Best known for providing immediate on-field emergency care of professional and national athletes, Athletic Therapists are skilled in returning athletes to competition and maximizing their performance potential as fast as possible after an injury. Those same skills and techniques also make Athletic Therapists very effective in treating the injuries sustained by everyday active Canadians, including:
Common injuries from falls, daily activities and sports
Chronic and recurring conditions, pre-surgery and post-surgery
Emergencies at sporting events such as concussion, fractures, and spinal injuries
Workplace and motor vehicle accidents
Athletic Therapists rehabilitate injuries using the Sports Medicine Model, a method that focuses on the individual taking an active approach to rehabilitate their orthopedic injury. This results in a faster recovery, a reduced chance of further injury, and fewer visits to a healthcare professional. Athletic Therapists are also required to frequently take continuing education courses to ensure they are constantly learning advanced therapy techniques and updating their knowledge. Certified Athletic Therapists are recognized by the credential CAT(C)
Scope of Practice
Athletic Therapy covers a full spectrum of therapy skills and modalities including:
Prevention: Athletic Therapists prevent or minimize chances of injury using patient education, conditioning programs, postural evaluations, and equipment selection.
Assessment: Experts at evaluating the type and severity of injuries using established best practices
Emergency & Acute Care: Trained to provide basic emergency life support, recognize and manage acute traumatic neurological dysfunction, and prepare individuals for entry into the healthcare system.
Rehabilitation: Re-establishes individuals to their pre-injury lifestyle, Athletic Therapists take an active approach to rehabilitation, utilizing manual and movement therapies, electrical modalities, and targeted exercises to ensure musculoskeletal stability and function
Reconditioning: Athletic Therapists work with individuals on a customized basis to condition for preventative measures and re-condition with exercise rehabilitation to avoid further injury
