Physical therapists and exercise physiologists deliver services related to health care by treating patients with medical problems. The demands of their patients different, hence we experience key differences between the two professions.
Physical therapists receive higher salaries thus having expectations from their work than the exercise physiologists. Physiotherapists treat patients that are affected by an illness or are injured. They are sufficiently qualified to evaluate or diagnose the condition of the patient and use various strategies to treat the condition. The minimum educational requirement to get a job of a physiotherapist is a doctoral degree. On the other hand, exercise physiologists deal with people who have suffered from a disease; they plan the programs to exercise for improving the health of the patient. The minimum qualification of an exercise physiologist is a bachelor’s degree.
Both physiotherapists and exercise physiologists treat people having medical issues; We find them working in a medical office or a hospital environment. Physical therapists diagnose patients; they make use of exercise as well as some assistive devices for the treatment of their patients. The main objective of a physiotherapist is to help the patients to either gain or regain the motor functions and to manage pain. Whereas, exercise therapists help the patients in improving the physical health with the help of exercise. The exercise physiologists customize programs by focusing on the condition of the patients; the patients are helped to lose weight or improve mobility.
The physiotherapists should possess a doctoral degree in physical therapy along with a license. Only a quarter of physiotherapists work in hospitals, most of them work in medical offices. Physiotherapists also work in nursing homes and also deliver medical care to patients by visiting their homes. The work hours can be different; they may have to work in the evenings’ shifts and sometimes also on weekends, depending on where they are working. Physiotherapists deal with patients suffering from pain and mobility issues.
The exercise physiologists get a job as soon as they receive their bachelor’s degree. Most exercise physiologists are self-employed, and some work in medical offices or in hospitals. Exercise physiologists working in medical offices talk to physicians to discuss and opt for the best approach in treating the patients. The exercise physiologists work with patients who have suffered from diseases; they customize exercise plans for the patients to improve their health.