ATHLETIC THERAPY TREATMENT IN OAKVILLE

A Quick History of Athletic Therapy

A common question we receive from our patients is what the difference is between all the health care professions. Athletic therapy is considered a newer profession than Physiotherapy and Massage Therapy, but is certainly just as important! The birth of Athletic Therapy happened in the 1950s in the US, and was adopted soon after in Canada, as interest in athletics and participation continued to grow. As a result, a need for a dedicated specialist to support athletes and teams, especially after injury, was identified. From there, the profession took off and evolved into our modern-day athletic therapy, following the Sports Medicine model of care.

What is Athletic Therapy Treatment?

Athletic Therapy is a healthcare profession that specializes in the prevention, assessment, and treatment of musculoskeletal injuries (muscles, bones, joints), especially as they relate to athletics and the pursuit of physical activity. While geared towards sports injuries and rehabilitation, athletic therapy treatments can also benefit the general population. In addition to exercise prescription and manual techniques, an athletic therapist may also use one or more of the following therapeutic modalities to help individuals recover from an injury:

• Shockwave Therapy
• Interferential current
• Ultrasound
• Muscle stimulation
• LASER

Conditions & Injuries Treated by Athletic Therapy

Athletic therapists are experts at rehabilitating a variety of non-surgical and post-surgical conditions/injuries, including the following:

• Knee injuries 
• Meniscal injuries 
• Plantar fasciitis
• Osgood-Schlatter Disease
• Sever’s Syndrome
• Tennis & Golfer’s Elbow
• Shoulder impingement syndrome
• Sacroiliac and low back disorders
• Fractures
• Ligament Sprains
• Muscle Strains
• Tendinitis

Where do Athletic Therapists Work?

Athletic Therapists (ATs) can be found working in the clinic and may also be found travelling with sports teams. Notably, ATs are highly skilled at emergency care, first aid, bracing and taping, and are adept first responders. They are skilled at providing emergency/acute field treatment, but also have the skills and knowledge to assist with any part of the rehabilitation process. As a result, you may find them supporting sports teams at games and practices by helping with programming for the athletes, providing stretches, or helping them recover from their aches and pains.

On the other hand, an athletic therapist who works in the clinic will focus more on the sub-acute (just after injury) and rehabilitation. It is important to note that you do not have to be an athlete to make use of an athletic therapist. In the clinic, you may decide to see an athletic therapist if you have just suffered a sports or overuse injury, if you are looking to check your running or lifting form, have reached a plateau and need help overcoming it, are bout to train for a marathon and looking for injury prevention, and more! Either way, athletic therapists practice from a Sports Medicine perspective and are experts at treating sports injuries and helping their patients achieve their full potential.

Is Athletic Therapy the Right Choice for Me?

Yes! As we have mentioned, athletic therapy is not just for athletes. Ultimately, the goal of an athletic therapist is to help you meet some sort of physical goal, whether that looks like shooting for the Olympics, trying a sport for the first time, being able to play with your kids/grandkids, or going for a walk around the block safely. Depending on your goals and individual needs, your athletic therapist will create a personalized plan with you.

There is no age limit for athletic therapy, all ages are welcome! Non-sports related injuries are commonly seen by athletic therapists as well, including falls, workplace and motor vehicle accidents, pre and post-surgical and more. Remember, the ultimate goal of athletic therapy is to get you back to your normal physical activities, even if that isn’t a sport!

If you are curious about Athletic Therapy, then please consult one of our team to see if it is the right treatment for you. Please reach out to us at our central booking line (289) 724-0448 or by the form below.

Athletic therapists are also highly skilled at emergency care, first aid, bracing and taping.

While the treatments may vary, the objective doesn’t. By considering the specific demands of a sport, an Athletic Therapist’s goal is to help clients improve their physical performance and return to their usual activities.

If you are curious about Athletic Therapy, then please consult one of our team to see if it is the right treatment for you. Athletic therapy is only available at PhysioNow’s Oakville North location at this time.