Athletic Therapy in Victoria

Athletic Therapy is a health care profession that specializes in prevention, emergency care, assessment and rehabilitation of musculoskeletal injuries (muscles, joints, ligaments, bones). Following a Sport Medicine Model of care, an Athletic Therapist utilizes contemporary rehabilitation methods including manual therapies, therapeutic modalities, corrective exercise, physical reconditioning, taping and bracing in order to accelerate an individual’s return to pre-injury status. Many people may recognize an Athletic Therapist as the person on the sidelines with professional sports teams that will respond to emergency situations on the court, field or ice. Athletic Therapists however, work in a variety of settings including with professional, high school, university/collegiate and amateur sports, in sport medicine clinics, fitness centres, insurance companies, and as orthopaedic bracing specialists.

The scope of practice of a Certified Athletic Therapist is based on a foundation of intensive training in the human musculoskeletal system, exercise physiology, biomechanics and emergency care. Theoretical and practical education prepares an Athletic Therapist to specialize in injury prevention, assessment, and rehabilitation in both on field sport settings, and clinical care.

Who Is Athletic Therapy For?

Athletic Therapists can provide individualized, functional, sport-specific, result-oriented training. They are a great resource for active people of all ages and fitness levels. Athletic Therapy is for:

Anyone with an injury to bone, joint, ligament, tendon, muscle who wants to get better quickly with safe and effective methods
Post-surgical individuals wanting guidance through active rehabilitation. Clinical and exercise rehabilitation offered in one spot
Athletes who want to maintain health and improve performance
Any individual with a desire to increase strength and mobility, to move better and feel better

Athletic Therapists can also treat a wide variety of conditions such as:

Acute Injuries
Chronic Conditions
Muscle Strains
Ligament Sprains
Contusions
Repetitive Strain Injuries
Rotator Cuff Tears
Bursitis, Capsulitis, Fasciitis
Tendonitis, Tendonosis, Tendosynovitis
Thoracic Outlet Syndrome
Osteoarthritis
Low Back Pain

Sciatica and Piriformis Syndrome
Disc Herniation / Facet Fusions
Whiplash Associated Disorders
Workplace Injuries
Pre/Post-Surgical Rehabilitation
Post Fracture Rehabilitation
Biomechanical Analysis
Injury Prevention and Care
Prophylactic Taping/Bracing
Return to Play Protocols
Postural Assessments
Strength and Conditioning Programs

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What to Expect in an Athletic Therapy Treatment

An Athletic Therapy treatment will include a review of your health history and injuries (old and new), as well as a discussion about your treatment goals. Your Athletic Therapist will do some orthopedic and functional assessments to formulate a diagnosis. The treatment may include a combination of manual therapy, therapeutic modalities (including electrical, thermal and mechanical forms), rehabilitative and conditioning exercise prescription; and providing education and guidance on how to achieve lasting effects in recovery. Typically some manual therapies/hand on techniques will be used which may include:

Joint and Tissue Mobilizations,
Myofascial Release,
Muscle Energy Technique,
Cupping,
PNF stretching

Depending on your reason for seeking treatment and your goals, your Athletic Therapist may also include some therapeutic modalities such as TENS, IFC, NMES. See blow for more information on these treatment.

At Remedy we use a program called Physitrack for rehabilitative and conditioning exercise prescription, so you have some resources to work with at home. It includes easy to follow videos and descriptions, which your Athletic Therapist will customize for you. You can download the app for free or access your program online from any device. You can also print it off it you prefer.

WHAT IS TENS?

Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS) is used for pain relief with. Two electrodes connect to the device and transmit a low-voltage electrical current to the skin. The electrodes are often placed on the painful area or at the point of pressure, creating a circuit of electrical pulses that travel along the nerve pathway. It can be very relieving for acute pain as the sensation blocks or scrambles the pain message to the brain. It may also help the body to produce endorphins, it's own natural painkillers, which can block your perception of pain. Its an excellent tool to break the pain-tension cycle. With proper instruction from your Athletic Therapist, you can even use TENS at home. These devices can be purchased online for about $70. (You should always use a device like this with guidance from a healthcare professional. Although they are very safe, if misused they can cause harm).

TENS is often used to treat manage pain with conditions like osteoarthritis, fibromyalgia, lower back pain, neck pain, tendonitis, bursitis and more. It can be used for more acute pain as well, such as labour pain or cancer pain, and for chronic pain management.

WHAT IS IFC?

What is IFC? Interferential Current Therapy is used by many physical therapy clinics to relieve pain and accelerate the self-healing process. The high frequency signals of an IFC penetrate through the skin into deeper lying muscle tissues.
The Interferential Current device transmits electrical impulses through electrodes on the skin. The sensation is often described as a minor prickling on the skin and is not painful. It stimulates the underlying tissues and nerves which triggers healing properties. Studies have shown that use of IFC stimulates endorphin release, which is the body's natural pain killer. This can reduce reliance and need for medications and pain killers because it's so also extremely useful in reducing pain, inflammation, curing edema, and spasms.

Both TENS and IFC can:

Reduces or eliminates your pain safely.
Noticeable decrease in swelling and inflammation.
Restore range of motion, improve quality of movement and coordination.
Stimulate release of natural hormones, which promote faster healing.
Considered by many experts as a highly effective form of treatment for chronic pain.

WHAT IS NMES?

Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation or NMES uses a device that sends electrical impulses to nerves via electodes placed on the skin. This impulse causes muscles to contract. NMES can increase strength and range of motion, and offset the effects of disuse. It is often used by Athletic Therapist to “re-train” or “re-educate” a muscle, to improve function and to build strength after a surgery or period of disuse. With proper guidance form your CAT, this device can be used at home.

Studies:
NMES for Treatment of Muscle Impairment
NMES Applications

Is Athletic Therapy Covered by my Insurance?

The following providers cover Athletic Therapy, however, it is recommended that you contact your provider to confirm coverage before receiving treatment. Some of these insurers will allow us to direct bill, some will not.

ICBC (under Kinesiology)
All Sport Insurance Marketing
Canadian Hockey Association
Empire
Great West Life
Green Shield
Manulife
Pacific Blue Cross
Sunlife
The Co-Operators

Athletic Therapy Training and Certification

The certification process for an Athletic Therapist involves completion of a bachelor’s degree program at one of seven accredited post-secondary institutions in Canada. Candidates also must complete 1200 hours of on-field and clinical practical training and obtain a First Responder Certification. Once qualified, Candidates can attempt the National Certification Exam which includes a comprehensive written and practical exam. Upon successful completion of the exam, Candidates receive the title Certified Athletic Therapist, designated in Canada by the letters CAT(C).

Athletic Therapists are governed under the (CATA) and are also required to hold membership within their respective provincial association. All Athletic Therapists must demonstrate on-going training in rehabilitation, orthopaedic assessment and emergency care by acquiring approved continuing education credits through courses, conferences and practice development.

About Justine Aichelberger, CAT (C)

Justine’s lifelong passion for healthy living and fitness coupled with her fascination of human biomechanics lead her to a career in Athletic Therapy and she has been helping patients achieve their goals since 2015. She continues to augment her Athletic Therapy practice through educational coursework and training. Most recently, she completed her Masters of Physiotherapy Practice in Melbourne, Australia, and is awaiting her Canadian designation. She enjoys working with a variety of people and ages. Neck and low back pain, shoulder injuries, hip and knee osteoarthritis, ankle sprains/instability, patellofemoral pain and tendinopathies are among Justine’s favorite areas of practice, but she is skilled to work with all types of presentations.