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. 

Recovered from a Torn ACL? Get Ready for the MS Bike Toronto Tour with a Custom ACL Knee Brace

On September 8^th, the streets of Toronto will once again be host to the MS Bike Toronto Tour. Both casual riders and competitive teams will journey through the paths of Toronto’s parklands, choosing from 30km or 55km routes. It's a great way to wrap up the summer while raising money for a worthwhile cause!

Whether you're riding in the MS Bike Tour, out for a casual ride to enjoy Ontario’s scenic trails, or are an avid cyclist taking to the roads on a regular basis, biking is a great way to exercise.  But, if you have suffered from a torn ACL in the past, it might not be prudent to mount your bike without some form of knee protection. Enter the benefits of an ACL knee brace!

Since stability plays a big role in the recovery of a torn ACL, a custom ACL knee brace can deliver it comfortably and effectively. A torn ACL is often the result of contact in high impact sports (football, rugby, basketball, etc.), or when a sharp stop or change in direction causes the knee to stretch beyond its normal limits. Keeping the knee stable will allow you to participate in the sports you love without continually worrying about whether or not your knee is vulnerable following recovery.

Why bother with customizing your brace? There are many different generic knee braces out there that claim to do justice to an ACL injury. However, if you really want the best protection for your knee, consider the logic that your ACL knee brace is customized to fit your body – and no one else’s.  Our sports medicine specialists will take measurements and ensure that your custom knee bracing is made to your exact specifications.

Flexibility is key, and generic knee braces are bulky, limiting your ability to move. Although this may help keep the leg stable, it certainly doesn’t help to keep you active. By comparison, a custom ACL knee brace that is lightweight and comfortable will protect your knee without sacrificing your full mobility. This allows you to get back on the bike (or track, or court, etc.) without being constrained in any way.

Whether prepping for the fun of the MS Bike Toronto tour or just looking for some added protection during everyday activities, visit a sports injury clinic today to have a custom ACL knee brace fitting.

For more information about having a custom ACL knee brace made for you, contact Athletic Edge Sports Medicine today at 416-800-0800.

Sun, Sand and… Strain?? An ACL Knee Brace Might be The Answer!

July 6^th and 7^th mark the 19^th annual Heatwave Toronto Beach Volleyball Event for SickKids.   Toronto’s largest beach volleyball event fills Ashbridge’s Bay and Woodbine Beach, for two full days of recreational and competitive beach volleyball, pitting teams of 6 against each other.  

Even if your summer plans don’t include participating in this great event, volleyball is a favourite summertime activity and a great way to fit in exercise.  That being said, if you have suffered an ACL injury, it can be difficult to enjoy or even participate in even the easiest of volleyball matches.  The bending and diving that is often unavoidable in volleyball can wreak havoc on a torn ACL so many people think avoiding the sport altogether is the easiest answer. But wait - before you resign yourself to a summer where sand equals strain, it might be better to think about getting fitted for a custom ACL knee brace.

Injuries to the ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) are very common, and are often the result of rapidly decelerating, then sharply, suddenly changing direction.  ACL injuries have also been attributed to heavy or stiff-legged landings, as well as twisting or turning the knee while landing. Contact can also result in an ACL injury, and those who participate in contact sports are often most at risk. When the ACL is torn, instability is often an outcome, as well as pain ranging from moderate to severe.

How can custom knee braces help? Whether you are currently suffering from an acute ACL tear or have undergone surgery to repair an ACL tear, a custom ACL knee brace can help you rebuild muscle and redistribute weight evenly. A custom knee brace also works to reduce further wear and tear, all while providing support and stability.

Don’t just avoid favourite summertime sports like volleyball because of ACL pain - get back out there and enjoy them. Whether you plan to get a team together and participate in the Toronto Beach Volleyball Event for SickKids, or just want to play for fun, don’t continue to suffer.  Get fitted for a custom knee brace that helps you recover from ACL surgery or as part of your ACL rehab to ease the pain.

For more information about how a custom ACL knee brace can bring you relief, contact Athletic Edge Sports Medicine by calling 416-800-0800 or visit www.aesm.ca.