Choosing the right practitioner: what’s best for you?
1 September 2025If you’re considering treatment or rehab, you might be wondering:
*“Who’s best for me – a physio, sports therapist, osteopath, or something else entirely?”*
At the Rehab Hub, we’re lucky to have a team made up of all three professions. But here’s the important part: whoever you work with here, you’ll be in the hands of a **musculoskeletal practitioner**.
What does “musculoskeletal practitioner” actually mean?
A musculoskeletal (MSK) condition is anything that affects your muscles, bones, joints, tendons or ligaments. These problems are incredibly common – think of back pain, sprained ankles, knee injuries, shoulder pain, or even the niggles that crop up from long hours at a desk.
Every practitioner at the Hub holds a degree in either **physiotherapy, sports therapy or osteopathy**, but in their day-to-day work, they all treat the same wide range of MSK conditions. That means you can feel confident that, whatever your problem, you’ll be working with someone who understands it inside out.
So what’s the difference between the professions?
While all our practitioners share the same goal – helping you recover, move better, and get back to the things you love – each profession has its own background and strengths.
- **Sports therapists**
Sports therapy grew out of the need to treat and rehabilitate athletes, but today sports therapists help just as many non-sporty people as they do athletes. They’re highly skilled in treating all kinds of MSK injuries, whether that’s a footballer with a hamstring tear or a builder with back pain. Their approach is very hands-on, with treatments that often include manual therapy, exercise prescription, patient education, and movement-based rehab to prevent future injuries.
- **Physiotherapists**
Physiotherapy has a broader scope, covering not only MSK conditions but also neurological and respiratory issues. In our clinic, physios use evidence-based treatments like manual therapy, exercise programmes, and education to help you regain movement and reduce pain. They’re often a great fit for post-surgery rehab, persistent pain, or more complex cases that need a wider approach.
- **Osteopaths**
Osteopaths take a holistic view, aiming to restore balance and natural healing in the body. They use techniques such as joint mobilisation, stretching, and massage to ease pain and improve function. Many people see an osteopath for back or neck pain, joint problems, or headaches – and osteopathy is particularly well-suited to nerve pain and spinal issues.
More than titles and techniques
Your choice of practitioner isn’t just about their profession. Experience, additional training, personality and – most importantly – how comfortable you feel with them all play a big role.
Every one of our team continues learning and refining their skills long after qualifying, so they can give you the most up-to-date and effective care. We also work closely together, often cross-referring if another approach might be better suited to your needs.
The bottom line
Whether you see a physio, sports therapist, or osteopath at the Hub, you’ll be working with a musculoskeletal practitioner who understands MSK conditions and is committed to helping you recover.
And if you’re still not sure who would be the best fit? Just give us a call – we’ll happily match you with the right practitioner so you can get started on your road to recovery.
