I began asking myself this question as I pondered over the variety of CPD courses I could take over the next year. Do I expand my portfolio into coaching or perhaps a personal training qualification? There are many options for sports therapists and other therapists out there to choose from. But what is best?
My dad used to say he could fix anything except the crack of dawn and a broken heart. And I reckon he could, except for a vacuum cleaner once. He was a skilled mechanic and, even though he had no degree, an excellent engineer. He used his decades of experience to fix cars, planes and pretty much anything with an engine. He had skills that could translate to other areas without changing his occupation. And for me his advice led me to the decision to expand my sports therapist skill set rather than take on a new skill.
I have a tiny aversion to people who try to do everything all the time. I think it's great that they're ambitious, but to me it just means that some skills may be lacking or not fully developed. For example, if you train to do osteopathic techniques, hypnotherapy and personal training is it possible to stay highly skilled in all those areas without letting one slip? We are all allotted the same 24 hours in a day, but I can't imagine anyone is using all their skills all the time or even giving each skill the same amount of work.
Some skills work well together such as sports massage, acupuncture, mobilisations/manipulations, strength & conditioning and rehabilitation exercises. Those are skills that can be used in a variety of settings and can be honed, in some cases, at the same time. But other skills would require a different setting or in some cases could cause a conflict of interest.
I once came across a rugby club whose coach was also their physio. To me this is a blatant conflict of interest as he had no way to separate his desire for his players to play and his need to think of their health and welfare. There were many players that should not have been playing that day, but still did even after suffering concussions. I feel the same way about personal trainers who also do sports massage or sports therapy, and continue to be a personal trainer. Is it not feasible that one could make their clients work out harder than prescribed so they're sore and then suggest they see them for a sports massage? I'm not saying these things happen, but these are the things I think about when deciding my own CPD pathway. Could my clients perceive a conflict of interest in what I do?
For me the welfare of my clients is the most important part of my clinic. This means providing them with quality, knowledgeable information with regards to sports injuries and ways to treat their injuries. So this is where I will focus my future CPD endeavours.
I have already attended a Movement Screening & Strength Training for Runners course in order to provide my running clients with better analysis and techniques for their rehabilitation. And the best part about this course is that the instructors (both physios) had specialisms. One is a hip/running specialist and the other is a strength & conditioning specialist.
I am also a firm believer in the referral. If a client comes in and I feel acupuncture might help or perhaps they would like advise on a personal trainer I am happy to refer to other professions. I think it's important to collaborate with other sport injury professionals so that we can all provide the best care with the best techniques for our clients. If an injury is out of my skill set I have a responsibility to refer onwards.
So, why be a "jack of all trades, master of none" when you can be the best sports therapist, osteopath, chiropractor, physiotherapist, sports massage therapist or personal trainer that you can be for your clients!
If you have any questions on CPD, sports therapy or conflict of interests please feel free to email me on sara@prestigesportinjury.co.uk
