What is Athletic Therapy?

Athletic Therapy assesses and treats all manner of musculoskeletal issues. Which means if you’ve injured a muscle, bone or joint or are active and want to avoid injuring your muscles, bones or joints, then seeing a certified Athletic Therapist may be just the thing for you.

Employing a sport medicine model, Athletic Therapy includes assessment, treatment, rehabilitation and education. In fact, Athletic Therapy views patient education as a crucial cornerstone to a healthy and rapid recovery. Therapy can include exercises, learning how to prevent re-injury and even learning about lifestyle factors that can help you get back to doing what you love faster.

After assessing what is wrong, an Athletic Therapist will turn to a wide variety of rehabilitative techniques which might include soft tissue mobilization, physical reconditioning and supportive strapping to speed the healing.

And while the picture we might immediately conjure for Athletic Therapy is the therapist running out onto the field when an athlete has been hurt during a game, in reality, they treat a wide range of patients. From kids with concussions to seniors recovering from hip replacement surgery, Athletic Therapists always work to help their patients get back doing what gives them joy whether playing sports or being able to roll around on the carpet with the grandkids.

Education and Certification

The Canadian Athletic Therapists Association (CATA) oversees the certification process of Certified Athletic Therapists across the country. In addition to completing a Bachelor’s degree, Athletic Therapists must complete the Athletic Therapy program at one of eight CATA-accredited institutions in Canada, including on-field and in-clinic practical training. Certification Candidates must hold a valid First Responder certificate and, after graduating, must successfully pass the National Certification Examination.

And it doesn’t stop with certification. An Athletic Therapist must annually demonstrate they remain up-to-date with current trends and new research in the areas of rehabilitation, orthopedic assessment and emergency care in order to continue to be certified by CATA. They are required to achieve 21 continuing education credits every three years and maintain a valid CPR-HCP.

What is CATA?

The Canadian Athletic Therapists Association (CATA) is the professional governing body of Certified Athletic Therapists in Canada. Since 1965, CATA has overseen the accreditation of Athletic Therapists and the academic programs that educate them.

CATA is dedicated to the advancement and growth of Athletic Therapy through advocacy, education, and research. 

At the forefront of Canada’s sports medicine community, the Canadian Athletic Therapists Association (CATA) is the national governing body for Certified Athletic Therapists practicing in Canada. Established in 1965 by a small group of athletic trainers working with professional hockey and football teams, CATA is now a self-regulating organization representing over 2450 members.

Working closely with CATA are seven regional Athletic Therapist association chapters that provide support to local members: 

• Athletic Therapists Association of British Columbia (ATABC)
• Alberta Athletic Therapists Association (AATA)
• Manitoba Athletic Therapists Association (MATA)
• Saskatchewan Athletic Therapists Association (SATA)
• Ontario Athletic Therapists Association (OATA)
• La Corporation des Thérapeutes du sport du Québec (CTSQ)
• Atlantic Provinces Athletic Therapists Association (APATA)

Is Athletic Therapy insured?

Wondering if your insurance provider covers Athletic Therapy treatments? The providers below cover Athletic Therapy. Please note this list is not comprehensive; therefore, we recommend calling your insurance to confirm coverage before receiving treatment.