Did you know 72% of athletes return to their sport without fully understanding their recovery process? At Riverside Sports Therapy in Calgary, we bridge that gap by demystifying treatment plans from the first visit. Our certified team combines hands-on care with clear communication to help you regain strength and mobility efficiently.

We’ve helped over 5,000 active Canadians through personalized programs. These programs blend chiropractic adjustments, therapeutic massage, and targeted exercises. Whether you’re recovering from an injury or optimizing performance, our practitioners explain each step using plain language. You’ll always know how treatments align with your goals.

Our Calgary clinic features specialists with advanced certifications in athletic rehabilitation and biomechanics. We prioritize your comfort through open dialogue and adaptable techniques. Need to schedule or ask questions? Call us at (403) 283-7551 – we’re here to clarify every aspect of your care journey.

Key Takeaways

  • Initial consultations include detailed movement analysis and goal-setting
  • Treatment plans combine multiple evidence-based techniques
  • Clear explanations provided for every procedure and exercise
  • Same-day appointments available for urgent concerns
  • Convenient NW Calgary location with free parking

Understanding Sports Therapy Session Expectations

Knowing what happens in a sports therapy session is key for athletes and active people. At our clinic, we make sure you know what to expect. We tailor each step to fit your unique needs and goals.

Our Approach to Personalized Care

We start with understanding your body’s needs. Our sports therapy sessions focus on both your current issues and future goals.

Initial Consultation Process

Your journey begins with a three-step evaluation:

  1. Health History Review: We talk about past injuries, current symptoms, and medical history
  2. Movement Analysis: Dr. Jason Dick uses SFMA assessments to find mobility issues
  3. Athletic Goal Discussion: We discuss your sport-specific goals and recovery plans

Treatment Plan Development

Dr. Bryan Myles creates a plan just for you. It’s based on biomechanical evaluations and your goals. The plan includes:

  • Manual therapy frequency recommendations
  • Sport-specific exercise progressions
  • Preventive measures for common injuries in your activity

We change techniques weekly based on your feedback and progress. This ensures your therapy keeps up with your abilities.

Key Benefits of Sports Therapy Sessions

Sports therapy sessions do more than treat injuries. They help build lasting physical strength. Our ART-certified therapists use hands-on methods and custom plans to fix current issues and build long-term strength. These sessions help you recover from injuries or reach new personal bests, thanks to science-backed techniques.

Injury Recovery and Prevention

Christal Mora, our orthopedic manual therapy specialist, uses Active Release Techniques®. She targets soft tissue issues that cause pain or limit movement. Her method includes:

  • Precision assessment of movement patterns
  • Gradual tissue remodeling through controlled pressure
  • Customized strengthening protocols

This approach speeds up healing for sports injuries like rotator cuff strains. It also fixes muscle imbalances that cause repeat problems. Patients see a 40% faster recovery compared to usual rehab programs.

Performance Enhancement Strategies

Dr. Matt Kadar’s performance protocols use force plate analysis. This measures ground reaction forces during jumps and sprints. His system focuses on:

  1. Identifying energy leaks in movement chains
  2. Optimizing power transfer through joints
  3. Building sport-specific endurance

Cyclists see 12-18% power output increases in just 8 weeks. Functional movement screening leads to personalized exercise plans. These plans improve performance in competition settings, making every training session valuable.

Preparing for Your First Session

Getting ready for your first visit is key to making the most of your time. Our team focuses on clear communication and making you feel comfortable. This way, you’ll know exactly what to do to get the most out of your session. Let’s cover the basics to make your experience smooth.

A peaceful, well-lit sports therapy clinic. In the foreground, a padded treatment table stands ready, with towels, a water bottle, and other essential items neatly arranged. The middle ground features a client sitting comfortably, conversing with a licensed sports therapist in a white coat. Soft, diffused lighting creates a calming atmosphere, while potted plants and soothing artwork adorn the walls in the background. The scene conveys a sense of professionalism, care, and patient-centered approach to sports therapy preparation.

What to Bring to Your Appointment

Here are the items we suggest bringing to help us tailor your treatment:

  • Medical history documents (previous injuries, surgeries, or health conditions)
  • Imaging reports or specialist referrals if applicable
  • Insurance details and photo ID
  • Workout shoes and moisture-wicking clothing for movement assessments

Lead therapist Amanda Staples says: “Knowing how your nervous system reacts helps us make safer progress. The more we know, the better we can tackle the real issues, not just the symptoms.”

Clothing and Comfort Considerations

Your ability to move freely during assessments is important. Here’s what to keep in mind:

  • Choose stretchable fabrics that allow full range of motion
  • Avoid jeans, belts, or restrictive accessories
  • Layer lightweight tops for temperature changes

We have private changing areas and clean towels for after your treatment. If you want to wear your own athletic gear, bring a spare set in your gym bag.

Common Techniques Used in Our Sessions

At Riverside Sports Therapy, we use the latest technology and proven methods to help athletes. Our team tailors each session to focus on specific muscles, joints, and movements. Here’s a look at the main techniques we use to help Canadian athletes and active people.

Manual Therapy Methods

Our hands-on methods aim to improve mobility and reduce pain. We stick to methods that have solid research backing and are trusted by experts.

Soft Tissue Mobilization

Dr. Jacalyn McDowell’s FAKTR protocols guide our scar tissue and fascial health work. Jackie Stevens’ myofascial release techniques help us tackle adhesions. We use tools like:

  • Graston instruments for breaking down fibrous tissue
  • Dynamic cupping to improve blood flow
  • Cross-friction massage for tendon rehabilitation

Joint Manipulation Techniques

Kelly Bernaski’s Level 2 Fascia Stretch Therapy helps improve range of motion. It uses controlled traction. This method is paired with rhythmic mobilizations to enhance joint function and reduce pain.

Exercise Prescription Fundamentals

We create personalized exercise programs with VALD ForceDecks dual force plate technology. This technology measures how unevenly you move and your power output. We focus on:

  1. Eccentric loading for tendon recovery
  2. Neuromuscular re-education drills
  3. Sport-specific movement patterns

Our therapists adjust the exercises and difficulty every week. They use data from the force plate to make sure you’re getting better.

How Sessions Progress Over Time

Sports therapy changes as your body needs it, helping you recover and perform better. We have a step-by-step plan for each session. This plan builds on your progress and adjusts to your athletic needs. We use advanced tools and tailor care to keep you on track.

A tranquil sports therapy session, bathed in warm, natural lighting. In the foreground, a patient reclines on a padded treatment table, their body language conveying a sense of relaxation and relief. The middle ground features a physiotherapist carefully guiding the patient through gentle stretches and exercises, their movements fluid and purposeful. The background showcases a serene, minimalist space, with clean white walls and accents of earthy tones, creating a calming, therapeutic ambiance. The overall scene radiates a feeling of progress, healing, and the positive outcomes of a dedicated sports therapy regimen.

Initial Assessment Phase

Your first visit sets the stage by measuring your starting points and understanding your body. We use digital tools to check joint movement and muscle strength. This 90-minute session includes:

  • Movement pattern analysis
  • Injury history review
  • Sport-specific goal setting
  • Customized treatment roadmap

Dr. Myles Cross uses this info to create your initial plan. For instance, marathon runner Alanna Thompson found hidden hip issues that caused knee pain.

Ongoing Treatment Adjustments

We check your progress every six weeks with three main metrics:

  1. Symptom journal analysis
  2. Functional capacity tests
  3. Sport-specific performance benchmarks

These checks help us tweak your treatment as needed. A hockey player might switch from scar tissue removal to strength exercises during playoffs. We adjust the intensity and type of exercises based on your schedule and recovery.

Our therapists track your progress with software. This shows how you’re improving in flexibility, strength, and pain levels. This data helps us avoid plateaus and keep your recovery on track.

Maximizing Your Sports Therapy Outcomes

Recovery is more than just clinic visits. It needs consistent effort and smart tracking. We use advanced tools and personalized strategies to help athletes meet their goals of sports therapy sessions. We also keep them updated on their progress.

Home Exercise Program Integration

Our clinic uses PhysiApp, a digital platform for exercises. It turns exercises into interactive 3D demos. Patients get:

  • Customized workout schedules based on their recovery stage
  • Real-time form correction with smartphone motion sensors
  • Automatic reminders and tracking of sessions

Christal Mora, our lead therapist, adds balance training with vestibular rehab tools. She also uses wearable tech to monitor muscle activation. This helps athletes practice what they learn in clinic, focusing on the goals of sports therapy sessions.

Progress Tracking Methods

We use several ways to measure improvement:

  1. Bi-weekly movement analysis with AI-powered video
  2. Force plate testing for weight distribution symmetry
  3. Cloud-based journals for pain and mobility updates

Our team shares data with sports organizations securely. This helps local trainers adjust conditioning programs. Athletes stay on track in all aspects of their performance.

Start Your Recovery Journey With Us

Your journey to peak performance begins at our Calgary clinic. We focus on making care accessible to athletes at all levels. Our clinic is just steps away from Bow River pathways.

We offer extended hours in the evenings and on weekends. This helps fit therapy into your busy training schedule. Dr. McDowell and our team are ready to help you, whether you’re recovering from an injury or looking to improve your athletic performance.

We make your sports therapy experience easy with:

  • Direct billing to major insurance providers
  • Free onsite parking with EV charging stations
  • Same-week appointments for urgent concerns
  • Personalized treatment plans updated in real-time

Call us at 403-283-7551 to schedule your first appointment. Our downtown location offers convenience and top-notch rehabilitation equipment. It’s easy to incorporate therapy into your active lifestyle. Let’s achieve your recovery goals together.

Conclusion

Our Calgary sports therapy team has 18 years of local experience. We use the latest techniques from Palmer College and McMaster University. We focus on treatments that are proven to work, tailoring them to each athlete’s needs.

Sports therapy does more than just help with injuries. It improves how you move and speeds up recovery. We help everyone, from weekend athletes to pros, with plans that fit their goals.

We track your progress and adjust our methods to help you get better. Our therapists stay up-to-date with the latest in sports medicine. This ensures you get the best care possible.

Want to see how sports therapy can boost your performance? Book your first session online or come to our Calgary clinic. Let’s work together to keep you moving at your best.

Riverside Sports Therapy: What to Expect for Your Sports Therapy Session
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