What Is Athletic Therapy?
Experience real relief from pain and injury with our athletic therapist Jenn Massingham
Athletic Therapy with Jenn Massingham is a comprehensive, hands-on approach to pain and injury, one that addresses the root cause, not just the symptoms. Drawing from over 15 years of experience working with high-performance athletes at Rowing Canada, and Rugby Canada, Jenn's treatments are designed to address not only the physical causes of pain and injury but also the emotional and mental factors that contribute to them.
Jenn's practice is built on a simple but powerful philosophy: ignite your body's own innate healing ability. Rooted in the biopsychosocial model of pain — which recognizes the complex interplay between biological, psychological, and social factors, Jenn's approach goes beyond treating symptoms. She takes the time to thoroughly understand each patient's unique story, using detailed history-taking and assessment skills to develop personalized treatment plans.
Every treatment plan is built around the individual and designed to integrate naturally into their daily life. Jenn's athletic therapy is strictly manual, no modalities, no machines. Whether you're a competitive athlete, a weekend warrior, or someone dealing with chronic pain that hasn't responded to other approaches, Jenn excels with complex, multifactorial injuries that other practitioners struggle to untangle.
Athletic Therapy Treatments
Athletic Therapy treatments integrate a variety of advanced techniques, including:
- Muscle Energy Techniques: Uses the muscle and nervous system to encourage an increase in joint mobility, ease of movement, decrease in pain, an dbring the body back to anatomical neutral.
- Craniosacral Therapy: Subtle manual therapy to regulate the nervous system and reduce tension. Jenn holds certifications in Craniosacral Therapy Levels 1 and 2, as well as Somatoemotional Release Level 1, making her one of the more deeply trained craniosacral practitioners in the Victoria area.
- Joint Mobilizations: Techniques to restore mobility and alleviate stiffness.
- Soft Tissue Massage: Targeted treatment to release tension, improve circulation, and support overall relaxation.
This unique blend of techniques not only improves range of motion and addresses dysfunctional patterns in the body, it also promotes emotional release and nervous system regulation. Jenn has worked in high-performance sport for 16 years and has seen the profound connection between physical tension, emotional well-being, and long-term performance. Her treatments aim to unlock the body's natural ability to increase the connection to oneself.
Common conditions Jenn treats include: hips, low back, and pelvis pain, neck pain and headaches, shoulder and elbow injuries, TMJ dysfucntion, motor vehcile related injuries, and complex or chronic pain with multiple contributing factors.
How Athletic Therapy Differs from Physiotherapy
Athletic therapy and physiotherapy share a foundation in musculoskeletal assessment, rehabilitation planning, and exercise prescription. Where Jenn's athletic therapy sets itself apart is in the approach: strictly hands-on manual therapy, no tools or electiral modalities, and an exercise prescription that is woven into the person's real life. The view of the body and injury is more holistic, and treatment goes deeper into the layers of complex pain to address the underlying root.
Pelvic Rehabilitation
Pelvic Rehabilitation is a dynamic exercise-based service that focuses on stability and strength training to help you return to your full activity. These sessions are targeted for anyone recovering from an injury, surgery, or childbirth, who are looking to build up their stability and strength to return to movement that fills them with joy. Jenn holds specialized training in Pregnancy Rehabilitation, Postpartum Rehabilitation, Pelvic Rehabilitation in Athletes, and Neuro Foundations, bringing a uniquely comprehensive perspective to pelvic health therapy in the Colwood and West Shore area.
Conditions often addressed through pelvic rehabilitation include pelvic floor dysfunction, postpartum recovery, hypermobility, and perimenopause-related musculoskeletal changes.
Concussion Management
Concussion management is one of Jenn's core specialties, and it's a comprehensive and detailed approach to returning you to full health after a head injury. This service is particularly valuable for athletes in the greater Victoria area who don't have a dedicated team therapist, and for anyone navigating the return-to-school, return-to-work, or return-to-sport process after a concussion. The assessment can be combined with athletic therapy treatments to maximize healing and return you to life sooner and healthier.
ICBC Motor Vehicle Accident Recovery
If you've been in a car accident, athletic therapy with Jenn is covered under ICBC. Jenn is registered with ICBC and bills under kinesiology, meaning up to 12 treatments are automatically funded in the first 12 weeks following a motor vehicle accident, with no need for pre-approval.
Athletic therapy covered by ICBC in Victoria covers a wide range of MVA-related injuries, including soft tissue injuries, whiplash, shoulder and hip dysfunction, and concussion recovery. If you've recently been in an accident and aren't sure where to start, Jenn can guide you through the process and begin treatment right away.
A Patient Story
One of Jenn's patients came in with severe shoulder pain that had taken over his daily life — he couldn't drive comfortably, couldn't pull the sheets off the bed, and had given up most of his yard work. Within three months of athletic therapy, he was driving without pain, managing household tasks comfortably, and back to the activities he loved.
Another patient had lived with chronic jaw pain for years, managing headaches, clicking, and grinding with regular Botox injections. Through athletic therapy, the headaches resolved, the clicking stopped, and the frequency and dosage of Botox needed has significantly decreased.
Does my insurance cover Athletic Therapy?
Insurance plans vary between employers so it is important to reach out to your HR department or insurance company to inquire if Athletic Therapy is covered. While some don’t, there is an uptick of companies choosing to cover athletic therapy as they see the benefits of athletic therpay treatments for their employees.
If you have any questions, please reach out to Jenn.
Rates for Athletic Therapy Services
Athletic Therapy
(including Pelvic Rehabiliation and Concussion Management)
Initial and Subsequent 1 horu appointments: $130
Subsequent 45 min: $100
Subsequent 30 min: $75
Crainiosacral Thearpy
Initial and Subsequent 1 horu appointments: $130
Atletic Therapy for an ICBC claim:
There is no user fee, the full cost is covered by ICBC.
Frequently Asked Questions
Your first session with Jenn includes a detailed history and orthopedic assessment to understand the full picture of your pain or injury. From there, Jenn builds a personalized treatment plan that addresses the root cause, not just the symptoms. Most patients receive hands-on treatment in their first visit.
Come and see Jenn. She is registered with ICBC and can see patients directly after a motor vehicle accident. Up to 12 treatments are automatically funded within the first 12 weeks, making it easy to start recovery quickly without navigating complex paperwork.
Jenn specializes in hip, low back, and pelvic pain, neck pain and headaches, shoulder and elbow injuries, concussion management, and complex chronic pain with multiple contributing factors. She also offers dedicated pelvic rehabilitation for postpartum recovery, perimenopause-related changes, and athletes.
Athletic therapy is a great fit if you're dealing with pain, injury, or movement limitations that are affecting your daily life or activity, and especially if previous treatment hasn't fully resolved the problem. Jenn works well with people who have complex or layered issues: multiple contributing factors, chronic pain, or injuries that don't fit a neat diagnosis. If you are unsure, the best first step is booking a free 15 minute call with Jenn to learn how athletic therapy can help you.
