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Manual therapy for athletic performance and injury recovery
Sports osteopathy applies hands-on techniques to musculoskeletal restrictions caused by training and competition. Practitioners assess how repetitive movements alter joint mechanics, muscle response, and connective tissue mobility. Manual therapy restores movement patterns disrupted by athletic demands.
This differs from general osteopathy through sport-specific assessment. Practitioners analyze biomechanics related to running stride, lifting mechanics, or cutting patterns. At Revibe Mississauga and Markham, osteopaths coordinate with physiotherapists, chiropractors, and massage therapists for integrated care.
What is Sports Osteopathy?
Sports osteopathy applies hands-on techniques to musculoskeletal restrictions caused by training and competition. Practitioners assess how repetitive movements alter joint mechanics, muscle response, and connective tissue mobility. Manual therapy restores movement patterns disrupted by athletic demands.
Competitive athletes from recreational to professional levels seek treatment for performance optimization and injury recovery. Runners address overuse patterns, weightlifters resolve joint restrictions limiting lift mechanics, and team sport athletes manage collision-related injuries. Office workers with postural strain and weekend warriors with recreational injuries also receive care.
Treatment Methods & Techniques
Sessions begin with movement assessment examining joint mobility, muscle tone, and compensation patterns. Joint mobilization restores restricted articulation in the spine, pelvis, shoulders, hips, knees, and ankles. Soft tissue release targets adhesions in fascia and chronically tense muscles. Myofascial stretching lengthens shortened muscle groups, while articulatory techniques restore normal joint play.
Who Benefits?
Competitive athletes from recreational to professional levels, runners addressing overuse patterns, weightlifters resolving joint restrictions, team sport athletes managing injuries, office workers with postural strain, and weekend warriors with recreational injuries all benefit from sports osteopathy treatment.
Conditions Treated with Sports Osteopathy
Our osteopaths at Revibe use sport-specific techniques to address a wide range of athletic injuries and performance limitations affecting runners, strength athletes, and team sport players.
Running Injuries
Runners develop IT band syndrome from lateral knee friction, plantar fasciitis from arch tissue strain, Achilles tendinopathy in the heel-to-calf connection, and patellofemoral pain from kneecap tracking issues. Shin splints create medial tibial pain, while stress fractures result from inadequate bone recovery.
Biomechanics assessment:Hip mobility, ankle dorsiflexion, foot mechanics, and pelvic alignment. Limited ankle dorsiflexion alters landing mechanics. Restricted hip extension shortens stride length. Pelvic asymmetry creates uneven leg loading during the gait cycle.
Strength Training Injuries
Weightlifters, powerlifters, and CrossFit athletes experience shoulder impingement during overhead movements, hip restrictions limiting squat depth, and thoracic spine stiffness affecting press positioning. Grip-intensive training creates wrist and elbow restrictions, while heavy compound lifts strain the lumbar spine and sacroiliac joints.
Mobility assessment:Shoulder external rotation determines overhead press mechanics. Hip flexion range sets squat depth capacity. Ankle dorsiflexion influences front squat positioning. Limited thoracic extension alters barbell path during squats.
Team Sport Injuries
Hockey, soccer, and basketball players develop ankle sprains damaging lateral ligaments, groin strains affecting adductor attachments, and shoulder separations disrupting the AC joint. Concussions create neck tension requiring specialized manual therapy. Hip impingement affects repetitive kicking movements, while knee ligament injuries alter mechanics even after surgical repair.
Sport-specific assessment:Cutting movements, acceleration patterns, and deceleration mechanics. Hockey players demonstrate skating-specific patterns. Soccer players show kicking mechanics and direction changes. Basketball players perform jumping and landing assessments.
Muscle Strains & Tendinopathy
Muscle strains from fiber tears during explosive movements. Tendinopathy in structures experiencing repetitive loading cycles. Ligament sprains causing joint instability. Fascial restrictions limiting tissue glide between muscle layers.
Common scenarios:Hamstring strains in sprinters, rotator cuff tendinopathy in throwing athletes, patellar tendinopathy in jumpers, adductor strains in hockey and soccer players.
Biomechanical Imbalances
Biomechanical imbalances creating asymmetric loading across joints. Chronic pain from incomplete injury healing. Movement compensations after past trauma. These restrictions change how load distributes across the musculoskeletal system during athletic movements.
Common scenarios:Altered gait patterns from old ankle sprains, compensatory shoulder mechanics after injury, pelvic asymmetry affecting running stride, chronic back pain from incomplete rehabilitation.
Post-Surgical Rehabilitation
Manual therapy addresses joint restrictions and scar tissue formation after surgical repair. Osteopaths work alongside physiotherapists to restore mobility and optimize healing. Treatment helps athletes return to sport with proper movement patterns.
Common scenarios:ACL reconstruction recovery, shoulder surgery rehabilitation, hip arthroscopy post-op care, ankle surgery mobility restoration.
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Sports Osteopathy vs Physiotherapy vs Chiropractic
At Revibe, these disciplines collaborate to provide comprehensive athletic care. Understanding the differences helps you choose the right treatment approach for your needs.
Osteopaths evaluate the body as an integrated system where restrictions in one region affect distant structures. Manual therapy focuses on tissue relationships, fascial systems, and whole-body mechanics using gentler mobilization techniques. Treatment considers how athletic demands create compensation patterns throughout the entire kinetic chain.
Physiotherapists emphasize exercise rehabilitation with progressive loading strategies and movement re-education. Treatment builds strength deficits and restores functional movement patterns through targeted exercises. Physiotherapy excels at creating sport-specific training programs for injury prevention and performance enhancement.
Chiropractors use high-velocity spinal manipulations to restore joint mobility and address nerve interference. Adjustments create immediate changes in joint position and neural feedback. Chiropractic care focuses primarily on spinal alignment and its effects on nervous system function.
A patient may receive osteopathic mobilization for joint restrictions, physiotherapy exercises for strength deficits, and chiropractic adjustments for spinal alignment within one treatment plan. This collaborative approach addresses multiple aspects of athletic injury and performance optimization simultaneously.
Initial Consultation & Treatment Sessions
First visits (60 minutes) include activity history review, injury background discussion, and physical examination with posture analysis, gait assessment, and joint range testing. Running athletes perform gait analysis, strength athletes demonstrate lifting patterns, and team sport athletes show movements reproducing symptoms.
Treatment begins after assessment using joint manipulation, soft tissue mobilization, myofascial release, or stretching based on findings. Follow-up sessions (30-45 minutes) reassess movement patterns and tissue quality to track recovery.
Acute injuries under two weeks old typically need weekly sessions for 4-6 weeks. Chronic conditions respond to bi-weekly sessions initially, transitioning to monthly maintenance. Training athletes often schedule quarterly visits for injury prevention.
Treatment Expectations & Recovery Timeline
Practitioners modify pressure and technique selection based on tissue response during treatment. Acute injuries receive gentler approaches, while chronic restrictions may require deeper work. Treatment adapts as mobility improves across sessions.
Recovery timelines vary based on injury severity, chronicity, and individual healing capacity. Acute strains may resolve within 4-6 weeks with consistent treatment. Chronic restrictions often require 8-12 weeks for significant improvement. Athletes returning to high-level competition may need extended care to ensure complete resolution.
Between sessions, home exercises and activity modifications support healing. Your osteopath provides specific recommendations for stretching, strengthening, and gradual return to sport activities.
What to Expect During Treatment
• Comprehensive movement assessment
• Joint mobilization and manipulation
• Soft tissue release techniques
• Myofascial stretching
• Sport-specific movement analysis
• Home exercise prescriptionTreatment Frequency Guidelines
• Acute injuries: Weekly for 4-6 weeks
• Chronic conditions: Bi-weekly initially
• Maintenance care: Monthly sessions
• Injury prevention: Quarterly visits
• Pre-competition: As needed for optimization
• Post-surgical: Coordinated with physiotherapy
Frequently Asked Questions About Sports Osteopathy
Initial consultations run 60 minutes including assessment and treatment. Follow-ups typically last 30-45 minutes. The first visit allows comprehensive evaluation of your sport-specific movement patterns and injury history.
Osteopaths use manual therapy addressing whole-body structural relationships through hands-on mobilization. Physiotherapists emphasize exercise rehabilitation with progressive strengthening protocols. Both treat sports injuries using different philosophies, and at Revibe they often work together for optimal results.
Acute injuries may need weekly sessions for 4-6 weeks. Chronic conditions often respond to bi-weekly or monthly treatment. Your osteopath provides an estimate after initial assessment based on your specific condition and goals.
OHIP does not cover osteopathy in Ontario. Most extended health plans include coverage under manual therapy benefits. Contact your provider to verify limits and copayments. Revibe offers direct billing for many insurance providers.
Yes. Treatment restores joint mobility and releases soft tissue restrictions from past injuries. Manual therapy corrects biomechanical patterns that perpetuate chronic pain and movement limitations, helping athletes return to optimal performance.
Wear athletic wear, shorts, and t-shirts allowing movement and treatment area access. Avoid jeans or restrictive clothing limiting joint assessment. Bring any relevant imaging or medical reports to your first visit.
Activity modification depends on your specific injury. Your osteopath will guide you on safe training modifications and progressive return to full activity. The goal is to maintain fitness while allowing proper healing.
Yes, our osteopaths work with athletes at all levels from recreational to professional. We understand the demands of competitive sport and create treatment plans that support your training and competition schedule.
Sports osteopathy includes sport-specific assessment of movement patterns like running stride, lifting mechanics, or cutting patterns. Practitioners understand athletic demands and training requirements, tailoring treatment to support performance goals alongside injury recovery.
Osteopathy optimizes joint mobility and tissue function, which can enhance movement efficiency and reduce injury risk. Many athletes schedule regular maintenance sessions to address restrictions before they become injuries, supporting consistent training and performance.
Meet Our Osteopath Practitioners
Anesto Charles Osteopathic Manual Practitioner
Erica Runnalls Osteopathic Manual Practitioner
Emily Wilson Osteopathic Manual Practitioner
What Our Patients Are Saying
Anesto is an excellent osteopath who's been a huge help in my ankle injury recovery. He's knowledgeable, attentive, and takes the time to explain everything clearly. Each session has made a real difference in my mobility and pain levels. I truly appreciate his care and expertise. I highly recommend him!
I have been seeing Anesto for 6-7 months now for Osteopathy. From not knowing what Osteopathy was and not understanding what the benefits could be I decided to try it out. Anesto is such an amazing Osteopath, from my first meeting/assessment with him i knew i was going to be in good hands, he has such a chill and caring personality; which made me feel comfortable. Anesto explained to me what Osteo was, what the benefits it could bring me as well, any questions i would have, he always clarified/explained the cause and effect so well. For context I play 4-5 nights if volleyball, i play golf in the summer and sprinkle in a bit of tennis aswell. My knees, hips and ankles take a lot of impact and with Anesto's guidance, I am so much more pain free; in addition to how my performance in the different sports have gone up. If you are curious on what Osteopathy is or you would want someone to approach therapy in a holistic way, i would 100% recommend you try it specifically with Anesto.
This place was my last stop to my hip and neck pain. I worked with the Osteopath, Anesto and I absolutely love his approach. He helped eliminate that nagging pain that I had for some time. One of the things that stood out the most for me is that he listened to me as I explained what I was going through. Anesto is very knowledgeable with his work and saved me from overthinking about my pain as he explained thoroughly to me what was really happening in my body. Revibe is a very welcoming and clean space and everybody is so kind!
It was recommended that I try osteopathy for my back pain, so I decided to see Emily Wilson at Revibe. During my initial visit, she was very positive, and always makes me feel comfortable during my follow up treatments. Emily explains the treatments to me and helps me understand how it benefits my back pain. I always look forward to my appointments with her! I would highly recommend booking with Emily and trying osteopathy!
Book Your Appointment in Mississauga, Markham or Burlington
Revibe operates clinics in Mississauga (serving Streetsville, Erin Mills, Meadowvale, and surrounding areas) and Markham (serving Unionville, Thornhill, Buttonville, and surrounding areas). Both locations provide comprehensive assessment and treatment services for your health and wellness needs.
Mississauga Clinic
Location: 2290 Dixie Rd, Mississauga, ON L4Y 1Z4
Phone: 905-783-8423
Hours: Monday-Friday 8am-8pm, Saturday 9am-3pm
New patient visits include comprehensive assessment and first treatment session (75 minutes). Bring previous imaging reports, medical diagnoses, and lists of current symptoms. Wear comfortable clothing that allows access to treatment areas.
Serving: Streetsville, Erin Mills, Meadowvale, Churchill Meadows, Lorne Park, Port Credit, Clarkson, and surrounding Mississauga neighborhoods. Convenient access from Highway 403, QEW, and Erin Mills Parkway.
Book Mississauga
Markham Clinic
Location: 220 Torbay Rd, Markham ON, L3R 1G6
Phone: 905-783-8423
Hours: Monday-Friday 8am-8pm, Saturday 9am-3pm
Insurance coverage varies by provider. Extended health plans often include manual therapy and wellness services. Direct billing available for plans that Revibe accepts. Receipts provided for insurance submission or tax purposes.
Serving: Unionville, Thornhill, Markham Village, Buttonville, Milliken, Cornell, Angus Glen, and surrounding Markham and Richmond Hill areas. Easy access from Highway 7, Highway 404, and Major Mackenzie Drive.
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Burlington Clinic
Coming Soon
We're excited to announce that our Burlington location will be opening soon. Stay tuned for updates on our new clinic serving the Burlington, Oakville, and surrounding areas.
