Certified Athletic Therapists in Ireland are governed by Athletic Rehabilitation Therapy Ireland (ARTI). ARTI is responsible for the regulation, promotion, and education of CATs in Ireland. To become a Certified Athletic Therapist, you must have a college degree in a field related to sports medicine. Completion of 500 hours of clinical experience, a certificate in Emergency First Response and passing the ARTI certification exam are also required. Athletic therapists must regularly participate in continuous professional development (CPD) to maintain certified with ATRI. It’s also necessary to stay current with medical research and continuously improve skills. This ongoing learning ensures the highest level of service is provided to patients.
What does an Athletic Therapist do?
An Athletic Therapist is a healthcare professional specialising in the prevention, assessment, treatment, and rehabilitation of musculoskeletal injuries. Their primary focus is improving or restoring movement, function and overall physical performance.
An Athletic Therapist can help a wide range of people, from athletes to the general population. Whether it’s returning to work, hobbies or to sport. Typical injuries that athletic therapists can treat are:
- Sports injuries (hamstring, quad, groin, calf, etc.)
- Joint pain
- Back and neck pain
- Tendinopathies
- Osteoarthritis
- Tight and achy muscles (sports massages/deep tissue massage)
It can be beneficial to visit an Athletic Therapist if experiencing pain or discomfort related to muscles, joints, or movement or have sustained an injury. They can also help if you want to improve physical performance, prevent injuries, or recover from a recent injury. Recurring issues are also treatable by athletic therapists.
Key roles:
- Injury Prevention: Athletic therapists work with individuals to design and implement strategies to prevent injuries. This includes conditioning programs, education on proper techniques, and advising on equipment use
- Assessment and Diagnosis: They assess and diagnose acute and chronic injuries, such as sprains, strains, fractures, and other musculoskeletal conditions
- Treatment: Athletic therapists provide various treatments, including manual therapy, therapeutic exercises and other techniques to reduce pain and promote healing
- Rehabilitation: They develop and supervise rehabilitation programs to help individuals recover from injuries and regain strength, flexibility and function
- On-Field Emergency Care: Working in sports settings providing immediate care and emergency response for injuries during practices and competitions
- Education and Support: They educate athletes and individuals about conditions, injury prevention and the importance of maintaining a healthy lifestyle.
Differences between Physiotherapy and Athletic Therapy
Certified Athletic Therapy (CAT) can be confused with Physiotherapy or used synonymously with it, which is inaccurate. This confusion can occur as Physiotherapy is a more well-known profession, while Certified Athletic Therapy is relatively new in Ireland. Both Physiotherapists and Certified Athletic Therapists are part of the same team with the sole focus of returning patients to their pre-injury lifestyle.
The main difference between the two is that Physiotherapy education splits its focus into three main areas: Musculoskeletal, Neurological, and Cardiorespiratory Rehabilitation. In contrast, Certified Athletic Therapy education primarily focuses on musculoskeletal issues, with some insights into the neurological system, as well as providing immediate emergency care on the field.
Physiotherapists and Athletic Therapists can work in a range of healthcare settings, including private clinics, sports clubs, and educational institutes. They often work as part of a multidisciplinary team to provide the best possible care. A key difference is that Physiotherapists can also work in hospitals.
In Ireland, the educational pathways for Physiotherapy and Athletic Therapy are distinct, reflecting the different focuses and scopes of each profession. Physiotherapists undergo a broad education in physiotherapy, with a focus on general physical health and rehabilitation. This is followed by certification with CORU and ISCP (Irish Society of Chartered Physiotherapists). In contrast, Athletic Therapists receive specialised training in musculoskeletal injuries and rehabilitation. Which is followed by certification with ARTI Athletic Rehabilitation Therapy Ireland (ARTI). Both professionals must regularly participate in continuous professional development (CPD) to maintain certification. They stay current with medical research, and continuously develop skills by attending courses, lectures, and seminars, as well as reading journal articles. This ongoing learning ensures the provision of the highest level of service to patients.
Find more information about Physiotherapy in the blog: What is Physiotherapy?
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