WHAT IS A SPORTS INJURY THERAPIST?
A Sport’s Injury Therapist (SIT) is a health care specialist within the field of Massage Therapy, whose additional education is tailored to working with injured athletes to enhance their recovery and return to sport.
A Sport Injury Therapist will utilize manual therapy techniques, electrical modalities, advanced rehabilitative techniques and supportive bracing and taping to prevent, manage and rehabilitate injuries related to exercise, recreational and competitive sporting activities.
COMMON CONDITIONS TREATED
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WHERE DO YOU SEE SITs?
Sports Injury Therapists have a broad range of skills that allow them to work in many different areas within the health care field. Below are some of the main areas where you may see them:
SPORTS TEAMS- travelling and working with various level sports teams (i.e. local clubs, College Varsity, Professional associations etc.). SPORTING EVENTS- working different events (i.e. marathons, Gymnastic or other sporting competitions etc.) in the community as the on-site medical responder, as well as performing other therapy duties in prevention, management and treatment of any injuries. CLINICS- Various multi-disciplinary clinics, or massage therapy clinics. Here combines the knowledge of Sports Injury Therapy alongside Massage Therapy to treat client’s individual needs. |
SPECIALIZED SKILLS & TREATMENT TYPES
Emergency Medical Responder-- Advanced first aid technical training for sustaining life and preventing further injuries.
General & Advanced Massage Techniques-- EX: Frictions, Myofascial Release, Trigger point Therapy, Joint Mobilizations etc. Manual manipulation of tissue in order to improve circulation, tissue health and decrease physical dysfunction and pain.
Hydrotherapy-- The use of different forms of water at various temperatures (cold, warm etc.) to achieve pain relief and improve function.
Sports Massage-- Movement of specific tissues and body segments relevant to a given sport in different ways depending on staging i.e. Pre/Post-performance, during training or for rehabilitation.
Individualized Rehabilitation Programs-- Strengthening and stretching programs specifically designed to coordinate with each client’s individual goals and treatment plan. To work along with massage and sports injury therapy, to improve and maintain physical function and optimize health.
Taping and Bracing specialist-- Corrective taping of different areas of the body to decrease pain and enhance performance, as well as preventative taping to reduce risk of injury/re-injury.
Electrical Modalities--EX: Interferential Current, TENS. Painless electrical stimulation in order to modulate body’s response to pain, for short-term pain relief of Acute or Chronic Conditions. Also can be used post-surgery, to improve brain-muscle connection in cases of muscle atrophy.
Muscle Energy-- Involves sustained contractions within muscles in precisely controlled body positions to decrease pain, muscle stiffness and increase range of motion.
Strain-Counterstrain-- Utilizes therapist palpation of specific areas and passive positional procedures of body segments to reset muscle tension and restore pain-free movement.
Proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation-- Combination of passive stretching and contraction of certain muscles to improve function and flexibility.
General & Advanced Massage Techniques-- EX: Frictions, Myofascial Release, Trigger point Therapy, Joint Mobilizations etc. Manual manipulation of tissue in order to improve circulation, tissue health and decrease physical dysfunction and pain.
Hydrotherapy-- The use of different forms of water at various temperatures (cold, warm etc.) to achieve pain relief and improve function.
Sports Massage-- Movement of specific tissues and body segments relevant to a given sport in different ways depending on staging i.e. Pre/Post-performance, during training or for rehabilitation.
Individualized Rehabilitation Programs-- Strengthening and stretching programs specifically designed to coordinate with each client’s individual goals and treatment plan. To work along with massage and sports injury therapy, to improve and maintain physical function and optimize health.
Taping and Bracing specialist-- Corrective taping of different areas of the body to decrease pain and enhance performance, as well as preventative taping to reduce risk of injury/re-injury.
Electrical Modalities--EX: Interferential Current, TENS. Painless electrical stimulation in order to modulate body’s response to pain, for short-term pain relief of Acute or Chronic Conditions. Also can be used post-surgery, to improve brain-muscle connection in cases of muscle atrophy.
Muscle Energy-- Involves sustained contractions within muscles in precisely controlled body positions to decrease pain, muscle stiffness and increase range of motion.
Strain-Counterstrain-- Utilizes therapist palpation of specific areas and passive positional procedures of body segments to reset muscle tension and restore pain-free movement.
Proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation-- Combination of passive stretching and contraction of certain muscles to improve function and flexibility.
FIELD EXPERIENCE
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MOHAWK COLLEGE MEN'S VARSITY VOLLEYBALL TEAM-- OCAA BRONZE MEDALISTS 2010-2011
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