June 5, 2006 – The Canadian Athletic Therapists Association (CATA) has announced that for the first time in Canada, June will be declared as Athletic Therapy Month. Certified athletic therapists nationwide will be communicating the advantages of the profession by promoting their positioning statement “Athletic Therapy – Rapid Return to Work and Play”.
A number of activities have been planned by Athletic Therapists across Canada during this exciting time. The intention of these events is to promote the benefits from the more active approach athletic therapy takes to help individuals recover from their sports-related injuries
2006 Torino Winter Olympic Gold Medalist in Freestyle skiing Jennifer Heil, understands the importance of a Certified Athletic Therapists. “Four years ago I was unable to compete anywhere near my athletic potential due to chronic injuries to my back and shins and was introduced to Montreal based athletic therapists, Dave Campbell and Scott Livingston who worked as a team to heal and recondition my body”, said Jennifer Heil 2006 Olympic Gold Medalist. “With their support and guidance I was able to get back on track, compete injury free, and win at the highest levels. Athletic Therapy is an integral part of my training program. Its ability to help athletes succeed is something all athletes could benefit from.”

Brian McKeever, Paralympian cross country skier and biathlete and winner of 4 medals in Torino also believes in a more aggressive approach to athletic therapy. “Athletic Therapy has been critical in my preparation. Maggie Kayes has been the person that has kept me going. She has stressed the importance of keeping the joints stable over extended periods of training during competition and the off-season where we train up to 6 hours daily in repetitive motion activities like running or roller skiing.” Without Maggie, we would be permanently injured and not fully aware of the need to avoid long-term damage.”
The CATA, based in Calgary, Alberta, is a not-for-profit organization with more than 1,400 members nationwide. The CATA’s mission is to enhance the quality of health care for athletes and those engaged in physical activity, and to advance the profession of athletic training through education and research in the prevention, evaluation, management and rehabilitation of injuries.

For more information, please call Grant Slessor at the National office number listed above or visit our website at www.athletictherapy.org.