Physiotherapists are primary health care professionals with a significant role in health promotion and treatment of injury and disease.

They combine their in-depth knowledge of the body and how it works with specialized hands-on clinical skills to assess, diagnose and treat symptoms of illness, injury or disability.

All physiotherapists registered to practise in Canada are qualified to provide safe and effective physiotherapy. They have met national entry-level education and practice standards, and have successfully passed a standardized physiotherapy competency examination prior to being registered with the college of physiotherapists in their province/territory.

Osteopathic manual therapy is a client-centred discipline that is based on understanding the relationship between structure and function in order to enhance the body’s inherent ability to heal itself. Osteopathy relies on skilled manual therapeutic techniques to assess and treat the individual as a whole.

The philosophy of Osteopathy is based on four basic principles:

*Each structure in the body supports the body’s functions.

*The natural flow of the body’s fluids – lymphatic, vascular and neurological – must be preserved and maintained.

*The human body is the sum of its parts. Its physical, emotional, social, spiritual, and cognitive systems don’t work independently - they work in harmony.

*When the body has no restrictions, it has the inherent ability to heal itself.

Osteopathy is based on an extensive knowledge and understanding of anatomy, physiology, patho-physiology, bio-mechanics, physical assessment, and treatment to treat a wide range of injuries, dysfunctions and imbalances. Osteopathic treatment techniques include but are not limited to:

Osteo-articular adjustments

Cranial-sacral application

Visceral normalization / mobilization

Fascial release

Athletic Therapy uses contemporary rehabilitative techniques to promote an environment conducive to optimal healing in preparing the individual for safe reintegration back into an active lifestyle. Athletic Therapy utilizes a variety of manual therapy techniques, exercise prescription, taping and bracing to help return an individual to activities of daily living, sport and work. Anyone can benefit – from a child who plays competitive sports, to an older adult recovering from a knee or hip replacement surgery.

The scope of practice of a Certified Athletic Therapist starts with the in-depth knowledge, education and training in the areas of the human musculoskeletal system, exercise physiology, biomechanics, and basic emergency care.

Massage therapy is a hands-on manipulation of the soft tissues of the body, specifically, the muscles, connective tissue, tendons, ligaments and joints.

Massage therapy treatment has a therapeutic effect on the body and improves health and well-being by acting on the muscular, nervous and circulatory systems. Physical function can be developed, maintained and improved and physical dysfunction and pain can be relieved or prevented through the use of massage therapy.