About Athletic Therapy
Athletic Therapists [AATA] are healthcare (clinicians) and paramedical (emergency responders) professionals, with an expertise in musculoskeletal conditions that provide comprehensive and consistent care from injury to safe and full return to activity in all areas of life. Athletic therapists provide pre-hospital medical emergency management, immediate care and reconditioning of musculoskeletal injuries and illnesses, and provide an unbiased, objective perspective to help educate patients (and organizations) on minimizing the risk of further injuries/illnesses. Athletic therapists must have fulfilled academic and practical requirements. They must also undergo stringent education and testing standards in order to certify at the national level.
An AATA specializes in
- First responder emergency on-site management of injuries and illnesses
- Emergency action plan development
- Emergency sport equipment removal
- Prophylactic or supportive technique application
- Protective sports equipment selection, fitting, and repair
- Strength and conditioning programs
- Nutritional advice
- Musculoskeletal, postural, and ergonomic assessments
- Manual therapy techniques
- Progressive exercise rehabilitation
- Prevention, assessment, and management of musculoskeletal injuries and medical emergencies
- Recognition and management of acute traumatic neurological dysfunction
- Return-to-play decisions using sport specific functional testing
