What's the Difference: Physical Therapist vs. Athletic Trainer?

Athletic Trainer vs Physical Therapist

March 5, 2025

Myself and a few other clinicians at Hulst Jepsen Physical Therapy had a unique journey in becoming physical therapists. We all became certified athletic trainers before becoming physical therapists. With this combination, we have a unique perspective on treatment for our patients as a dual credentialed clinician. We all have a passion for sports, caring […]

How to Become an Athletic Trainer

March 15, 2023

I graduated from Aquinas College back in 2019, which feels like forever ago! Since I began practicing 4 years ago, there have been some changes to athletic training education. The biggest change over the last few years is that the entry-level for the profession is now a master’s degree. Overall, the material that is covered […]

So, You Want to Be an Athletic Trainer?

November 30, 2021

So, You Want to Be an Athletic Trainer? As a semi-recent graduate (2016) of Central Michigan University’s (CMU) Athletic Training program I would like to shed some light on my experience, what changes are being made to many of the programs across the country, and what the requirements are once you are a Certified Athletic […]

Concussion Myths

August 23, 2021

With the start of the upcoming school year approaching, so is the beginning of contact sports seasons, such as football and soccer. An influx in sports seasons creates greater susceptibility in sustaining a concussion. These days, most schools and sports programs provide appropriate baseline testing and education, but sometimes the facts regarding concussions are misunderstood. […]

A Day in the Life of an Athletic Trainer

March 24, 2021

I love what I do! Being a part of athletics and students’ teams, cheering when they win, consoling when they lose and seeing them come back to their sports after an injury are amazing parts of my job. I joke with my students all the time that they should get a degree so they can […]

Why I Became an Athletic Trainer

March 5, 2021

I am often asked, “Why did you get into the field of athletic training?” My answer for why I became an Athletic Trainer is pretty typical. I played a lot of sports growing up, got hurt a bunch of times, hung out with my Athletic Trainer too much, thought she was really cool, and decided […]

Returning to my high school as an Athletic Trainer

September 17, 2019

Caledonia High School image via their website As a young Athletic Trainer working in the high school I graduated from, I often get asked the question, “What is it like working where you grew up?” I attended school at Caledonia from preschool through high school and graduated in 2012. I began college that fall and […]