With the begin of the new year, The Physio Connex team welcomes its newest member, Scott Howard. Apart from being an all-round nice guy, Scott is the brains-trust of all things exercise due to his dual qualification, as not only a Physiotherapist but an Accredited Exercise Physiologist (AEP) as well.
“But what’s the difference?”, I hear you ask.
Exercise and Sport Science Australia (ESSA) explain that AEPs are university qualified professionals equipped with the knowledge to design safe and effective exercise programs for people living with, or at risk of developing, chronic medical conditions.
“So they’re basically a personal trainer?”… No!
To gain accreditation, Exercise Physiologists must:
- Graduate from a minimum of 4 years of study in an ESSA accredited course
- Complete over 500 hours of practical placement in the exercise science and physiology industry
Given their extensive study, people who would benefit from an AEP program include those living with:
- heart conditions
- lung diseases
- neurological issues
- musculoskeletal injuries
- cancer
- kidney malfunction
- mental health disorders
“So how are they different from Physio’s?.…”
Physiotherapists have the ability to assess injury and use a whole range of techniques and skills, as well as exercise, to promote improvement on people’s function, pain and fitness. These can include mobilisation, massage, taping, dry needling / western acupuncture, prescribing and making splints, braces and casts.
Both professionals are found in places like hospitals, GP clinics, sporting teams at the local and international level and at private practices near you. They work together well to get the quickest and most thorough change for the individual’s problem, whether that be a rolled ankle all the way through to cancer or a stroke.
Services delivered by Exercise Physiologists may be claimable under compensable schemes such as Medicare and are covered by most private health insurers. If you have previously been nervous to try exercise due to a few health conditions – give Scott a call – he will get you moving, feeling and living better. And doing so confidently!
Written by Andrew Alexander (Musculoskeletal Titled Physiotherapist) and Scott Howard (Physiotherapist and Accredited Exercise Physiologist)
