Athletic Therapy vs Physiotherapy: Which Is Right for Your Rehab?

If you’re dealing with pain, stiffness, or an injury, you’ve probably come across both physiotherapy and athletic therapy as treatment options. While both professions work with musculoskeletal conditions, they approach care a little differently.

At Revolution Rehab in Winnipeg, we are an Athletic Therapy–led clinic. Understanding the difference between these two professions can help you choose the care that best fits your body, your lifestyle, and your goals.

Athletic Therapy:
Movement-Focused, Real-Life Rehab

Certified Athletic Therapists (CAT(C)) are university-trained healthcare professionals with focused, advanced education in muscle, joint, and movement assessment, injury management, and functional rehabilitation.

While Athletic Therapists are commonly associated with sports, their training is highly applicable to everyday injuries and pain, including:

• Back and neck pain

• Shoulder, hip, and knee issues

• Strains, sprains, and overuse injuries

• Work-related and lifestyle-related pain

• Postural and movement limitations

Athletic Therapy focuses on how your body moves in real life, not just in a clinic or gym.

What sets Athletic Therapy apart:

• One-on-one care, start to finish
  Your therapist works with you for the entire session with no assistants and no hand-offs.

• Movement-based assessment
  We look at how you sit, walk, lift, reach, work, and live.

• Practical rehab plans
  Clear, simple strategies that fit your routine, often without needing a gym. You don’t need a gym or complicated routine to be pain-free.

• Hands-on treatment + movement retraining
  Manual therapy, mobility work, functional exercise, and education combined into a cohesive plan.

Athletic Therapists are also trained in acute injury assessment, taping, bracing, and return-to-activity planning, making them highly effective for both sudden injuries and ongoing pain.

The CAT(C) designation means the therapist has met national certification standards through the Canadian Athletic Therapists Association.

Physiotherapy: Broad Clinical Scope

Physiotherapists are also healthcare professionals in Canada, typically holding a Master’s degree. Their training spans a wide range of health conditions, including neurological, cardiorespiratory, and orthopedic care.

Physiotherapy may be a good fit when:

• A condition involves multiple body systems

• There are complex neurological or medical factors

• Insurance coverage requires physiotherapy specifically

• A client is seeking a physiotherapy-focused approach

Physiotherapists commonly use combinations of manual therapy, exercise, education, and clinical modalities as part of care.

Why Revolution Rehab Is Athletic Therapy–Led

Over time, we’ve found that Athletic Therapy delivers the most effective, practical outcomes for the majority of people seeking help with everyday pain and movement issues.

Our clients often come to us frustrated by:

• Rushed appointments

• Generic exercise sheets

• Feeling like “just another body”

Athletic Therapy allows us to provide:

• More time with your therapist

• Clear explanations that actually make sense

• Rehab that fits real life, not a template

That’s why Athletic Therapy is the foundation of care at Revolution Rehab.

Which Should You Choose?

In many cases, both Athletic Therapists and Physiotherapists can treat similar injuries.

You may benefit most from Athletic Therapy if you:

• Want individualized, movement-focused rehab

• Have pain related to work, posture, activity, or daily life

• Value hands-on care and clear guidance

• Want a practical plan you can actually follow

Physiotherapy may be appropriate in specific cases, and we maintain a trusted referral network when another provider is better suited to your needs.

Still Not Sure? We Can Help.

Choosing the right type of rehab shouldn’t be confusing.

If you’re unsure whether Athletic Therapy or Physiotherapy is the best fit, reach out to our team. We’re happy to talk through your situation and guide you toward the most appropriate care, whether that’s with us or through a referral.

Revolution Rehab — Movement Made Easy.

Author: Nikki Smith CAT(C)
Owner