What kind of physical therapist is right for me?
Are you someone who loves to be active and is itching to get back in the game after an injury?
Are you wondering who to trust with your physical therapy and recovery? A Sports Clinical Specialist (SCS) physical therapist is exactly who you are looking for.
Hi! Let me introduce myself. My name is Dr. Asha Anand and I’m a Doctor of Physical Therapy at Alpine Fit. In addition to having my doctorate in physical therapy, I’m also a Sports Clinical Specialist (SCS) which is another set of letters after my name that essentially means I’m a physical therapist who specializes in sports medicine and rehabilitation.
I went the extra mile to specialize as an SCS because I’m passionate about helping athletes and active people just like yourself come back from injury and return to sport and activity. Nothing makes me happier than seeing a cyclist back out on his bike or a runner lacing up her shoes again with confidence.
So, what is a Sports Clinical Specialist (SCS)?
Glad you asked! After completing a doctorate program in physical therapy, physical therapists must pass a national board-exam to become fully licensed to work. What most people don’t know, however, is that after completing that initial board-exam, PTs can also go on to specialize in certain areas (Orthopedics, Pediatrics, Geriatrics, and Sports, among others). Most of what is learned in PT school just skims the surface—after all, there are so many different areas of physical therapy–PTs can work in hospitals, nursing homes, rehabilitation centers, and outpatient clinics, to name a few. Just like a physician learns general medicine and then specializes in a certain field, PTs can also undergo extra training to become specialists in their chosen field.
Acquiring my SCS set me apart from my peers without similar training. Consider this: in 2022, there were only 4 physical therapists with their SCS in the state of Colorado. That same year, only 2,961 physical therapists nation-wide had acquired the same distinction. If you consider that about 578,565 people are employed as PTs in the US, that is only 5% of PTs that hold the sports clinical specialist certification.
Ok, so I’ve got some letters behind my name. So what? How does this help YOU?
Working with a physical therapist who is board-certified as a Sports Clinical Specialist means you’ll get a practitioner who:
Understands how you MOVE in your sport…
- As a physical therapist with my SCS have a clearer understanding of various sports biomechanics and how the kinetic chain (whole body) must work in order for you to perform at your best.
Can DIAGNOSE your injury
- I have experience diagnosing acute injuries on the field/in-clinic using manual testing and avoiding costly imaging techniques
And more often than not, can then TREAT your injury CONSERVATIVELY
- I’ll treat you using the most recent evidence-based knowledge so you can avoid surgery and longer time off the field (or doing your chosen athletic activity)
Knows how to TRAIN you
- I’m trained in the strength and conditioning side of rehab: how to help you through training periodization to prevent overuse injuries while enhancing performance
Uses FUNCTIONAL MOVEMENT SCREENING
- I utilize functional movement screening and assessment to identify biomechanical issues and motor control dysfunction that creates unwanted movement patterns that set you up for injury—and I know how to treat what I see.
Administers RETURN-TO-SPORT testing
- I administer return-to-sport testing (strength assessment, hop tests, agility tests, etc) that can identify any asymmetries or muscular imbalances that put you at risk for re-injury. This ensures your athletic longevity and lifelong health, because the #1 predictor of injury is having had another injury in the past.
Now, it’s your turn. What is that you want for your athletic performance?
It comes down to what YOU want. If you think you’d like to work with someone who knows the ins and outs of sports physical therapy, I’d love to be part of your journey. To learn more about me, my physical therapy credentials, and who I choose to work with, click here.
If you’re curious about more ways to prevent injury, talking with a Doctor of Physical Therapy is a great place to start.
Click here to schedule your 30-minute free discovery visit today
