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Ahh the joy of joints…they bend, they move…and sometimes they hurt.
If you suffer from joint pain you are not alone. Joint pain is actually so common it affects hundreds of thousands of people throughout Canada. There are many causes of joint pain, with the two most common being: injury, and disease of the joint (or of the tissues that surround the joint). But, identifying joint pain is trickier than it sounds as you need to first truly determine if the pain you’re experiencing is actually in the joint.
Joints, by definition, are areas where two bones meet to provide motion to a particular body part, for instance: knees, ankles, elbows, shoulders, hips and wrists. The essential stuff (!) But joints are separated by cartilage and ligaments that attach the bones around the joint. Then there are tendons that helpfully attach muscle to the bone around the joint. The problem is: cartilage, ligaments and tendons are ALL also prone to injury, so the sensation of pain in the joint region does not automatically mean you have injured the joint itself. If you self-diagnose and try and treat the area the
wrong way, you won’t be solving the problem.
The causes of true joint pain are most frequently linked to disease, such as arthritis. This used to be thought of as something our grandparents would get however that myth is quickly being corrected, as arthritis is one of the most common joint diseases today in people of various ages. The word arthritis actually means “joint inflammation”, and there are over 100 different types of arthritis. Osteoarthritis is very common and causes joint pain.
At about this point many folks reading this who suffer from joint pain or pain in a joint area are starting to wonder “do I have osteoarthritis?” Good question. Here’s what we can tell you:
Osteoarthritis is a “non-inflammatory” type of arthritis, which means that inflammation is not the primary concern. The most worrisome – although predictable – component to osteoarthritis is its degenerative nature. Because osteoarthritis is caused over time by continual wear and tear of the joint (which is bound to happen in one’s lifetime someway, somehow) it becomes most prevalent in men and women over the age of 45. The repetitive wear and tear is also a major reason why so many athletes (famous for overusing joints that are key excelling in the sport to which they are committed) are affected by osteoarthritis.
Osteoarthritis is a disease that develops over time, when the cartilage in the joint begins to break down, commonly during the aging process. Osteoarthritis can also appear as a result of injury or infection to the joint, or as a result of a simple case of weak genetics. Obesity and weight are also blamed for contributing to osteoarthritis since the greater a person’s weight, the greater the strain put on his or her joints.
Osteoarthritis usually affects weight bearing joints like the knee.
Some of the symptoms of osteoarthritis include: aches, pains, stiffness, enlargement and/or swelling. Osteoarthritis sufferers often report one or more of these symptoms in the joint, which may occur when performing every day functions such as walking up the stairs, sitting or standing, and lifting objects around the house. Pain in the joint may not be experienced directly in the joint. Pain in the knee, thigh or groin could in fact be caused by osteoarthritis in the hip.
Physicians who specialize in sports medicine often are experts in osteoarthritis, since the athletes are some of the most vulnerable to developing it. They will review your medical history and perform imaging or lab tests to diagnose with certainty whether you do, in fact, have osteoarthritis. Seeking help for your osteoarthritis will help you reduce or eliminate symptoms, which in turn will significantly improve your overall quality of life. Why would you wait?
For more information about the causes of joint pain or to find out if you have osteoarthritis please call 416-800-0800 or visit www.aesm.ca today.
A torn ACL sounds like a mystery – unless you’ve ever had one. Described by those unfortunate to be stricken by one as “a loud popping sound followed by an intense and sharp pain in the knee”, a torn ACL usually happens in an abrupt movement or sport, like shifting directions, weaving around guards while moving a basketball down court. Shortly after tearing an ACL the knee joint will begin to swell, making it very difficult to straighten the leg or even walk. ACL tears happen more frequently than you think. If you feel you may have injured your ACL take heart, you will heal, but not without some help. Read on.
The Anterior Cruciate Ligament is actually one of the most important ligaments to the human body. Found behind the knee cap, extending through the middle of the knee joint between the shinbone and the thigh bone, this vital ligament prevents your thighbone from sliding backwards onto your tibia and also stabilizes the knee, preventing it from rotating.
ACL injuries are very common in athletes, but aren’t restricted to them. People that would describe themselves as simply “very active” can also experience an ACL tear. High impact movement or contact sports such as hockey, football, soccer, and asketball are where many ACL injuries happen. Sports like these – involving abrupt stopping and starting, or frequent jumping – are just the kind of thing that can put enough momentum and pressure on the knee joint which causes the ACL to tear.
A torn ACL is considered an acute injury. If you’ve ever had one you’ll agree! Tears to the Anterior Cruciate Ligament happen most often during rapid, sudden movement. So it makes sense that the injury itself also happens suddenly.
If you are at all suspicious that you may have a torn ACL, do not put any weight on that leg and certainly do not continue the physical activity that you were involved in when the injury occurred.
When you suffer from a torn ACL, the pain is considerable if not extreme. To immediately reduce the knee from swelling, and slightly manage the pain, elevate and ice the area. Immediate rest is the most important step you can take towards healing. Rest will not only help you heal more quickly but also help you to ensure that you prevent further injury both before and after treatment – something you will wholeheartedly want to avoid!
ACL injuries are equal-opportunists – they are not age specific. People young and old can – without warning – end up with a torn ACL, though teens and young adults remain the demographic most frequently injured by them.
Where your age plays a major role in ACL injury is in the treatment and recovery. Most ACL injuries require surgery, and a knee that’s still growing is treated differently than one that isn’t, which in turn dictates the type of ACL surgery performed. Custom knee bracing and ongoing physical therapy will also be a part of the full recovery of a torn ACL.
Once your ACL surgery has been performed, the knee needs stability and rest. Be patient. We can’t overemphasize how key to recovery patience through rest is. Recovery from this kind of physical injury, and surgery required to mend it, takes time. Trying to rush the healing process will not work, so commit early on to giving your ACL an ample period to recover without aggravation.
Rehabilitation “rehab” from a torn ACL involves medically supervised physical therapy, several times a week. Your physical therapist will guide you through important exercises that you can do at home. Athletes often speed up their ACL-tear recovery time through an accelerated program that involves more frequent therapy. Rehab also reduces pain, controls swelling and restores the knee’s full range of motion, balance and overall strength. If you play your cards right you will, one day, feel like new….
If you would like more information about recovering from an ACL injury please call 416-800-0800 or visit www.aesm.ca today.
You are invited to attend the:
LIVE LEAN Weight Management Program - OPEN HOUSE!
Tuesday, March 6th, 2012 from 6:00 - 8:00 PM
Location:
Simcoe Place at 200 Front Street W, concourse level, Toronto, ON, M5V-3K2
Join us on March 6th to learn more about the LIVE LEAN Weight Management Program starting on March 20th and to enter a draw for your chance to take this 12-week NUTRITION AND FITNESS program for FREE!
Register now! Space is limited. Call 416 800 0800 to reserve your spot!
Program Description: LIVE LEAN offers a complete and permanent weight loss solution through a unique combination of nutrition, fitness, behavior and lifestyle strategies. Developed and led by Registered Dietitian, Stefanie Senior and Certified Fitness Trainer and Kinesiologist, Trina Lambe, this 12-week program will EDUCATE, GUIDE and EMPOWER you to make positive changes to your life and help you to reach your nutrition, fitness and weight loss goals.
Visit our website for program details: http://www.aesm.ca/live-lean-program/
Check your health benefits plan! LIVE LEAN falls under Registered Dietitian services.
Call 416 800 0800 to register or to book your FREE 15 minute consultation with Stefanie Senior, RD to help you determine if LIVE LEAN is right for you!
We hope to hear from you!
Stefanie Senior, Registered Dietitian
121 King Street West, Suite 1100
Toronto, Ontario, M5H 3T9
Phone: 416 800 0800
Fax: 416 800 0802
Email: stefanie@aesm.ca
Website: www.aesm.ca
Sports therapy clinics, also known as sports medicine clinics, are clinics that specialize in sports medicine. Sports medicine clinics offer physical therapy but also a host of other services that cater to sports injuries and conditions.
Why do athletes use sports therapy clinics? Sports therapy clinics don’t just treat the injured. They also focus on preventative medicine and education to help the athletes avoid injury altogether. Typically sports injury clinics will specialize in injuries or conditions that affect the head, spine, neck, shoulder, elbow, forearm, hip, pelvis, knee, leg, ankle and foot.
Common injuries treated at sports therapy clinics include concussions, osteoporosis, fractures, sprains, herniated disks, chronic instability in bones and joints, dislocations, rotator cuff tears, joint tears, burners and stingers, tendon dysfunction, muscle strains, injuries to the ACL, MCL, or PCL, torn cartilage, pulled hamstrings and more.
Sports therapy clinics also typically treat conditions such as; arthritis, osteoarthritis, plantar fasciitis lumbar spinal stenosis, scoliosis, spondylolisthesis, tendinitis, bursitis, thoracic outlet syndrome, tennis elbow, femoroacetabular impingement, burning thighs, discoid meniscus, runners knee, osteonecrosis, adult flat foot, clubfoot, bone spurs, tendon dysfunction, sesamoiditis, claw toe and more.
Many conditions treated in sports therapy clinics affect hundreds of thousands of non- athletes as well. Osteoarthritis is a prime example. Osteoarthritis affects a large percentage of the aging population because it is a condition where the cartilage inside the joints breaks down over time as a result of ongoing wear and tear. Torn ACL’s are very common in teens and young adults and can occur as a result of merely horsing around too roughly. Non-athletes who suffer a sports injury are best served to seek treatment at a sports therapy clinic because they offer advanced treatment that may not be available in a traditional physical therapy clinic.
A good sports therapy clinic will provide a multi-disciplinary medical team. When choosing sports therapy clinic you should choose one with access to:
1. A primary care Physician. One who can come up with an all-encompassing treatment plan for your injury or condition.
2. Physical Therapists who work with patients to improve physical conditioning and joint function.
3. Dieticians to work with patients to control health, nutrition and weight.
4. Occupational Therapists who educate patients on how to minimize pain and protect themselves from further injury while at home.
5. Rheumatologists who specialize in treatment of arthritis and osteoarthritis.
6. Physiatrists whose primary focus is on physical rehabilitation.
7. Social Workers who help patients to deal with social challenges like home health care and other needs to support a medical condition.
8. Psychologists who help patients cope with the emotional difficulties that result from medical conditions (e.g. loss of sleep, depression, anxiety).
9. Orthopedists who provide surgical treatment of bone and joint diseases.
10. Licensed Acupuncture Therapists and more.
When selecting a sports therapy clinic do some research. Visit their website and read about their services. If you are an athlete, ensure that they offer a wide range of services and are reputed in the industry. Look for evidence of client testimonials and pay attention to well known brands where there is an affiliation. This will ensure that you establish a long term relationship with a sports therapy clinic that is able to address all of your needs whether you are injured or not.
For more information about sports therapy clinics or to book a consultation with our team please call 416-800-0800 or visit www.aesm.ca today.
Plantar Faciitis: tricky to say and extremely unpleasant to experience! Pronounced PLAN-tar fah-cee-EYE-tis, this foot condition specifically refers to the bottom of the foot. Fascia – Latin for the tough, fibrous outer casting of muscle – becomes irritated and inflamed making it painful to walk. If caught early Plantar Faciitis is easier to remedy than if you wait until it becomes chronic. This painful, annoying condition frequently affects athletes, among them Kobe Bryant who learned in 2004 that Plantar Faciitis was the cause of his foot pain.
Kobe Bryant is not alone. Tim Duncan of the San Antonio Spurs and tennis player Pete Sampras were also reported to have suffered from Plantar Fasciitis. In May of 2011, Sports Illustrated reported that Scott Podsednik of the Toronto Blue Jays was working diligently towards a full recovery from his plantar fasciitis. Though athletes like these have faced treatment for Plantar Faciitis, it’s actually a condition that most frequently plagues runners.
So, why are athletes so susceptible to this kind of foot pain? To answer this question first you must understand what Plantar Fasciitis is. This extremely painful inflammation occurs in the connective tissue (fascia) at the bottom of the foot (plantar). The Plantar Fascia is a band of connective tissue that begins at the bottom of the heel bone and extends along the bottom of the foot to the toes. This muscle also helps support the arch of the foot, though pain is often first felt in the heel.
Plantar Fasciitis seems to strike most after long periods of putting weight on one’s feet. Athletes are more prone to Plantar Fasciitis because of the stress and tension placed on the Plantar Fascia when running long distances or putting repetitive stress on the heel. Sports like basketball tend to invite the condition since athletes are constantly jumping and pounding down on the heel, but really, any sport or activity where that part of the foot is being used extensively increases the odds of developing Plantar Fasciitis.
That said, even non-athletes who develop Plantar Fasciitis have often put excessive weight on the foot either as a result of obesity, sudden weight gain, prolonged standing, Osteoarthritis and/or Rheumatoid Arthritis and wearing shoes with poor support (and sigh…have you ever noticed that some of the best looking shoes are the ones with poor support?!)
People who suffer from Plantar Fasciitis sometimes describe the feeling as a hot, sharp sensation in the heel, often experienced first thing in the morning which dissipates as the day wears on. This ebb and flow of the pain might explain why it’s often tempting to procrastinate giving this condition the attention it needs. What’s more, the pain associated with it can be felt most intensely after a period of rest. So what is a sufferer to do???
Well, there are a number different treatment options. Since Plantar Fasciitis is so common in athletes, sports therapy clinics often offer the most comprehensive selection of choices available. These can include stretching exercises, massage, physical therapy, anti-inflammatory medications and preventative programs. The most popular treatment for Plantar Fasciitis, by far, is custom foot orthotics.
A custom foot orthotic stabilizes the foot, provides arch support, absorbs shock and cushions the heel. Custom foot orthotics are far superior to over the counter orthotics that are much less expensive since these custom inserts are manufactured based on your foot’s shape and where most of your weight lands on it. These are usually made by a physical therapy clinic that specializes in sports medicine.
Several hundred years ago both athletes of the day and every regular Joe had to just suffer through Plantar Fasciitis. But no more, thanks to modern medical advancement! Seeking a medical opinion has, for many, offered a first successful step towards resolving an annoying and painful Plantar Fasciitis problem.
For more information about foot pain caused by Plantar Fasciitis along with treatment options please call 416-800-0800 or visit www.aesm.ca
A Valentine’s Day Gift that Keeps on Giving!
Therapeutic Couples Massage with Training
This package includes:
1. A 30 min. massage by our massage therapist, for each partner
2. A 30 min. training session to teach couples how to massage one another
3. Plus a FREE gift – massage tool and massage oil
Rejuvenate your relationship this Valentine’s Day with a gift,
that will be sure to please.
Call 416-800-0800 for more information
***individual massage gift certificates are also available***
