Sports Therapy vs Physiotherapy: What's the Difference?
Sports Therapist or Physiotherapist - who should you see?
It’s a question we’re asked regularly at Axis Sports Clinic: what’s the difference between a Sports Therapist and a Physiotherapist?
The short answer is that there’s a lot of overlap. Both professions assess and treat musculoskeletal injuries, help people recover from pain, and use exercise-based rehabilitation to help you get back to the activities you enjoy.
The main differences tend to be in training background, scope of practice and areas of specialist expertise.
Physiotherapy
Physiotherapists complete a recognised physiotherapy degree and are trained across a broad range of healthcare areas. This can include musculoskeletal injuries, neurological conditions, respiratory care and rehabilitation.
At Axis Sports Clinic, Sue is our Physiotherapist, Advanced Physiotherapy Practitioner and Upper Quadrant Specialist. She has extensive experience managing complex injuries and is often the person to see when you need a more specialist assessment.
Sue can help with:
Post-surgical rehabilitation
Complex or persistent injuries
Conditions that require further investigation
Specialist assessment of neck, shoulder, upper back and arm problems
Rehabilitation following more complex injuries or surgery
Where clinically appropriate, Sue can also arrange or refer for further investigation, including appropriate imaging, and provide specialist treatments such as injections.
Physiotherapy can be particularly useful when an injury is complex, persistent, post-surgical or requires a more specialist level of assessment.
Sports Therapy
Sports Therapists specialise in the prevention, assessment, treatment and rehabilitation of musculoskeletal injuries, with a strong focus on movement, exercise and helping people return to the activities they enjoy.
At Axis, Megan has a degree in Sports Science and a Masters degree in Sports Therapy, and has worked with a wide range of clients - from everyday injuries and recreational athletes through to professional athletes.
And despite the name, Sports Therapy isn't just for athletes.
You might see a Sports Therapist for:
A running injury
Gym-related pain
A workplace-related muscle or joint problem
An injury from recreational sport
Ongoing aches or stiffness
Help returning to exercise after an injury
Advice on preventing injuries and building strength
Help improving how you move and perform
The focus is often the same: understand the problem, build capacity and help you return stronger.
So, which one do you need?
The good news is: you don't necessarily have to decide.
Both Sports Therapists and Physiotherapists can help with many common muscle and joint problems. The right choice depends on your injury, your goals and the level of assessment or support you need.
At Axis Sports Clinic, our team works together to make sure you're seen by the right person.
That might mean:
Investigating a complex or persistent injury
Recovering after surgery
Managing an everyday muscle or joint problem
Preventing future injuries
Building strength and movement capacity
Returning to running, the gym or your favourite sport
Simply getting back to doing the things you love without pain
You don't need to know which professional you need before you book.
If you're unsure, get in touch and we'll help point you in the right direction.
Physiotherapy
Particularly useful for:
Complex injuries
Post-surgical rehabilitation
Persistent problems
Specialist assessment
Neck, shoulder and upper limb conditions
Focus: Broad healthcare training with specialist musculoskeletal expertise.
Sports Therapy
Particularly useful for:
Sports injuries
Running and gym injuries
Exercise rehabilitation
Injury prevention
Returning to activity
Focus: Musculoskeletal injury, movement, rehabilitation and return to activity.