Just as there are many areas of medicine that physicians can specialize in (neurology, cardiology, nephrology, orthopedics, dermatology, etc.), the American Physical Therapy Association has established 7 specialty areas in which physical therapists can be board certified. Only 10% of the physical therapists in the U.S. are Board Certified in a specialty, which requires demonstrated experience in the specialty field and a passing score on an extensive written exam. This allows the Board Certified Specialist to display that they have a greater breadth of knowledge and skills in a particular area of practice than their peers. This includes Orthopedic and/or Sports rehabilitation.
So next time you are looking for someone with true knowledge in sports physical therapy, you want someone Board Certified as an Orthopedic Clinical Specialist or a Sports Clinical Specialist. These specialists have advanced training, and must have completed at least 2,000 hours working specifically with athletes. They know the biomechanics of sport, exercise physiology, and sports medicine. And they know how to get you back in the game!!!
OSPT has both Board Certified Sports and Board Certified Orthopedic Clinical Specialists.
- For more information on Board Certification from the American Physical Therapy Association please click on the following links:
