Who do we serve?
- Athletic therapy services are offered to all Laurier varsity athletes free of charge as part of your student athlete participatory fee.
Our location
- The Athletic Therapy Clinic is located on the lower level inside the Athletic Complex (beside the pool)
- An additional satellite clinic is located within the University Stadium (81 Seagram Drive)
Hours of Operation
- Monday – Friday, hours of operation vary depending on seasons / events.
Services for Varsity Athletes
- Prevention of athletic injuries
- Pre-season orthopedic screening (physician medical required for first year athletes)
- Pre-season baseline neurocognitive concussion testing (contact sports)
- Assessment and rehabilitation of athletic injuries
- Pre-competition taping / wrapping techniques
- Custom and ready-to-wear brace fitting (additional costs apply)
- Facilitate medical referrals to Sports Medicine Physicians / Orthopedic Surgeons
- First aid and emergency care at varsity events
- Communication and collaboration with the Strength and Conditioning Specialists regarding athlete well-being and reconditioning
- Education regarding doping control policies
Scheduling a therapy appointment
What is Athletic Therapy?
Athletic Therapy is a healthcare profession that specializes in the prevention, assessment and care of musculoskeletal disorders (muscles, bones, joints) especially as they relate to athletics and the pursuit of physical activity.
A Certified Athletic Therapist is devoted to assisting an injured person back to their activities of daily living, physical activity and high-performance competitive sport.
A Certified Athletic Therapist assesses injuries, utilizes contemporary rehabilitative techniques, therapeutic modalities, soft tissue mobilizations, physical reconditioning and supportive taping procedures to promote an environment conducive to optimal healing in preparing the individual for safe reintegration to an active lifestyle.
For more information:
How do Athletic Therapists differ from other Healthcare professionals?
Athletic Therapists:
- Are musculoskeletal specialists
- Are trained to manage injuries in a sport specific situation
- Are trained for on-field emergency care, taping, bracing, head injury management
What happens when an athlete sustains an injury?
- Initial injury assessment
- Basic emergency life support
- Recognition and management of traumatic neurological dysfunctions
- Provision of first aid
- Referral to appropriate healthcare delivery systems
- Evaluate an athletes ability to return to play
What happens in the athletic therapy clinic?
Assessment
- History mechanism of injury, pain, previous injuries
- Observations, postural evaluations, gait
- Range Of Motion (ROM) Testing
- Strength Testing
- Palpation
Rehabilitation
- Manual techniques, tractions, mobilizations
- Modalities - ultrasound, muscle stimulation
- Cryotherapy (ice, Game Ready compression system), thermotherapy (heat)
- Exercise prescription, stretching and strengthening, core stability
- Proprioception/ balancing
- Return to play exercises
- Education on injuries, rehabilitation techniques and prevention of future injuries.
What do Athletic Therapists do to prevent injuries?
- Educate athletes in current injury prevention strategies
- Prophylactic taping / bracing
- Periodized strength and conditioning programs
- Proper dynamic warm-ups / cool-downs
- Equipment fitting and repair
- Ensure a safe competition environment
- Baseline Neurological Concussion Testing (ImPACT)
