Getting Ready for World Masters Games with Athletic Therapy

This week, Quebec City hosts the Winter World Masters Games. For the past 20 years, the Summer World Masters Games have been a huge success, and as a result, the birth of the Winter Games in Bled, Slovenia in 2010 is being followed up by this year’s event – and being held in Canada no less!! Athletes from across the world will join together to compete in a number of events and test themselves and each other for top position.

For many athletes, events such as these are the pinnacle of an athletic career, and for good reason, but when pain from a prior injury or from overuse is present, the prospect of competing can hamper any excitement. One of the best ways to prepare yourself for any sporting event, and to rid yourself of the pain that may negatively impact your performance, is with athletic therapy.

First of all, what is athletic therapy? Athletic therapy is the treatment and rehabilitation, as well as the prevention, of musculoskeletal injuries. This is done by a certified athletic therapist, trained in the effective assessment and treatment of pain caused by an injury. An assessment of physical function first evaluates an injury, and a diagnosis and treatment method determined. An athletic therapist’s goal is to help a patient recover as quickly as possible, safely returning to the game at peak level.

What method might be used to treat an injury or pain? Depending on your unique injury or pain, an athletic therapist might use a number of different treatment methods to aid in your recovery and rehabilitation. These might include various rehabilitative techniques, therapeutic modalities, physical reconditioning and supportive taping and strapping procedures to help promote optimal healing and get you back on the field safely.

Athletic therapy might also be used in combination with other forms of physical treatment, including massage therapy, physiotherapy, chiropractic treatment or osteopathy. Again, the method for treatment differs according to your unique situation, and is determined by your therapist.

Whether you plan on participating in the Winter World Masters Games or not, if you have suffered an injury that is keeping you from performing at your best, athletic therapy might just be the answer – especially if faster relief that is focused primarily on your effective and efficient recovery is your goal.

For more about the benefits and treatment methods of athletic therapy, please contact Athletic Edge Sports Medicine today by calling 416 800 0800 or visit www.aesm.ca. 

Feeling the Winter Blues Already? How Athletic Therapy Can Help You Prep for Winter Activity

With November in full swing and the long winter months spread out ahead of us, what a perfect time to talk about winter activity and how athletic therapy can help prep you for the season! Inactivity during the cold winter months is never a smart option, but neither is heading out and pretending it is June.  Being ready to beat the winter blues is crucial if you want to stay emotionally and physically pain free over the winter.

One of the most common complaints individuals have through winter months revolves around the weather's effect on osteoarthritis. If you have osteoarthritis of the knee you know what the cold can do to heighten this condition, so why not deal with the pain? An effective method for treatment of osteoarthritis is to attend a sports medicine clinic that offers treatment specific to this condition. This may include physiotherapy, viscosupplementation or custom knee bracing, either in combination or separately. These can help to reduce pain and increase movement in the knee, making winter activity a breeze.

What about running? You can’t run in the winter the same as you would in July, so make sure you adjust to the change in environment with proper equipment, training and routine. If you have sustained a running injury and are thinking about taking the winter off to recoup, you might want to reconsider, as a period of prolonged inactivity may lead to further injury come spring. Treat your running injury and get back out on that snow-frosted track by attending a running injury clinic at a sports medicine clinic. This will help to identify the root cause of your pain and devise a plan for treatment.

Athletic therapy is not just for prepping your body either. Winter sports can also lead to injury: think hockey, figure skating, lacrosse, etc. Any sports related injury needs to be treated properly – so seeking out individualized treatment catered to your specific injury is the best way to ensure that your recovery is effective and safe.

Don’t let winter chain you to the couch. Head to a sports medicine clinic today to seek treatment for winter aches and pains or to find out the best way to exercise over the winter months. Keep active and pain free with athletic therapy!

For more information about the benefits of athletic therapy, contact Athletic Edge Sports Medicine by calling 416-800-0800 or visit us online at www.aesm.ca. 

Prepare for the Toronto Waterfront Marathon with Professional Athletic Therapy

October 20^th marks the advent of the annual Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon, a 5km, half-marathon or full marathon in support of such charities as the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, Autism Dog Services and St. Christopher’s House. This is a brilliant opportunity to raise some money for wonderful organizations while participating in a great event!

Preparing for a marathon can be a big undertaking. In order to compete you need to be in top form – especially if you want to avoid the pain and strain that can accompany this sport. One wise way to ensure your body is ready is to have a proper fitness assessment – and a sports medicine specialist is the perfect professional to turn to! This assessment can identify any issues and address them effectively.

If you are recovering from an injury, athletic therapy is an important resource to consider for readying your body ready for a marathon. If you are an avid runner but have sustained a running injury, an injured runner’s clinic might be the best place to start. Your sports medicine specialist can assess the injury, identify underlying issues that led to the injury and help determine a long-term routine to get you back to your best.

Recovering from a torn ACL? Athletic Therapy can see you fitted for a custom ACL knee brace to help increase knee stability while allowing for a wide range of movement and flexibility.  A custom knee brace is also a boon for those suffering from knee osteoarthritis.

What about foot pain like plantar fasciitis? Athletic therapy may include custom foot orthotics. These can help to reduce pain and stabilize your feet. Custom foot orthotics can also help with back and hip pain.

What about osteopathy? A great way to restore balance, reduce pain and speed natural healing is by visiting an osteopath who can address related pain and help you overcome it.

Whether you are prepping for the Toronto Waterfront Marathon or just want your a-game back to achieve your own personal goals, athletic therapy can investigate any problems that cause you challenges and provide you with effective solutions. Walking or running with pain is neither pleasant nor is it a good idea, so make sure to address any lingering problems.

For more information about how athletic therapy can strengthen you for Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon, contact Athletic Edge Sports Medicine at 416-800-0800 or visit us online at www.aesm.ca. 

Suffering From Sports Aches and Pains? How Toronto Athletic Therapy Can Help

When a professional athlete suffers a sports related injury, their immediate response is not to turn to their family doctor for relief but to seek out professional athletic therapy for treatment. These professionals are often on hand to deal with a wide spectrum of injuries, and their job is to not only help athletes recover from the injury or condition, but also to avoid similar injuries in the future.

You need not be a professional athlete to sustain an injury on the court, field, rink, etc., so you need not be a pro-athlete to seek treatment from a professional for any injury you suffer. The best way to treat a sports related injury is to have it addressed by an experienced professional like one dedicated to sports related injuries at an athletic therapy clinic.

How is athletic therapy different? One example is to compare when someone suffers a car accident related injury to a sports injury.  The former is a one-time damage circumstance that requires much different treatment than that used to heal an injury due to sports. This is because many sports injuries are overuse injuries, meaning that they develop as a result of repetition or continued strain. Athletic therapy recognizes these differences and relies on and administers a treatment plan that not only takes into account the treatment of the injury but also your future goals and lifestyle.

What might athletic therapy from a Toronto sports medicine clinic consist of? If you suffer from a sports related injury, be it tendonitis, back pain, or knee osteoarthritis, an athletic therapy clinic will use one, or a combination of, various treatment methods including chiropractic treatment ( i.e. acupuncture, Active Release Technique), massage therapy, shockwave therapy, osteopathy or physical therapy. Non-surgical alternatives are an important part of athletic therapy that make it much easier for you to return to the field more quickly.

When you suffer from a sports related injury, why not trust a professional who works specifically with the pain caused by sports. If you're serious about getting back to the activities you enjoy, consider athletic therapy.

To find out more about the benefits of athletic therapy from a Toronto sports medicine clinic, contact Athletic Edge Sports Medicine by calling 416-800-0800 or visit us online.