Balance Physical Therapy

Is a degree in sports medicine the same as a degree in physical therapy?

Will or can they work interchangeably or is there a difference? If so, what is it?

Public Comments

1. A degree in sports medicine would imply that you are a physician who has decided to specialize in the treatment of athletes. In the US, there is no residency program for sports medicine and anyone can techically call themselves a sports medicine specialist, however a physician can complete specialized training after their residency to complete a 1-2 year fellowship in sports med. Most of these physicians tend to complete their residency in family medicine or orthopedic surgery. A physical therapist, however, is an allied health profession who evaluates and treats patients with functional limitations with concepts of physical therapy. In PT, you can become a certified sports specialist as endorsed by the APTA after your standard training in PT. However, you do not need to complete the sports specialist certification to work with athletes, but if that is your desired area of focus, it is recommended. So, in conclusion, no they cannot be used interchangably. A degree in sports medicine traditionally denotes a physician who specializes in the treatment of athletes...but really their degree is in medicine with a residency in _____ and a fellowship in sports med. However, there are many "allied health professions" under which the broader collective term of "sports medicine" such as physical therapist, athletic trainers, personal trainers, sports nurtitionists, etc...each with their own respective degrees. If you hope to become a physical therapist who wants to be a certified sports specialst, it would be most accureate to describe yourself as having a degree in physical therapy...that will differentiate your between the other professions.