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. 

Knee Osteoarthritis? Get Back on the Bike in Time for the Great Waterfront Trail Adventure

August 11^th to 17^th marks the 6^th anniversary of the Great Waterfront Trail Adventure along the shores of Lake Erie, a cycling event that covers 600kms in 7 days. This recreational cycling adventure gives participants the chance to enjoy the event at their own pace, taking time to enjoy the views, the local shopping, and the many other amenities along the bike route. Whether you are an avid cyclist or just want to get out there with some friends, enjoying a day on the trail, the Great Waterfront Trail Adventure is an amazing opportunity for all.

But what if you suffer from osteoarthritis of the knee? Events like this can lose their lustre and appeal when you think about the pain that can accompany them. Cycling can be very difficult for knee osteoarthritis sufferers, simply because of the repetition and pressure put on the knee. If you suffer from the symptoms of osteoarthritis of the knee, including pain, stiffness, a decreased range of motion or muscle weakness and atrophy, then cycling can be extremely taxing.

So how can you prepare for the Great Waterfront Train Adventure, or any future cycling, if you suffer from osteoarthritis of the knee? Visiting a sports injury clinic which specializes in the treatment of knee osteoarthritis is a superb strategy for easing pain and becoming bike-friendly again.

What types of treatment should a sports injury clinic offer to help you deal with your knee osteoarthritis?

-        Physiotherapy: By working with a trained physiotherapist who can create your individual and customized treatment plan (using both cutting edge and traditional physiotherapy techniques) you can relieve the pain of knee osteoarthritis while restoring its function and increasing the knee's strength and flexibility.

-        Viscosupplementation: This method involves the injection of hyaluronic acid into the knee joint to help lubricate it and protect joint surfaces.  A naturally occurring substance in your body, this hyaluronic acid helps to decrease inflammation and relieve pain.

-        Custom Knee Bracing: By helping to stabilize the knee and redistribute weight evenly, custom knee bracing works to make cycling more comfortable. Rather than choosing a generic knee brace, having one custom made to fit your body makes it far more effective.

These treatments, whether performed individually or collectively, can offer you the relief you need while rebuilding and strengthening your knees. Don’t let knee osteoarthritis keep you from being out there enjoying your bike.

For more information about our knee osteoarthritis treatment program, contact Athletic Edge Sports Medicine by calling 416-800-0800 or visit 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.