Be in the Know: What are Some Common Fertility Treatments?

If you are trying to conceive, but having difficulty, knowing that there are a number of different options available to help can relieve a lot of stress. But what are these treatments, and in which situation do they make the most sense? Being aware is an important part of the process.

With this in mind, we thought we would share this video from Health Choices First, “What Are Some Common Fertility Treatments?” In the video, fertility specialist Dr. Anthony Cheung discusses some of the most common, and most effective, fertility treatments available.

Depending on the factors impacting your fertility, intrauterine insemination, hormone injections to optimize chances of conceiving, or in vitro fertilization, may be the answer.

Check out the video here: http://www.healthchoicesfirst.com/category/fertility/fertility/what-are-some-common-fertilitytreatments.

If you have been trying but are not seeing the results you would like, being prepared and getting more information is the best way to ease stress – and stress can have a major impact overall! Equip yourself with information such as that contained in the video, and know what questions to ask when you seek the advice of a fertility specialist.

If you are having trouble conceiving, and would like some more information about the different fertility treatments available, please contact Athletic Edge Sports Medicine. Contact us today by calling 416-800-0800.

Tennis Injuries: Plantar Fasciitis Symptoms and Treatment

Plantar fasciitis symptoms often present themselves as a result of the repetitive motions required in tennis, as well as the unavoidable quick stops and starts when on the court. It manifests itself as pain in the bottom of the foot, anywhere from the heel to the toes. Because of the pounding motion all too common during a match, the foot can quickly become inflamed, leading to pain.

Whether you are an avid player, or just head out for a friendly match every once and a while, check out this video from Health Choices First. In it, physiotherapist Carl Peterson discusses plantar fasciitis and its symptoms: http://www.healthchoicesfirst.com/category/tennis/general-content/tennis-plantar-fasciitis.

Treatment for plantar fasciitis can include release work to work out the inflammation and to relieve tension in the foot. Warm up exercises to prep your body that are specific to tennis can also play a big part in keeping plantar fasciitis symptoms at bay.

A physiotherapist can help you find relief through a variety of different treatment methods, as well as assessing to see if orthotics to help support your arch would be beneficial.

For more about plantar fasciitis symptoms and treatment please contact Athletic Edge Sports Medicine today to speak with a physiotherapist. Call 416-800-0800.

Countdown to 2015 Pan Am Games – What’s Your Athletic Training Plan?

The countdown is on! A year from now, Toronto will play host to the 2015 Pan Am and Parapan Am Games! Held every four years, the Pan Am games is a world-class competition featuring over 7000 athletes from across North America, South America, Latin America and the Caribbean.

With 36 different Pan Am sports, the Pam Am games offer something for everyone! From athletics events such as running, hurdles, high jump and shot put, to team sports such as baseball, basketball and volleyball, to water sports such as kayaking and canoeing – they have it all. But what about preparation - what kind of athletic training do these athletes do before this amazing event?

Firstly, what exactly is athletic training? Is it just exercises to get your body in shape? No – in fact athletic training is often confused with personal training, but there are significant differences. Athletic training encompasses everything from injury prevention to diagnosis, and then treatment and rehabilitation. No matter the sport, injury is an unfortunate reality – and so athletic training needs to be a major consideration for any serious athlete.

One of the best ways to ensure optimal performance is to get your body in peak physical condition. Starting with a physical diagnosis, a sports medicine clinic that offers athletic training services can help you better identify weaknesses that require some extra attention. Depending on your sport, your treatment will then be catered specifically to your own needs and requirements. Suggested fitness training and exercises can help you train those muscles that may be neglected, and help you direct your regular fitness regimen.

If you suffer from a sports-related injury, athletic training will then allow for treatment and rehabilitation to decrease pain, increase flexibility and movement, and prevent future injuries. This may incorporate such treatment as physiotherapy, chiropractic care, acupuncture, or massage therapy – all done by a trained practitioner experienced with sports medicine specifically.

Whether you are an athlete participating in next year’s Pan Am or Parapan Am Games, or if you are a committed athlete in one of the various sports included in the games, athletic training is a great way to ensure that you in top form at all times – and that an injury doesn’t keep you from your favourite sport.

To find out more about athletic training and how you can get your body in peak physical condition or to find out about treatment for a sports-related injury, please contact Athletic Edge Sports Medicine today by calling 416-800-0800 or visit www.aesm.ca/?utm_medium+social&utm_source=blogger 

World Cup 2014: Soccer Injury List Continues to Grow

Injuries are an unfortunate part of any game, but to have them happen during the World Cup can spell disaster for any player.  This year’s list of injuries continues to grow, and many players are feeling the impacts of the game. Here is just a short list of some of the teams who have been down a man since the beginning, as a result of a recent injury, or are at least dealing with questions of whether or not their teammates will be fit enough to compete in the upcoming days.

-        Belgium’s Christian Benteke ruptured his Achilles tendon in April and was promptly ruled out.

-        Russian captain Roman Shirikov was also deemed out because of an Achilles tendon injury pre-World Cup.

-        England’s Theo Walcott is recovering from a knee injury that kept him from the competition.

-        Italian midfielder Riccardo Montolivo suffered a broken leg in a warm-up game, missing his team’s defeat against Uruguay on the 24^th.

-        Mexico midfielder Luis Montes also suffered a major injury, fracturing his leg in a friendly game against Ecuador.

-        Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo continues to deal with the pain from a knee injury, although it hasn’t kept him from playing as of yet.

The list of absent players continues to grow as the games go on.

Many of these players are currently, or will very shortly be treated for their specific injuries in a variety of ways by trained and experienced sports medicine physicians. This treatment may include physical therapy, chiropractic care, massage therapy, or custom knee braces, and although it will reduce their physical pain, it likely won’t do anything to dull the mental anguish of having lost the chance to help their teams make it to the finals.

If you are, like many of the World Cup players, suffering from a soccer injury, contact Athletic Edge Sports Medicine today to get some relief. Call us today 416 800 0800.

World Cup 2014: Yaya Toure’s Hamstring Injury

Thanks to the sudden acceleration soccer players commonly do to chase the ball down, sprinting outright down the pitch, or due to a direct hit, hamstring injuries are very common within the sport. The hamstring muscles, that group of large powerful muscles that span the back of the thigh, are in no way immune to damage, and several World Cup 2014 players are currently dealing with this painful condition.

After sustaining a hamstring injury during play for Manchester City in the English Premier League, Yaya Toure, Ivory Coast’s three time African player of the year, was cleared for play in the World Cup. He went on to help secure a 2-1 victory over Japan on the 14^th, followed unfortunately by a 2-1 loss to Columbia on the 19^th. Although his injury was treated in the weeks before the tournament, the midfielder has been out there pushing hard.

Symptoms of a hamstring injury can include bruising, swelling, muscle spasms and difficulties with muscle contraction. The treatment of a torn hamstring depends on the severity of the injury, and can include icing or compressive bandaging, or using crutches to help take some of the pressure off of the muscles. Physical therapy is a common form of treatment to help relieve the symptoms of a hamstring injury. Before any treatment is started, a thorough assessment of the injury by a sports medicine physician is critical to ensure optimal recovery.

If you have sustained a hamstring injury, whether as a result of a soccer game or any other sport, Athletic Edge Sports Medicine can help. Contact us today by calling 416 800 0800.

FIFA 2014 Injuries: Bastian Schweinsteiger’s Tendonitis of the Knee

Tendonitis of the knee is one of the most common soccer injuries, thanks in part to the rapid movement on the pitch and the constant overuse of the muscles and tendons surrounding the knee, and those individuals participating in this year’s FIFA 2014 are no strangers to this condition. Across the board teams are dealing with pre-tournament injuries leading to roster changes, as well as post-game treatments and assessments, Germany’s Bastian Schweinsteiger once such patient.

After suffering a knee injury during Germany’s pre-tournament training camp, and struggling with tendonitis of the knee, Bastian Schweinsteiger was cleared by FIFA’s prior to the 4-0 victory over Portugal on the 16^th.  Schweinsteiger seems to be recovering well, performing admirably during the final 20 minutes of the game against Ghana, even in the face of the looming (and eventual) loss.

What might Schweinsteiger’s symptoms and treatment include? Both vary, but typical knee tendonitis symptoms include inflammation, pain, and the loss of flexibility in the knee. Treatment might involve rest and icing, bracing, or massage and physical therapy. All of these, or a combination of them can greatly reduce the risk of long term impacts.

If you are suffering from an injury to the knee, or any other common soccer injury, please contact Athletic Edge Sports Medicine today by calling 416 800 0800. We can get you back out there!

World Cup 2014: Concussion Management for Bruno Martins Indi

Soccer is well-known for its level of risk, and this year’s World Cup has seen its fair share of injuries so far, and unfortunately is likely to see even more before the champion team is crowned on July 13^th. The speed at which players take to the pitch, coupled with the inevitable collisions, can mean disaster.

Thanks to an injury sustained during Netherlands’ game against Australia, defender Bruno Martins Indi missed the final Group B match against Chile on the 23^rd, although victory was secured against Chile. Martins spent the night in hospital after suffering a concussion during the game that saw a 3-2 victory over Australia. The concussion management team suggested “baby steps” toward complete recovery.

Like any sport with contact (and even those without) concussions seem to be a major injury for many soccer players, making effective concussion management really important. The right diagnosis and treatment can help avoid long term impacts. The difficulty in diagnosing concussions makes this treatment even more important.

If you have sustained a head injury, diagnosis is critical to ensure proper treatment. This includes the use of tools such as BESS (a standardized balance test) and IMPACT (a computer-based cognitive test) to ensure optimal recovery and safe return to work and play.

If you have sustained a head injury, especially if you are unsure about its severity, contact Athletic Edge Sports Medicine for concussion management. Call us today at 416 800 0800.

Avoiding Baseball Injuries - 2014 Major League Baseball All-Star Game

Baseball fans: the 2014 Major League Baseball All-Star Game is just around the corner! This year, the best of the best will face off at Target Field, home of the Minnesota Twins, for an exciting five day event culminating in the 85^th All-Star Game on July 15^th!

Baseball players: Whether you play in an organized league, on a regular basis, or just have the odd meet-up on the diamond with friends, before heading out there and putting on the glove, be aware of the fact that baseball can be accompanied by a number of unfortunate pains – so be prepared!

Here is a list of the top 5 baseball injuries, their respective symptoms, and treatment options for each.

·       Torn rotator cuff – this is when one or more of the tendons of the rotator cuff muscles is torn. This can be caused by an injury (such as an over extension), or degeneration (repetition), and the severity ranges from a partial tear to a full tear. Pain and inflammation are common symptoms of this type of injury. Treatment can included physical therapy to improve flexibility and the strength of the muscles surrounding the joint, or may require more extensive treatment if the injury is severe.  

·       Tennis elbow – this is the result of an abrupt or subtle injury to the muscle and tendon area on the outside of the elbow. This manifests as pain, usually worse when shaking your hands or squeezing objects. Treatment may include physical therapy or a custom elbow brace.

·       Knee injuries – most commonly caused by an impact against the knee or a sudden twist of the joint which can rip the cartilage in the meniscus, usually resulting in significant pain. Strained or torn ligaments are also common, and are also quite painful and can decrease movement. Treatment includes rest, physical therapy and knee bracing. 

·       Head injuries – concussions are also one of the most common baseball injuries, and even with a helmet, concussions can occur as a result of a fall or a hit, or of course a baseball to the head. Since they are so difficult to diagnose, the threat of a concussion needs to be examined by a physician right away. 

·       Wrist injuries – wrist sprains and strains are common in baseball, often due to falls. Wrist tendinitis can also be a problem for many baseball players. Symptoms include pain, swelling, and a decrease in the range in motion. Common treatment may include a wrist brace or medication – but always speak to a physician for a diagnosis.

It doesn’t matter if you play at the same level as those players participating in the Major League Baseball All-Star Game or you just like to play on Sunday afternoons, baseball injuries are an unfortunate reality of the game. The best thing that you can do if you suffer an injury is to seek treatment from a sports injury clinic to avoid further injury and decrease pain.

For more about dealing with one of these baseball injuries, please contact Athletic Edge Sports Medicine. Call us today at 416-800-0800.