Tag Archives: physical therapy
Basketball is a celebrated sport that people from all ages and walks of life enjoy. The roots of basketball hail from Canada and the small Ontario town of Almonte. Here, in 1891, the game was invented by Dr. James Naismith. Mere hours from Almonte, Toronto is filled with basketball lovers who are both die-hard Toronto Raptors fans and active basketball players. Basketball is a great way to stay healthy and in shape. It’s also a wonderful way to enjoy leisure time, and even raise money to support Toronto communities. Bay Street Hoops League Basketball is a charity basketball tournament that does just that.
Through the Bay Street Hoops charity, lawyers, accountants and other financial service professionals participate in one of Toronto’s largest sports charities. In the past 15 years, The Bay Street Hoops Charity has raised over $2,000,000 for Toronto children and youth charities supporting Toronto communities.
Basketball is not only a competitive sport but also an excellent form of exercise and stress-release, as many executives who play basketball know. Because basketball is a fast-paced sport, it can present risks for minor and major sport injuries. It is important to be physically prepared before you play, and to exercise caution while on the court to reduce the likelihood of injury.
Here are some basketball “Do’s” and “Don’ts” to help you play a safer game:
• There is a reason professional basketball players wear high-necked running shoes: they provide much needed ankle support. Ankle injuries are very common in basketball so this kind of footwear is a must.
• Exercise will also condition your body to play basketball without injury. Core stability training, cardio training and a non-aerobic cardio program are all recommended.
• Dynamic stretching that includes sport specific drills will stretch out muscles and is ideal both before and after you hit the basketball court.
• Hydration is also very important as dehydration can have potentially dangerous outcomes. You’ll often see pros drinking plenty of fluids during the game, sipping on their bottles of water, Gatorade and Powerade.
• Static stretching prior to a game or practice is recommended
• Do not play through pain. If you begin experiencing pain at any point, stop playing right away because you may have an injury which will be further aggravated without immediate rest. If you already have a previous injury, resist temptation to resume playing basketball pre-maturely. Make sure a clinician has given you clearance for shooting hoops again.
Even the most seasoned basketball players get injured from time to time. Most basketball injuries can be treated through physical therapy and rehabilitation. If you think you may have injured yourself while playing basketball you may want to seek medical attention. Sports therapy clinics are medical facilities that treat people with sports injuries. While you may think that only professional athletes are treated by sports therapy clinics, this is certainly not the case. Many people who play basketball on a casual basis find relief and assistance through a sports therapy clinic. If you love to play sports like basketball, having a good sports therapy clinic in your back pocket is wise. It can offer you advice about nutrition and other important factors that will ensure that you have a safe and enjoyable athletic experience. And if and when you do suffer a sports injury, you have somewhere to turn to for help.
For more information about how you can enjoy playing basketball safely, or if you have a basketball injury needing attention, call Athletic Edge Sports Medicine at 416-800-0800 or visit www.aesm.ca
Police throughout North America deserve kudos for their commitment to keeping us safe. While a myriad of events help make Toronto famous, it’s our police that oversee each of them and ensure we enjoy them safely. Police are an essential part of the fabric of our community.
For the past 32 years The North American Police Soccer Tournament has raised money for charities in need. Each year The North American Police Soccer Tournament organizers select a truly needy charity for which they will raise funds. This year, Kidsport Ontario will be the beneficiary of The 2012 North American Police Soccer Tournament proceeds. Kidsport Ontario is a charity that provides financial assistance to kids across Ontario for registration fees and equipment. Their mission is ensuring children can be active and engaged in sports even without the financial means to do so.
This year’s Toronto North American Police Soccer Tournament is slated for September 5th – 7th. Over 30 police agencies will be participating, and you can offer support by attending and cheering teams on! Remember, the North American Police Soccer Tournament raises money for a very worthwhile cause. And it’s a lot of fun to watch, as many around the world know.
Soccer’s worldwide appeal is undeniable. Physical, financially affordable, strategic, fast-paced…what’s not to love? But any physical game presents risks for being injured, whether you’re a police officer in the North American Police Soccer Tournament or just a casual soccer player enjoying a game in the park. It’s wise to be aware of common soccer injuries so that you can try to avoid them, identify them if one happens to you and know when and how to seek treatment.
Some of the most common soccer injuries or conditions plaguing soccer players include ankle sprains, tendonitis, concussions, pulled hamstrings, muscle cramps, blisters, plantar fasciitis, shin splints, stress fractures, strains and sprains, knee injuries like a torn ACL and torn knee cartilage and more. Sure seems like a long list, doesn’t it?! Recognizing that soccer is a very physical, quickly paced sport will help you understand why. Typically, common soccer injuries fall into one of two groups: cumulative or acute.
Common soccer injuries of a cumulative nature occur as the result of overuse of the joints, muscles and soft tissues repeatedly over time. What begins as a small re-occurring ache or pain can grow into a serious injury or condition if it is not treated.
Common soccer injuries that are acute happen from sudden impact or force. Acute injury pain can usually be felt immediately.
To avoid these kinds of common soccer injuries, basic measures can be taken: warm up before you play, use protective equipment, employ safe techniques for play, check the field before you play, play in proper weather conditions, stay hydrated and stretch afterwards. If you’re injured take time to rest and seek treatment for a full recovery before returning to the field.
Common soccer injuries can often be treated through physical therapy and rehabilitation, which is covered under most health plans.
For more information about treating common soccer injuries that are both painful and annoying, contact Athletic Edge Sports Medicine at 416-800-0800 or visit www.aesm.ca
There’s nothing like the recent wonderful warm weather to rev Toronto-area volleyball players into high-gear for the 2012 volleyball season. Die-hard volleyball players can already be seen serving, bumping and spiking at popular area beaches like Kew Beach.
Volleyball is one of Canada’s most popular sports. Over 800,000 Canadians of all ages play volleyball regularly. Toronto boasts one of the words largest volleyball communities. Volleyball is an affordable way to participate in a team sport and get some exercise regardless of skill level.
H.O.P.E. (Helping Other People Everywhere) Toronto Inc. raises funds to support charities that don’t already benefit from significant public funding.
This year H.O.P.E will be hosting their 24th annual Volleyball Tournament. Teams are formed throughout the GTA – many of them annually – and the event offers a lot of fun, exercise and a great sense of community. In addition, the H.O.P.E Volleyball Tournament takes place on Toronto’s Centre Island. Even getting there by ferry is fun and you can conveniently do so at Toronto’s Harbourfront. You don’t have to be an expert to play or enjoy the day, as the event welcomes people of all ages and skill levels. Registration is easy and convenient on the H.O.P.E Volleyball Tournament website.
Like any sport, merely jumping in cold can pose regrettable risks to the body. Conditioning and preparation can ensure an injury free and fully enjoyable experience. To improve your endurance and beef-up your physical condition, consider aerobic exercises which will increase endurance, alertness and improve muscle strength by tournament time. Muscle flexibility is vital for volleyball so warming up and stretching are both essential. Muscle flexibility will also help you increase your anaerobic speed and execution of play on the volleyball court (or beach).
Because of the sudden movements associated with the sport, many volleyball players experience sports injuries at some point. Volleyball involves jumping, lunging and sliding, although fun, can be the perfect recipe for an injury to occur. Common volleyball injuries include hand injuries, tendonitis in the knee and ankle sprains. Wearing guards and knee pads in addition to conditioning and stretching are part of regular volleyball philosophy. If you are injured, however, don’t panic. While painful and inconvenient, all of these injuries can be treated through physical therapy and rehabilitation.
A qualified sports therapy clinic can help you develop a plan to recover from your injury, often in a much shorter time than merely waiting for the injury to heal itself – which it may not. Sports therapy clinics offer multidisciplinary teams of professionals whose sole focus is to treat sports injuries. This specialized treatment is your best chance at a speedy recovery.
The benefits of volleyball far outweigh the risks, and the H.O.P.E Volleyball Tournament on Centre Island provides you and your team with a full day of fun in the sun. The very BEST payback of this fantastic day is seeing how the collective efforts of participants raise impressive amounts of money for a very worthy cause. It’s truly a win-win kind of day.
If you are a volleyball player who has suffered a sports injury and would also like information about safely conditioning for volleyball or an event like the H.O.P.E Volleyball Tournament on Centre Island, contact Athletic Edge Sports Medicine at 416-800-0800 or visit www.aesm.ca.
Osteoarthritis sufferers already know just how painful and inconvenient it can be. Simple acts such as getting in and out of your car or opening a jar can be surprisingly challenging, and the pain, swelling and stiffness in the joints: can be debilitating. Osteoarthritis generally affects individuals after the age of 45 but is also common in athletes who are younger. As a disease of the joints where the cartilage in the joint begins to break down over time, Osteoarthritis typically affects the hips, knees, hands and feet. Since cartilage in the joint cannot heal itself, those who suffer from Osteoarthritis benefit from treatment once symptoms present themselves.
There are a number of surgical and non-surgical treatment options for Osteoarthritis sufferers.
Surgical treatment of Osteoarthritis may include:
- Joint replacement
- Bone realignment also known as osteotomy
- The fusing of bones
- Arthroscopy and debridement which involves the cleaning out of bone and cartilage fragments that may be the cause of pain and inflammation. There is some scientific evidence, however, that this sort of surgery may not give people any material relief in the long term.
Surgery can seem invasive; therefore many Osteoarthritis sufferers prefer non-surgical treatments for relief from Osteoarthritis. These are also quite effective. Non-surgical treatment options for Osteoarthritis include:
- Hot and Cold Therapy
- Medication that relieves pain and inflammation
- Physical therapy
- Weight reduction
- Targeted Exercise, such as that prescribed by a physiotherapist
- Assistive devices such as custom foot orthotics and custom knee bracing
- Durolane injections
Durolane injections have become very popular as an alternative treatment for Osteoarthritis and involve injections directly into the joint affected. Durolane is a gel that contains hyaluronic acid that lubricates joints. This improves joint-function and range of motion. Durolane’s cushioning of the joints also brings pain relief to Osteoarthritis sufferers. These injections are quick to administer and are an innovative drug- free alternative treatment.
As Durolane injections target the affected body part, they may also offer long term relief by helping to delay or reduce the need for hip or knee replacement. So starting on injections early in the course of osteoarthritis is imperative. This is why many younger people with osteoarthritis have Durolane injections.
Since Osteoarthritis is a disease that occurs more regularly within the aging population, seniors may prefer Durolane injections as they pose considerably less risk than surgery. While Osteoarthritis surgeries are performed every day posing minimal risk, many see Durolane injections as a method of avoiding the headache of possible post-surgical complications. Reactions to anesthesia, bleeding inside the joints, blood clots, blood vessel or nerve damage, damage to cartilage, muscles, ligaments or tendons or infection are unpleasant side-effects that Durolane treatments help Osteoarthritis sufferers avert. Each individual’s personal circumstances, health and lifestyle will play a role in customizing a treatment plan that works right for them.
In many cases the best treatment for Osteoarthritis can be found in sports therapy clinics that provide regular assistance to athletes and non-athletes who suffer from it. The best sports therapy clinics will likely provide access to a multi-disciplinary medical team. There are many treatment options for Osteoarthritis, therefore you may want to educate yourself and explore several at once. The additional benefit of sports therapy clinics is one-stop access to a team of professionals who can help in this regard.
For more information about Durolane injections, treatment for Osteoarthritis and alternatives to Osteoarthritis Surgery please call 416-800-0800 or visit 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.
