What is an Athletic Therapist and Why do i need athletic therapy coverage for my team/event?

Certified Athletic Therapists are best known for their quick-thinking on-field emergency care of professional and elite athletes. The first to respond when someone gets hurt, they are experts at injury assessment and rehabilitation. It’s that same mix of on-site care and active rehabilitation skills that makes Athletic Therapists so effective in treating the musculoskeletal (muscles, bones, and joints) injuries of all Canadians, whether on the field or in the clinic. Furthermore, AT’s are experts in athletic taping and bracing to ensure your athletes return to competition at their best.

Athletic therapists adhere to the Sports Medicine Model of care. They treat a wide range of patients, from kids with concussions to seniors recovering from hip replacement surgery, using various manual therapies, modalities, exercise prescription and even bracing and taping. 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.

What’s the difference between Athletic Therapy and Physiotherapy?

Athletic Therapists are highly trained healthcare professionals who specialize in the prevention, assessment, and rehabilitation of musculoskeletal injuries. Their expertise includes concussion care, injury prevention strategies, and on-field emergency management—making them an essential part of an athlete’s support team.

While physiotherapists also treat musculoskeletal conditions, their scope often extends to cardiac, respiratory, and neurological rehabilitation. Most physiotherapists work primarily in clinical environments, whereas Athletic Therapists are uniquely trained to operate in both clinical and field settings.

At Next Play Sports Therapy, our role often begins the moment an injury occurs—on the field, rink, or court—and continues through the full recovery process, all the way to return-to-play. This continuity of care allows us to provide athletes with personalized, sport-specific treatment every step of the way.

What kind of injuries do you treat?

As musculoskeletal injury specialists, Athletic Therapists are trained to treat a wide range of conditions, including muscle strains, ligament sprains, contusions, and lacerations. In addition to soft tissue injuries, we are extensively educated in the recognition, management, and early intervention of concussions, helping athletes safely navigate the recovery process.

Athletic Therapists also serve as sport emergency first responders, equipped with advanced training in Basic Life Support (BLS) and emergency care techniques. This includes:

• CPR and assisted breathing

• Fracture management and spinal injury stabilization

• Management of exercise-induced asthma

• Response to diabetic and other acute medical emergencies

Do you Treat Athletic Therapy clients in a Clinic?

Liam Anderson, Certified Athletic Therapist and founder of Next Play Sports Therapy, proudly serves as the Head Athletic Therapist at RINK Hockey Academy in Kelowna, where he provides specialized injury rehabilitation services to athletes across the Okanagan Valley.

The clinic offers a wide range of treatment modalities, including:

• Therapeutic Ultrasound

• Interferential Current Therapy (IFC)

• TENS (Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation)

• Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation (NMES)

• Cupping Therapy

• Fascial Stretch Therapy

• Soft Tissue and Sports Massage

Rehabilitation programs are supported by access to a fully equipped training facility, allowing for a seamless transition from treatment to functional, sport-specific recovery.

To book an appointment with Liam, please contact him directly at landerson@therink.ca.

What is your rate for coverage?

At Next Play Sports Therapy, we offer a comprehensive range of services tailored to meet the unique needs of individual athletes, teams, and sporting events. Whether you're seeking ongoing therapy, event coverage, or team support, our approach is flexible and athlete-focused.

We work closely with you to develop the right plan—ensuring you receive the care, coverage, and support that best aligns with your goals.

To explore service options or discuss a customized plan, please reach out to us at nextplaysportstherapy@outlook.com. We look forward to supporting your next play.