Who is an athletic therapist?
An Athletic Therapist is a university trained, primary healthcare professional who has extensive training in the field of musculoskeletal and sports injuries. Similar to physiotherapists, they work individually with their clients to help heal injuries and get them back to their full potential, whether that be returning to sport, getting back to work, or relieving pain or disability.
Athletic Therapists use a number of treatment techniques, such as manual manipulation, massage, electrotherapy modalities, and exercise training to rehab their patients back to full health and strength. A session with an Athletic Therapist will include an assessment, followed by hands-on treatment and rehabilitation in our gym space (when appropriate). Athletic Therapy is regulated by the Canadian Athletic Therapy Association (CATA), and members must be in good standing with them to practice.
MEET OUR ATHLETIC THERAPIST
WHO DO ATHLETIC THERAPISTS TREAT?
As you might expect from their name, Athletic Therapists work with sports teams and athletes, both at pitch-side and in the clinic, to manage and treat musculoskeletal injuries. They are experts at assessing and treating sports injuries, but also have the expert knowledge to treat non-athletes with their injuries, such as low back pain, shoulder and neck pain, and knee problems.
The following is a list of common conditions Athletic Therapists treat:
- Sports injuries
- Degeneration of joints
- Osteoarthritis
- Rotator cuff tears or irritations
- Plantar fasciitis
- Tennis & Golfer’s elbow
- Patellofemoral knee pain
- Ankle sprains
- Trochanteric bursitis
- Whiplash after a car accident
- Headaches and migraines
- Shoulder dislocations
- Postural problems
- Slipped or bulging discs
- Sciatica
- Tendonitis
- Repetitive strain injuries
- Carpal tunnel syndrome
- Fibromyalgia
- Achilles tendonitis
- Iliotibial band syndrome
- Shin splints
- Frozen Shoulder
- Temporomandibular (TMJ)/ jaw pain and conditions
- Post surgical patients, or those who have broken bones
HOW CAN I SEE AN ATHLETIC THERAPIST?
As Athletic Therapists are primary healthcare professionals, no doctor’s referral is needed to seek our services. To book an appointment with one of our Athletic Therapists, you can:
Book an appointment with our online booking system.
Give us a call and speak with our front desk.
Come in and say hi at our Ellis Street location!
WILL MY INSURANCE PLAN COVER MY ATHLETIC THERAPY VISIT?
Currently, a number of insurance companies do cover athletic therapy visits. Some companies, however, require that you call them and have athletic therapy added to your coverage, as it is not always included on the base plan. Unfortunately, the insurance companies will not let our staff in the clinic do this for you, and require you to call instead.
The Canadian Athletic Therapists Association (CATA) is currently striving for more insurance companies in BC to cover athletic therapy. At this time, the following plans do cover Athletic Therapy:
- Great West Life
- Manulife
- Desjardins
- Greenshield
- Empire
- All Sport
- Canadian Hockey Association
- Cooperators
