Athletes put their bodies to the test daily by playing the sports they love. However, high-impact athletics can take a heavy toll on your body. Practices like athletic therapy provide prevention, rehabilitation, and maintenance care to improve athletes’ physical outcomes.
What is Athletic Therapy?
Athletic Therapy specializes in the prevention, evaluation and management of neuromusculoskeletal injuries (muscles, bones and joints, etc.), especially sports injuries. Their focus is on athletics and physical activity to help athletes return to their sport or individuals to return to an active lifestyle. They work with individuals of all ages and abilities, from amateur and professional athletes to the general population. During a session, they use a variety of techniques to help their patients manage and recover from injuries, improve their physical function and performance, and reduce the risk of future injuries. These techniques include manual therapy, exercise prescription, and modalities such as ultrasound and electrotherapy, and more. They also provide education on injury prevention, injury management, and safe return to activity.
What is the scope of care for an Athletic Therapist?
An Athletic Therapist is a healthcare professional who has the expertise, skill sets and ability to:
- Make use of sports and exercise principles to optimize performance, preparation and injury prevention programs
- Offer the immediate care of injuries and fundamental life support in a recreational, exercise &
competitive environment - Assess, treat and, where needed, refer on for other specialist advice and treatment
- Deliver appropriate sport and therapeutic massage in a sport & exercise context
- Plan and implement appropriate rehabilitation programs
5 Areas of Expertise
The range of skills that Athletic Therapists must possess is developed within five key areas of
expertise related to injury and illness in the sport and exercise environment.
These are:
- Prevention
- Recognition & evaluation
- Administration, treatment & referral
- Rehabilitation
- Education
More importantly, Athletic Therapists are not just rehabilitation experts. They have the education, expertise, skills and competence to provide immediate care in a first response role such as on the field care during a game. Also, Certified Athletic Therapists are required to show evidence that they are up to date with these skills.
Who benefits from Athletic Therapy?
Athletic Therapy is not just for high level athletes! Instead, they specialize in returning individuals to any level of activity, be it recreational sports, high level competition or leisure activities. Typically, rehabilitation techniques provided by Athletic Therapists utilizes a wide variety of manual therapy, exercise prescription, modalities and supportive tapping techniques. Additionally, your Athletic Therapist will personalize your treatment plan, helping improve the efficiency of treatments which may result in faster recoveries, and decreased chance of re-injury.
For example, some of the conditions we work with regularly with our Athletes are:
- Ligament injuries
- Meniscus Injuries.
- Lower back pain
- Shoulder pain
- Neck pain
- Shin splints
- Sciatica
- Tension headaches
- Tennis or golfer’s elbow
- Carpal tunnel syndrome
- And more!
Athletic Therapy at PhysioNow
Our treatment approach is focused on Performance, Wellness, Mobility, Balance & Proprioceptive training, Bracing, Compression, Modalities, Myofascial techniques and more. Initially, a thorough Assessment is essential to highlight problem areas and understand the cause of injury.
Areas that we focus our assessment on include:
- Posture
- Muscle weakness
- Stiffness
- Muscle & Fascia Tightness
- Mobility
- Exercise Prescription
- Home Exercises
- Sports Specific Training
- And Much More!
Athletic Therapy vs Physiotherapy
Athletic therapists work with clients of all ages and abilities, from amateur and professional athletes to the general population, and they may work in a variety of settings such as sports teams, clinics, hospitals, rehabilitation centers, and fitness facilities. Athletic Therapists and Physiotherapists are both healthcare professionals who specialize in the assessment, treatment, and rehabilitation of musculoskeletal injuries and conditions.
Both Athletic Therapists and Physiotherapists are licensed healthcare professionals, and they often work closely together to provide the best possible care for their patients. Both professions have a strong focus on patient-centered care and work with clients to improve their overall health, fitness and well-being.
Need help?
PhysioNow is an expert provider of athletic services in Oakville. We specialize in addressing posture, muscle weakness, stiffness, muscle and fascia tightness, mobility, and sports-specific training. Our team of experienced Physiotherapists and certified Athletic Therapists are dedicated to helping our patients achieve optimal health and wellness through personalized exercise prescription and home exercises.
Whether you’re recovering from an injury or looking to improve your athletic performance, PhysioNow has the expertise and resources to help you reach your goals. Currently, we offer Athletic Therapy at our PhysioNow Oakville North location! We are committed to providing the highest quality of care and personalized attention to help our patients achieve optimal health and wellness. Contact us to schedule an appointment and take the first step towards improving your posture, mobility, and overall health. Get started today!
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