Sports Therapy
According to the Society of Sports Therapists, sports therapy is an aspect of healthcare that is specifically concerned with the prevention of injuries and the rehabilitation of the athlete/patient back to optimum levels of functional, occupational and sports specific fitness, regardless of age and ability. It utilizes the principles of sport and exercises sciences, incorporating physiological and pathological processes to prepare the athlete for training, competition, and where applicable, work.
There are five key areas of competency related to injury and illness that sports therapists must possess including prevention; recognition and evaluation; management, treatment, and referral; rehabilitation; and, educational and professional practice issues. Therapists are required to meet clearly defined competency levels which cover the breadth of these areas and provide the knowledge, skills, and ability to work at all levels of the sport and exercise continuum.
While sports therapists are not physiotherapists, they will apply “physiotherapy” skills because physiotherapy is defined as the treatment of disease, injury, or deformity by physical methods including massage, heat treatment, electricity, and exercise rather than drugs or surgery. Consequently, sports therapists will apply many skills and modalities that are included within this list but in a sport and exercise perspective rather than a traditional healthcare context. Sports therapists carry out assessments to evaluate their patients’ range of movement, the extent of their injuries, and to figure out whether or not they can return to training.
As a career, sports therapists are employed directly by athletes, sports teams, and specialist clinics like South Sherbrook Therapy. Sports therapists use their expert knowledge of sporting injuries to treat patients and offer advice on injury prevention measures. The nature of sports therapy means that you will regularly be required to work weekends and in the evenings, especially if you work directly with a sports team. You may also be required to travel, both domestically and internationally, on a regular basis. Working in sports therapy is a constant learning process, and you will need to keep on top of research developments and teach yourself new skills and treatment methods all the time.
At South Sherbrook Therapy, both professional and amateur athletes can benefit from athletic therapy procedures that fit your needs. Members of our sports therapy team are available to discuss your injury with you, assess the injury, and design a course of treatment so you can return to the competition as soon as possible. Regardless of the nature of the injury, if you require sports therapy in Winnipeg, call South Sherbrook Therapy at 204-774-9903 today to schedule your appointment. We look forward to supporting you throughout your recovery process.