Our Services

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. 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 prescriptions 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. 

Manual Therapy 

Manual therapy is the hands-on treatment of soft tissues and joint structures, to restore the range of motion and decrease pain. At DTRC, we use a variety of treatment techniques including soft tissue massage and release techniques, joint mobilizations, and passive and assisted range of motion. 

Exercise Prescription

At DTRC, we pride ourselves on creating personalized, effective, and evidence-based exercise plans for each of our patients. After an initial assessment or movement screening, we will create a tailored plan to suit the patient's needs. These exercises may be used to increase range of motion, increase flexibility, increase cardiovascular fitness, increase strength, endurance, or power of a specific muscle group, improve balance and proprioception, improve joint mechanics, and ultimately decrease your pain and improve your function.

Preventative and Therapeutic Taping 

Taping can be used for therapeutic or preventative reasons. It can be used to support an injured area, decrease pain, provide proprioceptive feedback, or assist with swelling. 

Modalities 

At DTRC we have a variety of modalities available to assist with our therapeutic treatments. These include extracorporeal shockwave therapy, interferential current, therapeutic ultrasound, TENS (transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation), russian stimulation, NMES (neuromuscular electrical stimulation), heat therapy, and cryotherapy. At DTRC, these modalities may be used in conjunction with exercise prescription and manual therapy, but will never be used in isolation. 

Alternative Modalities: Myofascial Cupping and VooDoo Floss Bands

Myofascial cupping is the use of glass, plastic, or silicone cups to create a vacuum-like suction on the skin. The superficial muscle layer is drawn up into the cup, which has been hypothesized to stimulate the circulation of blood, break up adhesions, and promote drainage through the lymphatic system. Floss bands are a compression therapy technique used to compress a joint or muscle group while performing a certain movement through a specified range of motion. This can help improve the range of motion, restore joint mechanics, and improve swelling. 

Physiotherapy is a healthcare profession that optimizes physical function, mobility, and overall well-being. It employs various techniques and exercises to assess, diagnose, and treat various musculoskeletal, neurological, and cardiopulmonary conditions. Physiotherapy interventions may include manual therapy techniques, modalities, and exercise prescription. Jessica, a registered physiotherapy resident, carries out all physiotherapy assessments.

Massage therapy is the manipulation of soft tissues of the body including muscles, connective tissue, tendons, ligaments and joints. It is a clinically-oriented healthcare option that helps alleviate the discomfort associated with everyday occupational stresses, muscular overuse and many chronic pain conditions. At DTRC, massage therapy consists of a comprehensive assessment, manual therapy, and exercises tailored to the individual and injury. 

The services of an RMT are not covered under the Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP); however, many extended health benefit plans will cover all or part of the services provided by an RMT. A referral or prescription is not required to visit an RMT, although some insurance companies may require this.

Our strength & conditioning coaches at DTRC have provided expert care to seasoned athletes, absolute beginners, and everyone in between. After a comprehensive movement assessment, we’ll create a plan tailored to your needs and work with you to reach your goals. 

Whether you are currently in pain, would like to prevent pain, train for sport, or learn fundamental movements, this training is for you! 

Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy is a non-invasive modality used for the treatment of a variety of musculoskeletal conditions but primarily applied to chronic conditions, to promote the healing process. ESWT can be used for conditions, such as plantar fasciopathy, achilles tendinopathy, tennis elbow, golfer's elbow, calcific tendinopathies (ex. supraspinatus tendon), and patellar tendinopathies.

Having a Certified Athletic Therapist/ First Responder at sporting events provides a high level of care for athletes in the event of an injury. The therapist properly assesses, and educates the athlete about their injury and determines whether or not it is safe for them or to return to play. This results in the appropriate management of injuries, quicker recovery and a decreased rate of re-injury. Having a therapist at these events, it allows the coaches to concentrate on their duties of the game, allows parents the relief of knowing their children will have proper care, and keeps all the athletes safe.