Athletic Therapy

Athletic Therapy is the rehabilitation of all musculoskeletal injuries for ANY individual. You don’t have to be an athlete to see an Athletic Therapist!

Athletic Therapists follow a sport medicine model of care. They assess the injury to determine the cause, provide treatment and a rehabilitation plan to ensure the client achieves their goals and ensures the client is educated on how they can help reduce the risk of re-injury.

Certified Athletic Therapists are trained in both a clinical aspect and a field aspect.

In the clinic Certified Athletic Therapists are educated to assess and actively rehabilitate musculoskeletal injuries, this includes anything to do with muscles, bones and joints. When a client enters the clinic, the Therapist will delve into the clients’ history, understanding the demands they put on their body and any health concerns they may have. During the assessment, functional movements are often performed to understand where an individual’s weakness is and what may be contributing to the injury. Understanding the cause of the injury and treating the cause is what Certified Athletic Therapists pride themselves on. After a thorough assessment, appropriate treatment will be given which includes, but is not limited to: massage, cryotherapy, thermotherapy, electrical modalities and most importantly exercise.

It is the goal of a Certified Athletic Therapist to return their client to their usual activities, whether that is playing sports, an active job or walking to get the mail.

In the field, Certified Athletic Therapists are qualified to provide pitch-side coverage. They are well versed in dealing with everything from catastrophic injuries such as spinal cord injuries to minor sprains and strains. They are educated in making the decision if an athlete is able to return to play safely after injury. For athletes that are unable to return, a Certified Athletic Therapist can see them in the clinic and provide a rehabilitation plan in order to return the athlete safely to play. 

It is their job to recognize any weaknesses in the athlete and provide exercises from a preventative side as well. Certified Athletic Therapists are trained in dealing with the recognition and management of concussions. Depending on the team, a Certified Athletic Therapist will attend practices, games and travel with the team or simply provider first aid coverage at a tournament.

Education and Certification

To become a Certified Athletic Therapist, one must complete the following:

• Attend and graduate from an Athletic Therapy Bachelor’s degree program; there are 8 accredited institutions across Canada
• Hold a valid First Responder certificate
• Pass the National Certification Exam

Once certified, an Athletic Therapist can be recognized with the designatory CAT(C). Every CAT(C) must maintain their status by completing 21 continuing education credits every three years and holding a valid CPR-HCP.

Is Athletic Therapy Covered?

The following insurance companies provide Athletic Therapy coverage, but we recommend calling your provider to confirm your coverage.

• Great West Life
• Standard Life
• Blue Cross
• Hockey Canada
• Desjardin
• Claim Secure
• Sun Life
• Reliable Life Insurance Co.
• Manulife
• Empire Life
• Greenshield