our team today for more information about all the services we offer or to schedule an initial in-person or virtual PT or training appointment. 

About the author

Sports + Orthopedic Leaders Physical Therapy & Performance Training serves the communities of Oakland, Alameda, Berkeley, Walnut Creek, Orinda, San Francisco and beyond. SOLPT’s award winning team of Physical Therapists, Performance Coaches and movement experts has helped thousands reach their rehabilitation and performance goals to move beyond pain. We're committed to helping anyone of any fitness level move effectively and more powerfully for a lifetime. We offer rehabilitation and performance services to all populations, with specialties in Sports Rehabilitation, Active Release Techniques, and Manual Therapy Techniques plus Personal and Small Group Training, Sport Clinics and Wellness Services.

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