What are careers in nutrition and wellness?

Nutritionists, dietitians, and massage therapists are careers in nutrition and wellness. Here are descriptions of these careers and others in nutrition and wellness:

• Nutritionist

  Nutritionists are sometimes referred to as food scientists. They specialize in the health effects of food and often supervise dietary changes to a patient's medical treatment. Their main goal is to improve patients' health by educating them on what they should eat and devising meal plans for them.

  Nutritionists can work in a variety of settings, including hospitals, sports facilities, food manufacturers, nursing homes, food services departments, and private practices.

  Most nutritionists study food and nutrition to become a nutritionist and have bachelor's degrees in this area, and a good number of them also have advanced degrees in the field.

  Relevant courses for a nutritionist include food science, chemistry, biology, dietetics, and biochemistry when studying to become a nutritionist.

• Dietitian

  Dietitians have a very similar professional role to nutritionists. They advise patients on healthy eating options and plan meals to improve their overall health.

  Some common tasks include doing hands-on work with patients to regulate their eating schedules, educating patients and the public about the importance of a healthy diet, and assisting athletes with meal plans and other wellness strategies to improve performance.

  Most dietitians have bachelor's degrees in dietetics. Bachelor's degrees in food and nutrition, food service systems management, or other related areas, are also acceptable.

  In addition to getting the proper education, most states require you to pass the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR) exam to become a registered dietician. Many states also require you to gain an internship at a dietician practice, sometimes before passing the CDR exam.

  There are also specialized certifications you may obtain as a dietician; while these can help in terms of job prospects and salary, they are not a requirement.

• Massage therapist

  A massage therapist is a professional who massages a patient's muscles and soft tissues with the goal of relaxation and stress relief. Massage therapists take a holistic approach to pain management and relief through the use of different types of body massages.

  They also aim to reduce stress and anxiety in their patients. Massage therapists use muscle manipulation to target areas of a patient's body that are bothering them.

  Patients may see a massage therapist for a number of reasons, including after an injury, during pregnancy, to sustain athletic performance, and to treat anxiety, depression, sleep disorders, and headaches.

  Massage therapists go to massage therapy school to learn the foundational knowledge and skills needed for the profession.

• Physical therapist

  A physical therapist is a medical professional who helps patients recover from injuries or surgeries with the goal of reacclimating their bodies to normal usage.

  Physical therapists help patients recover or learn movement through personalized exercises and strategies. Their patients include ones with physical disabilities, chronic conditions, or injuries that limit their ability to perform daily tasks.

  Physical therapists aim to help these patients improve their mobility and increase the quality of their life. They work in a variety of medical environments, including hospitals, rehabilitation centers, professional sports franchises, inpatient and outpatient care programs, and private practices.

  Most physical therapists attend medical school to obtain a career in the industry.

• Personal trainer

  A personal trainer is someone who helps a client achieve physical fitness goals through exercise training. Personal trainers assess their client's bodily strengths and weaknesses and create customized workout plans.

  They provide physical and mental guidance while monitoring the client's progress on a regular basis. They also make sure that their clients don't get injured while training.

  Personal trainers may work at a gym or independently using their own exercise studio or visiting a client's home.

  Personal trainers may have studied physiology or kinesiology in college; however, this is not a requirement to work in the field.

• Kinesiologist

  A kinesiologist is a medical professional who works with athletes, while a physical therapist is a medical professional who works with all kinds of patients. A kinesiologist often helps athletes to recover from injuries.

  They also aim to maximize an athlete's physical abilities by improving their strength through athletic conditioning and endurance exercises.

  In addition to helping athletes recover from injuries, they may also design exercise programs to prevent future injuries. The primary goal of a kinesiologist is to enhance an athlete's quality of life by improving their overall fitness.

  Kinesiologists generally have advanced degrees in kinesiology.