What is the difference between a Registered Kinesiologist and a Certified Athletic Therapist?
Although Athletic Therapy and Kinesiology have similar aspects to their professions with respect to the study of human body biomechanics, exercise science and functional movement, they are quite distinct from an education and therapeutic treatment perspective.
Certified Athletic Therapists specialize in the prevention, assessment, treatment and rehabilitation of sports and exercise related injuries.
Kinesiologists focus their attention on sports/exercise conditioning, ergonomics, and functional ability evaluations.
In Jason's educational journey, he first took his Honours Degree in Kinesiology as it provided a strong foundation in the study of human movement, combining various courses in anatomy, physiology, neurology, biomechanics, psychology, and biochemistry. Kinesiology helps to tie each of these courses together in one scientific discipline. From there, he advanced his studies to the Athletic Therapy program, which is a stand-alone clinical profession which builds on the research and foundations of Kinesiology.
Usually in a sports environment, you will see Kinesiologists used for athletic training purposes alone, where Athletic Therapists take on a more supervisory role, as they are the first responders for emergency care and management of sports injuries.
Both professions require their own licensing examinations and follow a specific scope of practice, standard of care and ethics mandated by their respective associations. Certified Athletic Therapists are accredited by the Canadian Athletic Therapists Association along with their specific provincial chapters. Registered Kinesiologists are regulated in Ontario by the College of Kinesiologists of Ontario.
Which One Do You Need?
You might be reading this and wondering which category do I fall under? That is the beauty of working with Jason, using his 10+ years of expertise, he can make that decision for you.
He has the unique ability to assess, treat, rehabilitate my clients in a wide variety scenario including new and lingering injuries, chronic pain and work-related accidents, coach athletes and active individuals through their periodization sport specific conditioning programs and consult on workplace wellness, desk ergonomics and evaluate functional abilities - WHO ELSE CAN DO ALL THAT?!
Being registered with both colleges, he can bill his services through a wide variety of extended healthcare and benefit plans!
Jason Varghese is a Certified Athletic Therapist and Kinesiologist who treats in our Aurora clinic on Mondays.
He manages 2 of our Corporate Wellness clinics and consults on a wide variety of projects including ergonomic assessments, functional ability evaluations, independent medical evaluations and diagnostic evaluations Tuesday - Friday.
To make use of your remaining benefits this 2022 calendar year, please click here to book either a Kinesiology Assessment or follow up treatment or an Athletic Therapy Assessment or follow up treatment.
To learn more about which form of treatment may be right for your needs, email Jason directly at jason@honsbergerphysio.com!
Written by: JASON VARGHESE
Certified Athletic Therapist and Registered Kinesiologist
Director of Corporate Care
Managing Clinic Director - Aurora
