Wellness specialists

SPECIALISTS AND REFERRALS

Along with the new supplements, equipment and exercises being invented every day, it seems there are more occupations and qualifications that are being introduced to the sports science field. Along with these specialists, personal trainers need additional qualifications to deal with special populations and know the proper professionals who can assist in this field that seems to be growing by the day.

From childhood to old age, there are different advisors in all forms, but it is quite ironic that they play on balls throughout. From coaches and kinesiologists to physiotherapists, there are many special needs in the general population to prevent injuries, improve performance or mobility. 

Before the birth of a child, the gynaecologist usually approves the type of exercise that the mom-to-be should undertake. All personal trainers should know the basics about pregnancy, even if they do not have a pregnancy qualification because the pregnancy problems (hernia, ruptured muscles and pelvic floor weakness) often remain a problem after the baby weight is reduced. 

The children’s fitness market is full of income generating possibilities as parents are often willing to spend money on their offspring that they would be hesitant to spend on themselves. I’ve had female clients cancel sessions because they would rather use the money for their children’s motor skills development than their own exercise. It even costs money for children to partake in supervised play groups and these classes involve simple tasks that improve co-ordination, motor skills, balance and reactivity. The child kinesiology therapists focus on movement patterns as children develop to prevent injuries and imbalances later in life. Once a child starts playing sport, the coaches may refer their good athletes to personal trainers, pilates instructors and specialist coaches, but this is seasonal.

When an injury sets in, the course of action is usually decided by the type of injury and the severity, but the opinion of the personal trainer is often relied upon. While we are not equipped to deal with serious injuries, we can refer to a medical professional. There is much debate between biokineticists (rehabilitating injuries through stretching, muscle activation and exercise), physiotherapists (rehabilitating injuries through manipulation and massage), chiropractors (rehabilitating injuries through manipulation of the spine and correcting alignment) and sports doctors (using postural assessment,

There are also professionals who work on specific body parts. A podiatrist works with feet, while an orthotist can build inners for the shoe and focus on gait correction.

When we examine an injury, it is critical to employ a wellness approach and focus on the physical and the psychological and recommend the services of a massage therapist, psychologist, body stress release practitioner, wellness coach or councilor. Each specialist has a different type of qualification and will appeal to a certain type of person.