Sports injury care is for anyone hurt while playing or training, whether that is a rec league, a running goal or competitive play. At CARESPACE it is not one service. Physiotherapists, Chiropractors, Registered Massage Therapists and Kinesiologists each handle part of the work, and some of our Physiotherapists and Chiropractors are also certified strength and conditioning coaches (CSCS). No referral is needed.
The approach
What sports injury care covers
A sports injury is looked at against what your sport asks of you. A sprained ankle in a soccer player has to handle cutting and landing, not only walking. So the assessment covers the injured area and also the strength, mobility and movement that your sport depends on.
Care usually moves through three stages: settling the injury, rebuilding strength and control, and a staged return to training and then to play. Which services you need depends on the injury and the stage you are at, and most people start with one practitioner.
Who does what
The services involved
- Physiotherapy. A Physiotherapist assesses the injury at your first visit and can treat it with hands-on work, rehab exercise and taping. Physiotherapists also fit braces.
- Chiropractic. A Chiropractor also assesses at the first visit, and can treat joints and soft tissue and prescribe exercise.
- Massage therapy. A Registered Massage Therapist works on tight or sore muscle during rehab and through heavy training.
- Kinesiology. A Kinesiologist builds and coaches the exercise program that takes you from rehab back to full activity.
- Strength and conditioning. Some of our Physiotherapists and Chiropractors are also certified strength and conditioning coaches (CSCS), so the person treating your injury can also plan the training that follows it.
Other services can be part of the plan: personal training, a Registered Dietitian for fuelling and recovery, mental performance for confidence after an injury, Fascial Stretch Therapy, dry needling and rehabilitation after surgery. Some Physiotherapists and Chiropractors also provide custom orthotics. Everyone you see at CARESPACE works from the same plan.
Common injuries
Injuries we see
Each of these has its own page, which sets out what the research and guidelines say and how each CARESPACE service fits in.
- Sprains: ankle sprain, ACL injury, MCL sprain and meniscus tear
- Muscle strains: hamstring, groin, calf and quad
- Running injuries: runner’s knee, IT band syndrome, shin splints and stress fracture
- Tendon pain: Achilles tendinopathy, jumper’s knee, rotator cuff tendinopathy and tennis elbow
- Shoulder: shoulder dislocation
- Head: concussion
For the general picture, see our sports injuries page.
Practitioners who work with sports injuries
These practitioners have told us that sports injury rehab, sports massage or strength and conditioning is a focus of their work. Sort by next availability or by the location closest to you.
Chiropractors
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Weekend availability
Danial Dimitri, BSc (Hons), DC
Chiropractor, District Manager
You do not need to keep building your life around jaw tension, headaches, back pain, or a body that no longer feels like it moves the way it…
Kinesiologists
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Available this week
Ian Alishaw, BHSc, CPTN, RKin, FST
Kinesiologist/Fitness Trainer/Fascial Stretch Therapist, Clinic Director
You should not have to choose between getting stronger and respecting a body that needs a smarter plan.
Osteopathic Manual Practitioners
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Evening availability Weekend availability
Tejinder Paul, DOMP
Osteopathic Manual Practitioner
I am a dedicated Osteopath committed to helping clients improve their overall well-being, movement, and quality of life through personalized, hands-on care.
Your first visit
What to expect
Your first visit is an assessment. Your practitioner asks about the injury, your sport, your schedule and what you want to get back to, then tests the injured area and how you move. You leave with an explanation in plain language, a plan and something to start on that day.
Later visits progress the program. Your practitioner also helps you work out what you can keep doing while you recover, so you lose as little fitness as possible. Near the end, the decision to go back rests on testing as well as time: strength, range of motion and control compared with your other side, then movements from your sport such as hopping, cutting or overhead work.
Good to know
Questions about sports injury care
Who should I book with first?
A Physiotherapist or a Chiropractor. Both assess and treat at the first visit and can bring in other services if you need them. If you are not sure, call 519-208-2273 and our Central Reception Team will help you choose.
When should I go to an emergency department instead?
Go to an emergency department, or call 911, for a suspected broken bone, a joint that looks out of place, or a head injury followed by a worsening headache, repeated vomiting, confusion or loss of consciousness. Book with us once that has been looked after.
What is a CSCS?
CSCS is a strength and conditioning certification from the National Strength and Conditioning Association, for people who design training programs for athletes. At CARESPACE it is held by some Physiotherapists and Chiropractors, on top of their registration in their own profession.
Can I keep training while I am injured?
Usually, with changes. Your practitioner may suggest swapping running for cycling or pool work, adjusting your lifting, or cutting volume instead of stopping. What is safe depends on the injury and the stage it is at, so ask before you decide for yourself.
Is this only for competitive athletes?
No. Many of our clients are recreational runners, hockey and soccer league players, climbers, cyclists and gym-goers. The approach is the same at any level: match the plan to what your activity asks of you.
Do I need a referral, and will my plan reimburse it?
No referral is needed. CARESPACE does not bill insurance directly; you pay at your visit and receive a detailed receipt. The receipt is for the service of the practitioner you see, for example physiotherapy or chiropractic, so check that your plan covers that service.
Ready to book?
Book online, or call 519-208-2273 and our Central Reception Team will match you with a practitioner who works with sports injuries at the location closest to you.