A Certified Athletic Therapist is a highly trained health care practitioner whose formal education is entirely in the area of assessment and rehabilitation of orthopedic injuries and conditions that affect the muscles, bones and joints of the body. Athletic Therapists use various manual therapies, therapeutic modalities, exercise prescription and bracing/taping to create individualized, activity-specific rehabilitation programs. Athletic therapy is based on the sports medicine model of rehabilitation, emphasizing an active approach to provide an optimal healing environment and facilitate accelerated recovery.
Athletic Therapists treat a wide range of patients, from children with concussions, weekend warriors and elite athletes, to seniors recovering from hip replacement surgery. The treatment varies but the objective doesn’t: an Athletic Therapists’ goal is to help clients return to their usual activities, whether that means playing competitive sports or walking to the mailbox and back.
Scope of Practice
The Scope of Practice of a Certified Athletic Therapist includes the prevention, immediate care, assessment and rehabilitation of musculoskeletal injuries.
Prevention includes musculoskeletal and postural evaluation, equipment selection, fitting and repair, warm-up, conditioning programs, prophylactic or supportive taping, and adapting to the activity environment and facilities.
The provision of on-field immediate care of athletic injuries by a Certified Athletic Therapist includes: injury assessment, basic emergency life support, recognition and management of acute traumatic neurological dysfunction, provision of first aid, preparation for entrance into appropriate health care delivery systems, or, where appropriate, utilization of techniques facilitating a safe return to participation.
In the clinic, a Certified Athletic Therapist assesses injuries and conditions, utilizes contemporary rehabilitative techniques, therapeutic modalities, soft tissue mobilization, physical reconditioning, and supportive taping procedures to promote an environment conducive to optimal healing and prepare individual for safe reintegration into an active lifestyle.
What if I’m not an athlete?
Don’t let the title fool you; you don’t have to be an athlete to see an Athletic Therapist. ANYONE can benefit from the skills of an Athletic Therapist. The term “athletic” reflects the active approach to treatment that is used to help individuals return to their regular activities of daily living in a safe and timely manner. While Athletic Therapists are best known for their on-field work with athletes and sports teams, and the prevention and care of musculoskeletal injuries as they relate to physical activity and athletics, they can also assist any individual suffering from the aches and pains of everyday life. Activities of daily living often require athletic-type movements and Athletic Therapists can develop specific rehabilitation programs to mimic these movement patterns to get you back to your regular activities faster.
Athletic Therapists work with:
- Elite, Amateur, and Recreational Athletes
- Children, Adults, Seniors
- Acute/Chronic Injuries
- Occupational Injuries
- Post Surgical Rehabilitation needs
- Any individual whose activities of daily living or athletic performance are affected by general aches and pains or injury
If you’ve suffered an athletic injury, or have pain or injury that is affecting your everyday life, ask us how our Athletic Therapist can help get you back to a pain-free lifestyle.
For more information about Athletic Therapy visit http://athletictherapy.org/en/about-athletic-therapy/what-is-athletic-therapy/
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