Is there a difference between medical exercise training and corrective exercise?
We often get asked about the differences and similarities between corrective exercise and Medical Exercise.
Medical Exercise Training is specifically designed to use exercise as the sole modality in managing medical conditions.
It, also, requires collaboration and communication with medical professionals like physicians, physical therapists, and chiropractors.
Corrective exercise is the management of postural and muscular imbalances, which some say is part of Medical Exercise Training.
Corrective exercise and medical exercise training are both approaches used to address movement dysfunctions and improve physical function, but they serve different purposes and contexts.
Corrective Exercise
Corrective exercise focuses on identifying and addressing specific movement patterns that may lead to injury or dysfunction. It often involves:
- Assessment: Evaluating posture, movement mechanics, and muscle imbalances
- Targeted Interventions: Focuses on implementing exercises designed to correct imbalances, enhance flexibility, strengthen weak areas, and improve overall movement quality.
- Rehabilitation: Aimed at preventing injuries or re-injuries, often used to help keep clients healthy and injury free.
Medical Exercise Training
Medical exercise training is more clinically oriented and typically involves:
- Medical Supervision: Conducted from the recommendations of healthcare professionals, such as physical therapists or physicians, and implemented by Medical Exercise Specialists and personal trainers.
- Pathology Focus: Designed for individuals with specific medical conditions (e.g., chronic pain, post-surgery rehabilitation).
- Customized Programs: Tailored exercise plans based on medical assessments, aiming to improve health outcomes and facilitate recovery.
Key Differences
- Scope: Corrective exercise is broader and often used in fitness settings; medical exercise training is specifically for individuals with acute or chronic medical conditions.
- Supervision: Medical exercise training is typically administered with the guidance of healthcare providers, while corrective exercise may not require the same level of medical oversight.
- Goals: Corrective exercise focuses on improving movement patterns and preventing injuries, while medical exercise training aims to manage specific health conditions and enhance rehabilitation.
Both approaches are valuable in promoting movement quality and overall well-being, but they cater to different needs and populations.
If you, the corrective exercise client, has a medical history that’s remarkable for an injury, surgery, or a medical condition related to the postural or muscular imbalance, then you can be classified as a Medical Exercise client.
If you, corrective exercise client, has an unremarkable history for injury, surgery, or disease, then we will simply manage
your postural or muscular imbalance with ongoing functional exercise.
This scenario doesn’t require communication with your doctor, physical therapist, or chiropractor; it just requires ongoing functional exercise.
So yes, there are subtle differences between Medical Exercise Training and corrective exercise.
As medical exercise professionals, we are well versed in muscle strength testing and assessing of postural and muscular imbalances, and the ongoing care of your chronic medical conditions.
Medical Exercise Training at TREBEL follows a protocol based training plan that allows us to tailor your exercise plan based on your individual needs, medical history, and rehabilitation progress.
This blend of the science and art of medical sciences ensures safe and effective training sessions that promotes a safe and efficient recovery process, while similar to corrective exercise, provides a different focus and outcome.