Athletic Therapy
We help your pursuit to athleticism and physical activity.
Athletic Therapy is not just for athletes - it’s for anyone who has experienced musculoskeletal (joint, muscular, or bone) injuries or chronic pain. If someone wants to prevent, treat, and rehabilitate their bodies as it relates to athletic and physical activities, regardless of the level of competition, they can do that as well! Certified Athletic Therapists can also help with postural evaluations, conditioning programs, supportive taping for joints and muscles, fitting of equipment, and over-the-counter braces. Athletic Therapists use hands-on manual therapy as well as modalities like ultrasound, and laser during a treatment session. In addition, they will give you comprehensive, tailor-made home exercises that relate directly to your injury and recovery status, so you can accelerate the healing process. In the setting of our clinic, their objectives are very similar to a Physiotherapist.
What’s the difference between Physiotherapy and Athletic therapy?
Certified Athletic Therapists are trained in orthopedic and musculoskeletal (joints, muscles, and bone) centered conditions. They are trained in emergency on-field care for athletes while they compete in their sporting events. Athletic Therapists get extensive training in rehabilitative exercise and conditioning programming. Physiotherapists complete additional schooling beyond orthopedic conditions in areas like cardio-respiratory rehab, pediatrics, geriatrics, stroke rehab, and neurological disorders. Once a diagnosis is made, however, both Athletic Therapists and Physiotherapists use similar techniques and work to achieve similar outcomes.
Treatment programs between each designation look very similar in an orthopedic clinic, such as ours. A major difference can be whether your extended healthcare company provides coverage for both or only some of these specific designations. Please check with your provider to see what your benefits will cover.
What to expect in your first treatment
Assessment
ATs can help determine what injury/condition you are suffering from, whilst also determining the predisposing factors and impact(s) that it may have on your life during treatment.
Intervention & Treatment
AT will incorporate different rehabilitative treatments designed to improve function and eliminate/reduce pain:
Exercise prescription
Manual therapy
Craniosacral therapy
Visceral manipulation
Fascial release
Acupuncture
Neurokinetic therapy
Taping/Bracing
ATs will help create a safe and efficient return-to-sport/activity plan that ensures a full recovery.
Education & Maintenance
ATs will help you develop an independent management plan to prevent injury re-occurrence
ATs will educate patients on proper strategies (i.e., form, exercises, equipment) to ensure the injury does not return or worsen.
The Athletic Therapy Team
Sherry Knight, Athletic Therapist & RMT