I have pain, who should I see?

When one falls ill it is fairly straight forward who to go and see; if it is urgent, go to the emergency room, but if not then make an appointment with your GP. But what happens when you get injured? Who do you go to? You need to see a health professional, but which one should you see?

We hope that this article will help you recognize what each of the following professions specializes in, but it is important to remember that even though all Certified Athletic Therapists have the same training, all Physiotherapist have the same training and all Chiropractor’s have the same training, that doesn’t mean that they all treat the exact same way. While we all have degree level education, it is our experiences outside of the classroom that shapes the type of therapist we each become.

Certified Athletic Therapists - CAT(C)

Certified Athletic Therapists specialize in the assessment, rehabilitation and reconditioning of musculoskeletal injuries. They use a combination of hands on treatment, electrical and thermal modalities as well as exercise in their treatment plans. Athletic Therapists will treat anyone suffering from a pain or injury that is affecting their day to day activities; Athletic Therapist treat everyone, not just athletes.

Athletic Therapists can also help individuals who are looking to prevent injuries. This includes active individuals who are training for an event or the aging individual who wants to maintain their independence and quality of life. Through a biomechanical analysis, weaknesses and compensations will be identified and an appropriate plan will be created.

Finally, Athletic Therapists are qualified to provide field/court-side coverage. They are well versed in dealing with everything from catastrophic injuries such as spinal cord injuries to minor sprains and strains. Athletic Therapists can provide the full circle of care immediately from the time of injury to the return to activity/sport.

Candidates must graduate from an accredited degree program, hold a valid First Responder certificate and then pass the national certification exam to become a Certified Athletic Therapist.

Chiropractic - DC

Chiropractors specialize in the movement and manipulation of the spine. They use different assessment tools to determine restrictions and then manipulate the spine with their hands or special tools. The goal of the treatment is to restore proper movement to the spine therefore allowing proper blood flow and nerve supply to all peripheral limbs which restores proper function.

Conditions that are treated by Chiropractors include: low back pain, neck pain, sciatica, tension headaches and vertigo.

Those wishing to become a Chiropractor must complete at least 3 years of undergraduate education and then attend an accredited institution. At the end of their schooling they must pass the national certification exam.

Read more here: https://www.cmto.com/

Osteopathy - DO

Osteopaths look at the entire body and how it functions as one. Biological, psychological and social factors for a client are all taken into consideration when being treated by an Osteopath. They believe that irregularities or restrictions in one area can cause a problem in another aspect of the body. They are specialists in palpation (the heightened sense of touch) and manipulation and focus on increasing movement and decreasing restriction.

Osteopaths focus on the segmental movement of the spine, as they believe that if there is a dysfunction in the spine it affects the surrounding blood flow and neural output to the peripheral nerves of that area.

Osteopaths have a comprehensive education. First they must complete a bachelors degree or masters program, then they can apply to Osteopathic schools. Once graduated from the program they continue for another 2-5 years in full-time residency training in the specialty of their choosing. There are 85 specialties and sub-specialties they can choose from. After this time they will complete their specialty certification exams and upon passing they are fully licensed to practice in Canada. In total, Canadian Osteopaths complete 11-13 years of education after high school.

Read more here: https://www.osteopathic.ca/

Physiotherapy - PT

Physiotherapy is a profession that focuses on treating individuals with injuries, illness and disabilities. It is a Physiotherapists goal to help rehab their client to be sufficient in performing activities of daily living and having the greatest quality of life. They are educated in helping clients who suffer from:

neurological conditions: stroke or Parkinson’s
cardiovascular conditions: chronic heart disease or rehabbing from a heart attack
respiratory conditions: asthma or cystic fibrosis
neuromuscular conditions: back pain or whiplash

In different parts of the world Physiotherapy is a Degree program while in others it is a Master’s level program. During the program candidates will receive both theory based education as well as practical application. Regardless of the program, Physiotherapy is a government-regulated profession meaning that to call ones self a Physiotherapist you must have passed the national exam for where you are living.

There are many Physiotherapists who go on to specialize in different area’s upon the completion of their initial program. Some possibilities are Sport Physiotherapy, Gynecological Physiotherapy, Pediatrics or Geriatrics Physiotherapy or Pain Physiotherapy.

Read more about Physiotherapy: https://physiotherapy.ca/

July 31st, 2019