Certified Athletic Therapists are dedicated to ensuring that everyone, regardless of their lifestyle, can achieve and maintain their best possible health. Athletic therapy is suitable for everyone with a body, as Certified ATs are capable of treating a wide range of injuries and conditions, helping individuals from all walks of life. From anyone who’s been sidelined with an injury playing soccer to recovering from surgery, athletic therapy plays an important role in health, recovery and care.
Certified ATs are expert healthcare professionals, equipped with the skills to treat injuries to muscles, bones, and joints. Conditions like tennis elbow, arthritis, or plantar fasciitis can cause stress to the body that impacts normal movement. Repetitive stress injuries, like text neck, shin splints or even strains that may come from physical jobs, can also impede living your life the way you want. Certified ATs can help develop an individualized treatment plan or introduce management strategies to help individuals return to improved function.
Certified ATs are also ready to treat in the heat of the moment and provide emergency care. This often takes place when injury strikes during a game or some other form of strenuous activity. Jumping into action, a Certified AT can assess and supply first aid treatment for acute sports injuries on the field.
With “the knowledge and skills to assess head injuries as well as design safe return to play programs after a concussion,” shares John Boulay, a Certified AT, Registered Osteopath and Emergency Care Instructor, “Certified ATs can manage bleeding emergencies, provide fracture management and advanced pre-hospital injury care.” With a unique understanding of the critical moment of injury, ability to assess and develop a comprehensive rehabilitation plan, and even consider reconditioning to avoid further injury, Certified ATs are experts in care.
This year’s theme, “Empowering Movement, Ensuring Wellness”, addresses every Certified AT’s goal of getting clients back to full functionality. Whether that’s being ready to take the field, hit the ice, or simply go about their days, athletic therapy is here to help people live life the way they want. By focusing on overall wellness, Certified ATs make it possible for individuals to keep moving forward, making those everyday walks—and more—possible.
“One of a Certified Athletic Therapist’s main goals is to help the individual return to their normal 100% of usual activities,” says Kirsten Kidd, Certified AT and CATA President. “Whether that means playing competitive sports, playing with your kids or walking to the mailbox and back with confidence, we are there for you.”
Athletic Therapy Month is an opportunity for CATA, Certified ATs and Canadians to celebrate athletic therapy and how it is helping people return from injury and stay active. That’s why this month, we are raising more awareness about when to turn to a Certified AT to restore movement and become fully functional again.
To find an athletic therapist to help you empower your own wellness, visit the CATA website. Stay up to date with CATA by following us on Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn!
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