Athletic Trainer Education – Starting Your Career in Sports Medicine
Posted by in Sports Medicine on December 7, 2011
Have you made the decision to enter Sports Medicine as an Athletic Trainer? It is not uncommon for individuals to consider this an easy field to enter. It looks easy when you see an Athletic trainer sprint onto the field to help out a player with a sprained ankle. The reality is much different. An Athletic Trainer Education is demanding. The career is highly rewarding both personally and financially, but requires intensive preparation. Let us take a look at some of the requirement you will be facing.
Educational Options for Your Athletic Trainer Degree
You have two basic options for your Athletic major.
Bachelor of Science in Athletic Training
Masters Degree in Athletic Training
The bachelor degree programs required for certification are currently offered by 342 different colleges and universities around the USA. The Masters programs are more limited with only 24 programs currently being accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education (CAATE). Read the rest of this entry »
Physical Therapy and Sports Medicine – Know the Differences
Posted by in Sports Medicine on November 28, 2011
It isn’t unusual to use the terms sports medicine and physical therapy interchangeably. However the two aren’t exactly the same things even though you may find yourself the patient of both fields at the same time.
While compatible, the difference between the two branches of medical discipline is clear. Both are effective for treating injuries, diseases and disorders of the muscle and skeletal systems of the body and both are useful for the prevention of future injury or disease symptom reoccurence. By taking an individual look at both types of medical assistance, you will soon see the differences between physical therapy and sports medicine.
Let’s take a look at the field of physical therapy first. Unlike sports medicine, physical therapy as a whole is devoted to correcting any injury, disease, or disorder of the bones and muscles that can be treated with non invasive techniques. The focus is to provide patients with relief from pain, improve their muscle, joint, and bone function, while providing techniques the patient can use on their own for additional healing. The primary tools of a therapist are good diagnosing and evaluating skills, knowledge of the musculoskeletal system, and knowledge of which therapy is effective for each situation. Read the rest of this entry »