Sport Rehabilitation in Canada
If you are eager to start a sport rehabilitation in Canada, you will need equipment, treatment devices, staff, training, business plan, and funding.
Certificate level and degree programs are offered by different universities and colleges in Canada and by divisions of the Canadian Athletic Therapists Association. Students learn more about the principles of sports psychology, how to use conditioning techniques and equipment, how to develop a rehabilitation plan, and a lot more. Universities that offer athletic therapy programs and courses include the University of Winnipeg, the University of Manitoba, York University, Concordia University.
If you plan to open a sport rehabilitation centre, you will need equipment such as treatment tables, whirlpools, and cardiac and lifting equipment. The list of necessary equipment includes massage balls, water aids, muscle stimulators, strengtheners, exercise bikes, and more. You will also need equipment to help alleviant pain after injury and trauma, for example, ultrasound devices, electrical stimulators, bio-feedback, EMG.
If you need financing for your sport rehabilitation business, a good business plan can be of help. A detailed business plan usually includes sections that focus on keys to success, your mission, cost estimates, funding, staff, and services. You may want to list the services you plan to offer, for example, treatment of injuries, training, sports massage, and assessment tests such as anaerobic and aerobic threshold, lactate threshold, etc. Other sections to include in your business plan are your marketing strategy, financial plan, sales strategy, competitive edge, and sales forecast. It is a good idea to include a section on staff required for your sport rehabilitation business, for example, a receptionist, coach, physical therapist and massage therapist, physician.
The main sources of financing for a start-up business in Canada are private loans by credit unions and banks. Lifeoncredit.ca offers financial advice that people so often need.The government offers loans to existing and start-up businesses to purchase equipment, vehicles, display cases, leasehold improvements, etc. There are ineligible expenditures such as working capital, survey costs, research and development, professional fees, and prepaid expenses. Applicants are required to provide proof of payment or purchase which can be in the form of attestation, sales contract, cash payment, purchase agreement, invoice in the name of the applicant, etc. If applying for financing under the program is not an option, one alternative is to check with a major bank or credit union or your local bank. Many financial institutions offer the full array of business borrowing solutions, including business loans and lines of credit, small business overdrafts, franchise financing, operating loans, and credit cards - see this article. Many banks feature long-term, mid-term, and short-term operating loans depending on the borrower’s financing needs. Getting a short-term loan, for example, is a good way to secure funding for inventory, materials, supplies, and equipment. Operating lines of credit, mortgage loans are also available to help businesses secure working capital. Financial institutions feature operating lines of credit with benefits such as automatic fund transfers, convenient and secure access, and large credit limits. Business credit cards are also offered by many credit unions, banks, and finance companies, including MasterCard, VISA, and American Express. Added benefits include large credit limits, long grace periods, welcome bonuses, free additional cards, and cashback rewards, to name a few.
Sports Medicine in Canada
Sports medicine has as its main focus the prevention and treatment of injuries caused by physical activity and sports. Healthcare practitioners study different risk groups, analyze risk patterns, and provide supervision and early treatment.
The beginning of sports history in Canada can be traced to 1960 when exercise programs became increasingly popular, and the first fitness clubs opened doors. During the 1970s, countries such as the U.S., Australia, and Britain already had sports medicine associations. The International Federation of Sports Medicine was founded back in 1928. Different associations worked actively to raise awareness and generate interest in sports-medicine topics. It was also in the 1970s when many Canadians joined the ranks of the American College of Sports Medicine. The Pan American Games in 1967 presented an excellent opportunity for physiotherapists, trainers, physiologists, and physicians to meet and discuss the establishment of a Canadian sports medicine association. This is the beginning of the Canadian Association of Sports Sciences which was established with the active participation of the Canadian Association of Physical Health Exercise and Recreation and the Canadian Medical Association. The association evolved to become the Canadian Academy of Sport and Exercise Medicine, which now functions as a charitable organization.
Headquartered in Ottawa, the Canadian Academy of Sport and Exercise Medicine engages in fundraising and receives donations in the form of corporate sponsorships. The academy has a number of specialized committees such as Research, Fellowship, Publications, and Communications/Membership. Clinical interest groups work in different areas, including sport safety, adaptive physical activity, team physician coordination, pediatric sport medicine, and wilderness medicine. The Canadian Academy of Sport and Exercise Medicine organizes and participates in different events throughout the year such as the CASEM Running Injuries Course, Hockey Sports Medicine, Advanced Sport Medicine Course, and others. The organization awards annual awards, including The Medal of Service Award, Educator/Mentor Award, and Community Sport Medicine Physician of the Year.
The Canadian Sport Institute offers healthcare services through a network of 200 providers in Ontario. Practitioners offer pulmonary function testing, ECG, blood monitoring, physical exams, and more. The institute works in several focus areas and namely, research and innovation, strength and conditioning, sport physiology, sport nutrition, sports medicine, mental performance, and others. The institute also runs different programs such as the Game Plan, Advanced Coaching Diploma Program, Integrated Support Team, and others. Finally, the institute organizes different events, programs, and workshops such as networking events for business owners and athletes, cooking workshops.
Sports Medical Practitioners, Scope and Specialization
Sports medical practitioners treat common injuries such as muscle strains, shin splints, ankle sprains, muscle cramps, concussion, and others. They plan and develop rehabilitation and treatment plans and offer advice on appropriate exercise and diet plans. To this, sports medical practitioners liaise with other professionals such as conditioning and strength coaches, physiotherapists, dietitians.
To practice sports medicine in Canada, healthcare professionals are required to complete training in orthopedics, emergency medicine, family practice, or a related field. Some universities such as the University of Ottawa offer programs in Sport and Exercise Medicine. Students take different courses in cardiac rehabilitation, rheumatology, pediatric orthopedic surgery, adult orthopedic surgery, and MSK cardiology. They also learn about eating disorders, concussion care, massage therapy, nutrition, bracing, and a lot more.
Upon training completion, sports medical practitioners usually work for organizations, professional and amateur sports teams, and clinics and in private practices. They often work in teams with other healthcare professionals such as kinesiologists, sports psychologists, athletic therapists, and physiotherapists.
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