Understanding the difference: Athletic Therapy vs Physiotherapy

Medically Reviewed By Mario Starnino, CATA, CTSQ, ACNN 

You’ve probably heard of Athletic Therapy and Physiotherapy, and while both can help you move better and recover from pain, their training, focus, and day-to-day work are different. Here’s a clear breakdown so you can understand which approach is right for your body and your goals.

What is Athletic Therapy?

Athletic Therapy is often misunderstood. While many assume it’s only for athletes, Athletic Therapists (ATs) help anyone who wants to perform physical activity safely and effectively. This can include walking, training at the gym, group fitness classes, recreational sports, or competitive athletics.

ATs specialize in assessing and treating musculoskeletal injuries (muscles, bones, ligaments, tendons), concussions, and movement-related pain. We provide on-site emergency care, injury prevention strategies, and individualized exercise programs designed to help patients recover and improve performance.

Athletic Therapists can use a range of rehabilitation tools, including:

• • Manual therapy
  • Therapeutic modalities
  • Exercise prescription for strength, conditioning, and mobility
  • Bracing or taping techniques tailored to patient goals

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How Athletic Therapy Differs from Physiotherapy:

There are several key differences between Athletic Therapists (ATs) and Physiotherapists (PTs):

• • Education: ATs and PTs complete separate university degree programs. While both receive strong musculoskeletal training, ATs focus on sports-related injuries, first responder skills, taping/bracing techniques, concussion management, and movement/performance-focused exercise prescription. PTs have broader training to manage neurological, cardiopulmonary, and complex medical conditions, as well as insurance-managed cases (e.g., CNESST, SAAQ).
  • Scope of Practice: ATs focus on musculoskeletal injury prevention, rehabilitation, and performance optimization. PTs handle a wider range of medical issues such as neurological disorders, post-surgical rehab, and long-term health conditions.

Common Injuries and Situations for AT vs PT

Athletic Therapy is ideal for:

• • Muscle strains and ligament sprains
  • Overuse injuries causing chronic pain
  • Post-surgical rehabilitation (especially hips, knees, and shoulders)
  • Concussion assessment, management, and return-to-play programs
  • Anyone aiming to safely return to physical activity or sports

Physiotherapy is ideal for:

• • Neurological conditions (stroke, Parkinson’s, multiple sclerosis)
  • Cardiopulmonary or chronic health conditions
  • Complex surgeries requiring multi-system management
  • Insurance-managed rehabilitation (CNESST, SAAQ)
  • Pediatric or geriatric rehab beyond musculoskeletal focus

 

Common Misconceptions About Athletic Therapy

1. “ATs only work with athletes.”

• • Reality: ATs treat anyone wanting to move safely and perform better, from gym-goers to recreational sports players. 

2. “ATs and PTs are the same.”

• • Reality: While both treat musculoskeletal injuries, ATs specialize in injury prevention, performance, and return-to-activity, including on-field emergency care and concussion management. PTs cover a broader range of medical conditions. 

3. “ATs only do taping or bracing.”

• • Reality: Taping and bracing are just tools. ATs also provide manual therapy, exercise prescription, therapeutic modalities, and tailored rehabilitation programs.

4. “ATs can’t help post-surgical patients.”

• • Reality: ATs are skilled in post-surgical rehab, particularly for shoulders, hips, and knees, focusing on safe return to activity or sports.

5. “ATs only work in sports settings.”

• • Reality: Many ATs work in clinics, corporate wellness, rehab centers, and community fitness settings.

Why Active Individuals and Athletes Benefit More from Athletic Therapy?

ATs focus on helping patients recover safely and efficiently while returning to their specific activities without re-injury. Treatments are tailored to the movement demands of the individual’s sport, exercise routine, or daily activity.

When to See a Physiotherapist Instead:

An Athletic Therapist may refer to a Physiotherapist when:

• • Neurological conditions require specialized care
  • Cardiopulmonary or chronic medical rehab is needed
  • Complex surgeries require multi-system management
  • Insurance-managed rehab is involved (CNESST, SAAQ
  • Pediatric or geriatric rehab beyond musculoskeletal care

Bottom Line

Athletic Therapy is specialized for musculoskeletal injuries, performance, and safe return to activity. Physiotherapy has a broader medical focus that includes musculoskeletal injuries but is also for neurological, cardiopulmonary, and complex medical conditions. Many people can benefit from both at different stages of recovery.

At Activ Axion, our expertise is in Athletic Therapy, helping patients recover, perform, and move safely while always referring to the right professional if additional medical care is needed.

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