08/04/2026
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Firsthand training experience can absolutely help a therapist understand the physical demands of lifting, the frustration of injury, and why athletes rarely want to be told to simply stop.
But training experience alone does not qualify a clinician.
A surgeon does not need to have undergone the same surgery to perform it well. In the same way, an RMT does not need to look like an athlete or train exactly like every athlete they treat to provide effective care.
What matters is assessment, clinical judgment, continued education, experience, appropriate treatment planning, and knowing when to refer.
Rest can sometimes be necessary, but it is not always the complete answer. Training may be modified by adjusting the load, movement, range, or volume while capacity is gradually rebuilt.
Firsthand experience is valuable.
It just should not be confused with professional qualification.
