What is Athletic Therapy?

Initial assessments include a full musculoskeletal exam including static and dynamic postures, range of motion assessments, muscle strength testing, and utilizing movement screens as required. After findings are reviewed, manual therapy and corrective exercises are provided as necessary.

Follow up appointments include manual therapy, exercises, and reassessments as needed. Home programs are provided and updated at each session.

Athletic Therapy is covered by Manitoba Public Insurance, Worker’s Compensation Board of Manitoba, and many private insurance companies.

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Athletic therapy is a separate discipline that focuses only on orthopedic assessments, rehabilitation, and the prevention of conditions that affect the muscles, bones, and joints. Athletic Therapists assesses and treats all manner of musculoskeletal issues. Which means if you’ve injured a muscle, bone or joint or are active and want to avoid injuring your muscles, bones or joints, then seeing a certified Athletic Therapist may be just the thing for you.

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Employing a sport medicine model, Athletic Therapy includes assessment, treatment, rehabilitation and education. In fact, Athletic Therapy views patient education as a crucial cornerstone to a healthy and rapid recovery. Therapy can include exercises, learning how to prevent re-injury and even learning about lifestyle factors that can help you get back to doing what you love faster.

After assessing what is wrong, we turn to a variety of rehabilitative techniques which might include soft tissue mobilization, physical reconditioning and supportive strapping to improve the healing and protect.

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We are first responders - the course that teaches patient assessment model, cardiopulmonary resuscitation, hemorrhage (bleeding) control, and care for a variety of acute and chronic conditions.

The picture we might immediately conjure for Athletic Therapy is the therapist running out onto the field when an athlete has been hurt during a game, in reality, we treat a wide range of patients. From kids with concussions to seniors recovering from hip replacement surgery, Athletic Therapists always work to help their patients get back doing what gives them joy whether playing sports or being able to roll around on the carpet with the grand kids.

Prevention

• Instruction to individuals on the use and application of commercially made or custom made protective equipment to minimize the risk of injury, illness or health related conditions

• Provide custom-made devices or properly apply commercially made products in order to provide prophylactic/protective measures to minimize the risk of injury, illness or health related conditions

• Patient education on risks and corrective actions associated with participation in fitness and sport programs, workplace ergonomics and musculoskeletal injury prevention in both the active lifestyle and workplace settings

• Facilitate physical conditioning by designing and implementing programs to reduce the risk of injury, illness or health-related conditions

Assessment

• Formulate an Athletic Therapy diagnosis by interpreting the mechanism of injury; determining signs, symptoms and predisposing factors of an injury, illness or health related condition; performing specific physical, orthopedic or fitness testing in accordance with accepted procedures to assess an injury, illness and/or health related condition

• Assess for/recognize the potential of a sport related traumatic brain injury/concussion

• Assess the biomechanical impact of injury, illness or health-related condition to promote ergonomically correct function

• Reassess the status of injuries, illnesses and/or health-related conditions using standard techniques and documentation to determine appropriate treatment, rehabilitation and/or fitness and reconditioning plans

Rehabilitation

Preparing individuals to re-establish their pre-injury lifestyle, Athletic Therapists take an active approach to rehabilitation, including manual and movement therapies, electrical modalities, and targeted exercises to ensure musculoskeletal stability and function.

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• Myofascial Release Techniques

• Acute Injury Management / Pain Control

• Orthopeadic Device Prescription & Brace Fitting

• Athletic Taping / Supportive Taping

• Injury Prevention Programs

• On-site Medical Coverage

• Personal Training

• Concussion Screening & Management

• Custom Rehabilitation Programs

Reconditioning

Athletic Therapists work with individuals on a customized basis to condition for preventive measures and re-condition with exercise rehabilitation to avoid further injury.
 

Education and Certification

The Canadian Athletic Therapists Association (CATA) oversees the certification process of Certified Athletic Therapists across the country. In addition to completing a Bachelor’s degree, Athletic Therapists must complete the Athletic Therapy program at one of eight CATA-accredited institutions in Canada, including on-field and in-clinic practical training. Certification Candidates must hold a valid First Responder certificate and, after graduating, must successfully pass the National Certification Examination.

And it doesn’t stop with certification. An Athletic Therapist must annually demonstrate they remain up-to-date with current trends and new research in the areas of rehabilitation, orthopedic assessment and emergency care in order to continue to be certified by CATA. They are required to achieve 21 continuing education credits every three years and maintain a valid CPR-HCP.