Athletic Therapy

What is Athletic Therapy?

A certified Athletic Therapist utilizes contemporary rehabilitative techniques to treat a wide variety of injuries and individuals, such as manual therapy techniques, therapeutic modalities, postural/biomechanical correction, physical reconditioning, and supportive taping and bracing to promote optimal healing and prepares the individual for safe reintegration into an active lifestyle. The treatment varies but the objective doesn't: an Athletic Therapist's goal is to help clients return to their usual activities, whether that means playing competitive sports or walking to the mailbox and back.

The Shift Bodywork and Performance Care AT experience.

Our East Toronto ATs in Leslieville specialize in game-changing, transformative techniques to help you efficiently rehabilitate complex injuries and movement dysfunction. Techniques include:

  • Neurokinetic Therapy
  • Postural Restoration
  • Cranio-sacral therapy
  • Visceral manipulation
  • Performance Taping
  • Soft Tissue Mobilization

Our ATs bring extensive experience in elite sport including Olympic Volleyball, Gymnastics Canada, Swim Nationals, Track and Field ParaPan AM, and the National Ballet to their practices to make them essential members of our therapeutic team. Our team collaborates on client care through mentorship to enhance communication to support our diverse client base. In addition, we emphasize injury prevention and performance-focused care to assess and treat dysfunction before it becomes an issue.

Benefits of AT?

Athletic Therapists provide care to individuals at all points of their lives, whether they're an elite athlete, a weekend warrior, or a grandparent trying to keep up with their grandkids. Athletic Therapists are orthopedic specialists (muscles, joints, bones, and ligaments) with an in-depth knowledge of human anatomy, biomechanics, therapeutic exercise, and emergency care. Athletic therapists adhere to the Sports Medicine Model of care.

Who is Athletic Therapy for?

  • Professional and Competitive Athletes
  • Weekend Warriors
  • Muscle pain
  • Back pain
  • Strains & sprains
  • Whiplash
  • Pre- & post-surgical rehabilitation (fractures, ligament/meniscus repair, joint replacement)
  • Rotator cuff/shoulder injury
  • Headaches/migraines
  • Sciatica
  • Tennis elbow/golfer's elbow
  • Tendonitis
  • Bursitis
  • Postural dysfunction
  • TMJ dysfunction (jaw pain)
  • Carpal tunnel syndrome

What should I expect during my first Athletic Therapy appointment?

On your first visit, you will receive a 1-hour individualized assessment and treatment plan from your therapist. The findings during your initial assessment will inform your treatment plan. Your assessment includes a thorough health history and physical examination.

Follow-up appointments are typically 30-45 minutes, depending on your treatment plan.

Athletic Therapy FAQ's

What should I wear to my appointment? During your visit, we ask you to bring a pair of shorts and a t-shirt to ensure comfort during the assessment.

Do you direct bill? Yes! During your first appointment please provide us with your extended health benefit information and we will be happy to submit to your insurance provider on your behalf.

The following insurance companies provide coverage for Athletic Therapy but are dependent on individual plans:

  • Great West Life
  • Standard Life
  • Blue Cross
  • Desjardin
  • Claim Secure
  • Sun Life
  • Reliable Life Insurance Co.
  • Manulife
  • Empire Life
  • Greenshield
  • OITP
  • Ontario Provincial Police Association

The following organizations provide Athletic Therapy coverage for their athletes:

  • Canadian Athlete Insurance Program
  • Ontario Soccer Association
  • Hockey Canada
  • Ontario Hockey Association
  • Ontario Basketball Association
  • Ontario Football Alliance
  • Rugby Ontario
  • Rugby Canada

Will my therapist bench me from my favorite activities?

Not necessarily. We want to keep people doing the things that move them. Whether it be their professional activity, strumming a guitar, or playing their sport. We use innovative techniques to identify and re-program dysfunctional biomechanics to get our clients back to their chosen activity as soon as possible. We understand how much exercise improves the quality of life and make modifications with that in mind.

Will my therapist use extensive modalities as part of the treatment plan?

No. We are a hands-on clinic, meaning we don't rely on passive modalities to deliver care. The only modality we have on-site is electroacupuncture