The Case for including Athletic Therapy in Canadian health benefits

Mélanie Levac is Executive Director of the Canadian Athletic Therapists Association.

Over four in ten Canadians say they’ve been injured in a way that has kept them from being fully functional at work, at home, or at play, according to an Ipsos survey commissioned by the Canadian Athletic Therapists Association (CATA). That’s nearly 15 million people across the country.

Musculoskeletal (MSK) injuries cost Canada an estimated $30 billion annually in lost productivity, disability claims, and health-care spending. Behind those numbers are Canadians who cannot lift their children, perform their jobs, or participate fully in daily life because recovery takes too long or access to care is limited.

Most Canadians who are injured would prefer to avoid surgery — particularly given ongoing surgical backlogs. Many rely on pain medication for extended periods or pay out of pocket for therapy to regain mobility. Yet many extended health benefit plans still fail to cover one of the most effective, evidence-based forms of conservative MSK care: Athletic Therapy.

Certified Athletic Therapists specialize in assessment and return-to-function for people recovering from injury from concussions to joint replacements. Their work follows the sports medicine model of care, combining manual therapy, structured exercise, and prevention strategies to restore strength and mobility safely and efficiently.

Despite the name, Athletic Therapy is not limited to elite sport. It supports workers, parents, seniors, and public servants. It’s for anyone seeking to return to full function after injury.

Research consistently shows that early, active rehabilitation reduces long-term opioid use, lowers surgical rates for many common conditions, and shortens recovery time. Insurer data reinforce the economic implications: MSK injuries are the leading cause of disability claims, accounting for 21 per cent of claims and nearly half of unique claimants. The downstream costs to employers, insurers, and the public system are substantial.

Providing earlier access to conservative care improves outcomes and reduces costs. It also strengthens workforce participation — an issue of growing importance in Ottawa.

The federal public service employs more than 800,000 people, including pensioners, members of the Canadian Armed Forces, and veterans. At a time when discussions around contracting, workforce restructuring, and morale are ongoing, ensuring that employees have access to comprehensive, function-focused health benefits is not a peripheral matter. It is central to retention, engagement, and operational readiness.

In an Ipsos survey of roughly 1000 Canadians commissioned by the Canadian Athletic Therapists Association, large majorities of respondents expressed support for expanded coverage for Athletic Therapy and related benefits.

– 89 per cent said Athletic Therapy should be added to employer health insurance plans.

– 89 per cent support making Athletic Therapy eligible for the Medical Expense Tax Credit.

– 94 per cent said comprehensive benefits help employers attract and retain employees.

– 91 per cent believe helping people recover faster benefits the economy.

Canadians understand that recovery does not mean simply adapting to pain. It means restoring function.

CATA’s Move Freely. Live Fully. campaign calls on employers and governments to close these policy gaps. Benefit providers can include Athletic Therapy alongside other rehabilitation services. The federal government can demonstrate leadership by adding Athletic Therapy to the Public Service Health Care Plan and recognizing it under the Medical Expense Tax Credit.

Such changes do not require structural overhaul. In many cases, coverage can be introduced through straightforward discussions between employers and insurers, often within existing benefit frameworks. The result is greater flexibility for employees to choose the therapy that best supports their recovery.

Faster recovery reduces strain on family physicians, orthopedic specialists, and emergency departments. It shortens disability durations. It strengthens morale in workplaces where employees feel supported. And it supports economic participation at a time when productivity and labour force resilience are top national priorities.

We already know what works: early, active, evidence-based rehabilitation delivered by certified professionals. It is time for Canadian benefit plans and tax policy to reflect that reality.

When Canadians can move freely, they can live fully.