Athletic Edge Sports Medicine's Blog
Being active is an important part of staying healthy, and participating in sports is one of the best ways to include healthy activity in your life – and have fun at the same time! When your body is strong, healthy and pain-free, enjoying sports is easy. But what if your suffering from pain robs you of that enjoyment? If you are suffering from back pain that prevents you from enjoying the sports you love, it might be time to consider chiropractic treatment.
A registered chiropractor at a sports medicine clinic can offer you the chiropractic treatment you need to get relief. Using a variety of techniques, including Active Release Technique, acupuncture, Graston technique and kinesiotaping, chiropractic treatment will help you deal with your chronic or acute back pain effectively by correcting misalignments in the spine to reduce pain and restore normal bodily function.
What do each of these techniques consist of and how do they work to get rid of your back pain?
Acupuncture: as a holistic form of chiropractic treatment, acupuncture works by stimulating the body’s central nervous system, releasing chemicals which work to influence biochemical changes and promote the body’s natural healing abilities. This improves overall well-being and helps heal pain caused by sports.
Active Release Technique: a patented soft tissue based massage technique, Active Release Technique treats chronic and acute back pain by applying pressure to the affected area and working to remove or break up the scar tissue build up that causes muscles to tighten and become painful. Active Release Technique is also effective at treating numerous other sports related ailments including carpel tunnel syndrome, shin splints, plantar fasciitis, tendonitis and sciatica.
Graston technique: an instrument-assisted form of soft tissue mobilization, Graston technique detects and treats areas of the body causing pain due to chronic inflammation by breaking down and separating scar tissues that restrict normal movement and function. It also works to increase blood flow and cellular activity.
Kinesiotaping: a sports taping method which uses strategically applied sports tape to muscles to reduce pain and inflammation. Rather than restricting movement by binding joints and muscles, kinesiotaping is non-restrictive, allowing for full range of motion while delivering muscle support.
Don’t play through the pain. If you are suffering from sports related back pain, try chiropractic treatment to assist your entire body and get back on the field.
For more information about chiropractic treatment including Active Release Technique, contact Athletic Edge Sports Medicine by calling 416-800-0800 or visit www.aesm.ca.
The 4th Annual Joe Carter Classic Celebrity Golf Tournament supporting the Children’s Aid Foundation, is right around the corner. Celebrities will be tee-off at Eagle’s Nest Golf Club in Maple on June 18th, having fun showing off their skills while raising money. But just because you and I may not been invited to play alongside the stars in that fundraiser doesn’t mean that we take our game any less seriously. And an important part of training and readying ourselves for the game means avoiding common golf injuries.
Most golfers, no matter their skill-level, are aware of some of the aches and pains that accompany the game. Back pain, shoulder pain or knee pain are the result of common golf injuries that stem from stance and swing. Repetition can lead to carpel tunnel syndrome; tennis elbow and golfer’s elbow are also common (although, ironically, tennis elbow is more common that golfer’s elbow). These golf injuries plague many players, so working to avoid them is crucial if you want to stay on the fairways.
How can you avoid common golf injuries and keep swinging? A golf injury prevention program offered by a sports injury clinic is always a good idea. Designed to address these kinds of issues before they arise, sports injury clinics offer you tips and advice helpful for keeping you in the game you love.
Don’t assume that a golf injury prevention program is just for avid golfers either. Whether you’ve just started playing or are an 18-hole veteran, the right golf injury prevention program will have been developed to work with all players, no matter their level of skill.
So, how will a golf injury prevention program address -and help you avoid – common golf injuries? By focusing on the fundamentals of golf, such as swing, grip and stance, the program will help you fix any snags in your game while helping you avoid future ones. These programs also target any underlying injuries which can seriously impact your game. Concentrating on flexibility, core strength and bio mechanics, as well as catering to your short and long term goals are also important aspects of a golf injury prevention program.
Not only will a golf injury prevention program help you avoid common golf injuries, it can also help you improve your game – another great reason to partake!
For more information about common golf injuries and how a golf injury prevention program can help keep you on the green, contact Athletic Edge Sports Medicine by calling 416-800-0800 or visit www.aesm.ca.
June 7th, 2013 marks the annual Relay For Life in Toronto West, held from at the Centennial Stadium. This event, held from 7pm to 7am the next day, involves teams participating in a non-competitive relay overnight, and raises funds for the Canadian Cancer Society. Whether you join a team with friends, family or co-workers, the Relay For Life is a great way to get out there and exercise, while having fun and raising money for an important cause.
While you’re organizing your team, don’t forget that this is a relay, so you’ll need to get in shape. And if you don’t plan on partaking in the Relay For Life, getting in shape with fitness training is still a good way to stay healthy for your own sake.
How does fitness training at a Toronto sports medicine clinic work? First, your current level of fitness is evaluated by a thorough fitness test, measuring strength, flexibility and cardiovascular fitness. Following this, a regimen and goals are created so you maximize results. In order to help you stay on track, a registered fitness trainer will be available to you for ongoing assistance and support.
Why choose fitness training from a Toronto sports medicine clinic? There are several reasons. One of the best for opting with fitness training at a Toronto sports medicine clinic is because of the support. Losing weight and getting in shape is tough no matter how you go about it, but if you want the support and motivation a knowledgeable sports medicine team brings, fitness training is the way to go. Working with an experienced fitness trainer gives you the guidance and inspiration to realize your fitness plan.
Fitness training with a trainer at a Toronto sports medicine clinic gives you customized service. Sure classes at the gym might work well for some people, but if you want fitness training that is unique to you and your goals, especially if you’ve found yourself unsuccessful overcoming specific challenges, then individual fitness training might be a better fit. This way, you can ensure your plan meets your body type and schedule.
Whether you’re prepping for the Toronto West Relay For Life, or just want to get in shape for yourself, fitness training from a Toronto sports medicine clinic may be your secret to leading you down the road to success. You don’t have to go it alone.
For more information about how fitness training from a Toronto sports medicine clinic can help you get in shape, contact Athletic Edge Sports Medicine by calling 416-800-0800 or visit www.aesm.ca.
With the US Open just around the corner, many golfers are thinking about tweaking their game. Players taking to the green in June know how to hit a ball. But a great deal of golf success involves golf fitness and avoiding golf injuries – after all, you can’t take home that million dollar purse if you’re not in top form.
While many of us don’t play at the same level as those competing in tournaments, it doesn’t mean we should settle for not being in good shape and prepared for a day on the course. Keeping that in mind, here are some important golf fitness tips to keep your body limber and your swing tight!
Golf fitness tip #1 – Notwithstanding the reiteration of what was hammered into our heads in elementary school (to stretch before partaking in any sport), remember that stretching before the game is crucial if you want to be on the top of your game while avoiding golf injuries. Exercises that will increase your power, mechanics and flexibility will help target every aspect of your golf game, allowing your body to warm up and stay sharp throughout the day.
Golf fitness tip #2 – Remember that just pre-game stretching is probably not going to cut it. Any smart golf fitness routine should involve some type of activity in the interim. If you only golf on Sunday afternoon, make sure that you are working out during the week. Too much downtime can cause golf injuries that are solely due to excessive inactivity between games. If you golf several times a week, chances are your game may be a little more competitive, so what better way to increase your power and stamina than by exercising your whole body on a regular basis.
Golf fitness tip #3 – Attend a golf injury prevention program. No matter what your level of skill, from beginner to professional, keeping golf injuries at bay is essential. One of the best ways to do this is by taking advantage of the knowledge and expertise of a sports medicine specialist, trained in treating injuries that can keep the clubs in your golf bag and you grounded in the clubhouse. Remember, it can be difficult to avoid injuries if you don’t know what causes them, so a golf injury prevention program can also help you improve you game by working through proper grip and swinging techniques.
Keep your body in top form throughout the entire golf season and keep the clubs in your hand instead of the bag. Golf fitness is very important, not only to avoid golf injuries but also for a strong, consistent game.
For more information about golf fitness or how to avoid golf injuries, contact Athletic Edge Sports Medicine by calling 416-800-0800 or visit www.aesm.ca.
The days are getting longer and the weather is getting warmer, so many are eyeing getting in shape for the summer. Getting in shape can be difficult, if not seemingly impossible for some, but with the right support and motivation it can be far easier than you think. Let a Toronto fitness trainer (someone who specializes in fitness training) show you the best – and healthiest – ways to get in shape for summer.
One of the first things you need to do before donning those spandex shorts and heading off to a session with a trainer is to have a fitness test. If you’re serious about getting in shape, and maximizing your relationship with a fitness trainer, you need to document your starting point in order to chart your course for progress. After all, you wouldn’t commit to buying a car before a test drive, so why commit to a workout routine unless you know it will be what’s best for your body? A fitness test at a sports medicine clinic uses various methods to test your physical fitness levels, to better gauge what type of fitness routine will prompt the greatest results for your body.
After your fitness test, your Toronto fitness trainer will use the results from your fitness test to consult with you and design a customized plan that sets realistic goals for reaching your full potential. Your personalized plan will include an exercise regimen that not only meets your needs realistically, but keeps the program at a comfortable pace you can follow. Depending on your own personal goals and preferences, this may include workouts at the gym or in your own home.
Worried about getting that initial plan in place only to fall behind shortly after implementing the routine? Don’t be. Just make sure that you find a sports medicine clinic that not only offers the initial fitness test and training session, but can also provide ongoing support from your certified fitness trainer. This way staying motivated won’t be a problem!
Want to start eating healthy at the same time? Find a sports injury clinic that offers nutritional counselling along with the fitness test and certified fitness trainer. Working with a registered dietician who can help you develop a smart, healthy, realistic meal plan is a great way to ramp up any fitness training plan.
Beat the heat as we head into the summer season by getting in shape now. Let a certified Toronto fitness trainer set you on the path to a healthy lifestyle.
For more information about scheduling a fitness test with a Toronto fitness trainer, contact Athletic Edge Sports Medicine by calling 416-800-0800 or visit www.aesm.ca.
On Sunday May 26th, The Cardiac Health Foundation of Canada will hold its annual Walk of Life at the Evergreen Brick Works in Toronto. The Walk of Life features a 3km and 5km walk, a 5km run, and a 1km family stroll. There are great prizes for runners with top time, a healthy breakfast before the event and a t-shirt for all participants. With summer just around the corner, this event promises to be a great one. Celebrate the launch of the season by getting out there with some friends in support of The Cardiac Health Foundation.
As you prepare for this event, as well as for your own summer running season, it’s best to ensure your body is in top form before stepping out onto the track. Those of us who enjoy running on a regular basis know though that pain can keep us from enjoying what we love. If you are a runner who faces the all too common foot pain that can accompany the sport, it’s time to take charge and get your life back!
So how can you get rid of the foot pain (or knee, back and hip pain) that often accompanies running? A sports injury clinic that specializes in all types of sporting injuries has the answer. Instead of suffering with pain, sitting out when you want to be up and at ‘em, combat those foot woes with custom made orthotics.
Ok, you might be wondering why you shouldn’t just go out and buy a generic pair of foot orthotics. Aren’t they the same? Are custom made orthotics really that much better? Think about it this way: a one-size-fits-all running shoe doesn’t exist for a reason. Running shoe types vary considerably in order to meet the needs and goals of each runner. So why then, would you want a one-size-fits-all orthotic? Hmmm, well, you probably wouldn’t.
So how do custom made orthotics created by a sports injury clinic differ? It all starts with a consultation to assess your pain and complete a computerized gait analysis. This helps establish what kind of custom made orthotics you need. Rather than a standard pair of orthotics, custom made orthotics target specific, individual pain, and correct it.
Just as with any sport, having the right equipment helps put you at the top of your game. Custom made orthotics are essential equipment for many runners, so it’s important to visit a sports injury clinic to have your pain assessed and see if these are right for you. What better way to deal with a sports injury than to have it treated by an expert who specializes in sports related injuries?
For more information about custom made orthotics, or to schedule your gait analysis, contact Athletic Edge Sports Medicine by calling 416-800-0800 or visit www.aesm.ca.
When you are active your body thrives being in good shape. Being fit is part of a healthy lifestyle, so being on the field or track can make fitness even more enjoyable. But if you suffer from osteoarthritis of the knee, a very common but painful condition for athletes, you know that days spent enjoying your favourite sport can be a little less gratifying with osteoarthritis of the knee dogging you. Osteoarthritis knee pain that bothers you before, during, and after a game, can take a lot of the fun out of it.
What is osteoarthritis of the knee? Osteoarthritis of the knee is a degenerative disease that affects the knee joint, with symptoms ranging from general knee pain, stiffness, decreased range of motion, and muscle weakness. The pain is localized in the knee, making movement difficult.
There are several causes of osteoarthritis knee pain, but the most common often relate to sports. These include trauma to the knee, injuries of the knee joint, a patellar dislocation or patella fracture, or just general wear and tear. Genetic factors can also play a role (i.e. arthritis), as can obesity.
There are a number of different treatment options available for osteoarthritis knee pain sufferers, some are less invasive then others. Hyaluronic acid injections are one of the less invasive forms of treatment of osteoarthritis knee pain. This non-surgical approach to treating osteoarthritis knee pain is fast and effective, resulting in less downtime for recovery and results that get you back in the game that much quicker.
What are hyaluronic acid injections? Also called viscosupplementation injections, hyaluronic acid injections involve the injection of hyaluronic acid into the knee joint. Hyaluronic acid is a naturally occurring substance that is already present in the human body. It works to lubricate the joints, making movement easy and painless. It also provides shock absorption to the knee joint. By injecting hyaluronic acid into the knee joint, hyaluronic acid injections help to promote the production of this substance, making movement more smooth and manageable.
A sports therapy clinic is a great place to seek relief from your osteoarthritis knee pain. Using hyaluronic acid injections in conjunction with other forms of osteoarthritis treatment (massage or physical therapy, custom knee bracing) may speed up your osteoarthritis knee pain recovery time.
Don’t let osteoarthritis knee pain keep you from being fit and enjoying your favourite sports. If you have tried other treatments with little success, hyaluronic acid injections could be the answer to your knee pain.
For more information about hyaluronic acid injections to combat osteoarthritis knee pain, contact Athletic Edge Sports Medicine by calling 416-800-0800 or visit www.aesm.ca.
Anyone who runs on a regular basis, whether to keep fit or relieve stress, knows that staying injury free is crucial in order to continue your routine. Most runners are aware of the risks that can accompany running, but with running season in full swing it’s a great time to remind you of some of the causes of the most common running injuries. Knowledge is power and knowing the causes of common running injuries will help you to avoid them.
Top 5 common running injuries:
- Runner’s knee – a very common running injury, usually attributed to overuse. Over time, with regular activity, the cartilage in the kneecap begins to wear down, causing considerable pain.
- Plantar fasciitis – an inflammation of the tissues in the bottom of the foot that connect the heel with the toes. There are a number of different causes, but increased activity or strain on the foot muscles are very common causes for runners.
- Shin splints – pain in the front inside of the shin bone. These are often the result of a change in your running routine where you’ve denied your body the proper prep. Even subtle changes like increasing the distance of your run or the number of days that you run can lead to shin splints.
- Achilles tendinitis – inflammation of the Achilles tendon. Symptoms include pain and stiffness, and the development of the condition is often a result of repetitive stress on the tendon due to changes in your routine.
- Ankle sprains – caused by the stretching or tearing of the muscles around the ankle. Injuries, such as twisting or falling on the ankle, can cause these sprains.
How can you avoid these, and other common running injuries? One of the best ways to avoid an injury, especially a sports related one, is to educate yourself. What better way to do this than by attending a running injury clinic? A running injury clinic hosted by a sports medicine clinic can give you the right tools to help you plan your running routine. One of the greatest assets to a session like this involves helping you understand how to better avoid common running injuries.
Running injury clinic tips:
- Plan: don’t just head out there every day and run a different track and expect your body to react well. Make sure that you set a plan for yourself where changes in routine are given appropriate periods of time to adjust. Planning a session with a trainer for an assessment is also a smart idea.
- Equip: those decade old running shoes are probably not going to offer the support you need to keep common running injuries at bay, so attend a running clinic to learn what types of footwear will best suit your individual needs.
- Stretch: prepping your body before any run is critical to getting it primed. A running injury clinic can help you discover the pre and post-run stretches that will help you avoid the pain of a running injury.
- Listen: never ignore your body. If it is in pain, don’t ignore it – chances are pain isn’t going to just go away, and could get worse. There are many different treatment options available to treat running injuries, so attend a sports injury clinic to have running injuries looked at right away.
For more information about how to avoid common running injuries or to find out more about our running injury clinic, contact Athletic Edge Sports Medicine by calling 416-800-0800 or visit www.aesm.ca.
With spring upon us, it’s time to get back outside and enjoy our favourite sport. Be it running, volleyball, soccer, or golf – or all of them – exercising pain-free isn’t too much to ask. But what if you suffer from plantar fasciitis?
Plantar fasciitis is inflammation of the tissues at the bottom of the foot. These tissues connect the heel bone to the toes. It occurs when those tissues are overused (overstretched), causing the muscles to tighten and become quite painful. This is often impacts the most seasoned long-distance runners. Another cause of plantar fasciitis is sudden weight gain (which puts added pressure on the tissues). The pain is often constant, and can even make the simplest tasks, such as walking, very difficult.
If you think that you may have plantar fasciitis.
there are plantar fasciitis treatments available, including treatment options that don’t involve invasive surgical procedures. Invasive procedures like surgery to remedy plantar fasciitis can keep you off of your feet for weeks. If you suffer from the pain caused by plantar fasciitis, you don’t have to suffer through it. One really great plantar fasciitis treatment is Sonocur shockwave therapy.
What is shockwave therapy? Sonocur shockwave therapy is a high-tech, non-invasive form of treatment delivering low-energy sound waves to the affected area, helping to encourage the growth of new blood vessels and break down scar tissue. The procedure is pain-free, and does not require any anesthesia – just sit back and relax and let the doctor work his or her magic.
A major benefit to electing shockwave therapy as a plantar fasciitis treatment is the amount of time saved. Instead of requiring extensive downtime, this treatment, covered over a period of weeks, affords immediate relief, letting you get back out there right away – no recovery time needed!
Sonocur therapy isn’t just for plantar fasciitis since it works on way more than just feet. Sonocur shockwave therapy can also help with these other conditions: jumper’s knee and runner’s knee, tendonitis (rotator cuff, biceps, quadriceps, Achilles), tennis elbow and golfer’s elbow. Many of these conditions can keep you from the field or the track due to pain caused while trying to partake. Shockwave therapy can get you back out there straight away.
If you are suffering from foot pain, don’t ignore it. Sonocur shockwave therapy is a proven effective plantar fasciitis treatment that will help you get back in the game.
For more information about shockwave therapy, contact Athletic Edge Sports Medicine by calling 416-800-0800 or visit www.aesm.ca.
Sunday April 21st marks the 10th anniversary of the Canadian Running Series Foundation Charity Challenge, supporting such charities as the Canadian Cancer Foundation, the Asperger’s Society of Ontario and Kids Up Front. This 10km run attracts participants from across the province that competes for their favourite charity, many of them dressing up as part of the costume contest. You’d better get ready!
Whether you’re a runner who competes in marathons on a regular basis or just like to take a quick jog around the park every day, you know that running can sometimes lead to injuries that put pressure on your body and make your routine uncomfortable. Even worse, if left untreated, such aches, pains, sprains and strains can end up taking you out of commission for extended periods of time. If these minor injuries are keeping you off of the track, it might be time to get some relief.
Active Release Technique therapy is a specialized form of massage therapy that uses advanced massage techniques to treat a number of sports related (and even some un-related) aches and pains. It is a soft tissue system/movement based technique of massage that works to treat problems associated with muscles, ligaments and nerves. Headaches, carpel tunnel syndrome, shoulder and back pain and knee problems are just some of the conditions that Active Release Technique can treat. This form of therapy can also help you deal with issues such as weakness in your muscles and an inhibited range of motion, which, although perhaps not painful, can make your run less enjoyable as it can restrict you.
So how does Active Release therapy work? Using over 500 unique movements, your trained massage therapist will work with you to deal with the pain caused by overuse or a sports injury. Using different motions, and applying hand pressure to the affected areas, your massage therapist will work to remove or break up the fibrous adhesions that can tighten muscles and increase blood flow and release trapped nerves. Together, this will help increase movement and ease pain caused by overuse or other sports related injuries.
Remember: a running injury clinic at a sports therapy clinic is also a smart way to avoid these injuries before they occur. Having a pre-season assessment done will help notify you of problem areas and how to deal with them. Running can be hard on your body, and so prep is just as important as treatment.
If you’re getting ready to run in the CRS Charity Challenge, or just want to get some relief from your sports related aches and pains, visiting a sports therapy clinic for an Active Release Technique massage could be the solution.
To learn more about how Active Technique Release can help ease your sports aches and pains, contact Athletic Edge Sports Medicine by calling 416-800-0800 or visit www.aesm.ca