Spring Sports Injury Series: Common Baseball Injuries

The 2015 baseball season is up and running, and that means that pros and amateurs alike are out there on a regular basis running the bases and hitting home runs (we hope)! In the midst of all of this excitement however, sometimes we lose sight of the fact that baseball can be a source of major strain on the body, and for regular players, baseball injuries can be quite common.

What kind of injuries are we talking about? The most common occur as a result of contact (odd in a non-contact sport, we know), and as a result of repetition. These often include muscle strains and ligament sprains.

We’ve compiled a short list of some of the most common, what their symptoms are, and some of the most popular treatment options.

• The repetitive yet abrupt motions unavoidable in baseball often lead to shoulder injuries, including a torn rotator cuff, rotator cuff tendonitis, shoulder tendonitis or shoulder instability. Symptoms of these types of injuries may include decreased range of motion, pain, and weakness in the shoulder. Treatment varies, and depends on the severity of the injury - but ignoring the pain in the hopes that it will go away will likely only make it worse - see a sports medicine physician right away.

• Tennis elbow is another common baseball injury, occurring as a result of repetition or an abrupt injury. Symptoms typically include pain in the area, usually worse with movement, and weakness. Treatment: physical therapy to improve the muscle or a custom elbow brace.

• Knee injuries, including ligament injuries (ACL, MCL), torn cartilage (meniscus tears), and ruptured tendons, are also common baseball injuries. These can be the result of overuse and thus degradation, or because of a sudden, sharp twist or stop that puts too much pressure on the knee. Pain and decreased movement are typical symptoms. Depending on the severity of the injury, treatment may include rest, physical therapy, knee bracing and sometimes surgery, but seeking medical advice is always the best place to start.

• Although not as common as some of those listed above, a herniated disk is also a common problem in the sport. A herniated disk occurs when the disc is damaged - there are a number of different causes - but in baseball it is usually the result of a fall, repeated straining of the back, or a sudden sharp twist of the back. Symptoms may include pain, weakness, or numbness or tingling. Treatment for a herniated disk usually involves rest, physical therapy and massage therapy, or injections to reduce pain and inflammation.

• Concussions are also a problem in baseball, and even with the use of helmets (and these make a huge difference), a concussion can still occur. A fall or a hit to the head can lead to a concussion - but since they are so difficult to diagnose they sometimes go untreated (leading to further issues). If you believe a concussion has been sustained, contact a sports injury clinic that specializes in concussion management right away.

No matter the level of play, baseball injuries need to be treated correctly to help get you back on the field. The best thing to do if you suffer an injury is 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 call Athletic Edge Sports Medicine today at 416-800-0800 or visit www.aesm.ca.

Benefits of Massage Therapy for a Sports Injury

As any athlete will tell you, no matter your level of play, physical exertion can take a toll on the body in a number of different ways. Whether you are a runner, a cyclist, a rower, or a member of any type of sports team, you know that staying in shape, although critical, can sometimes have some adverse results. This is doubly true when it comes to a sports injury. Anything that takes you from your favourite sport can bring you down – but there are some easy things to do to help deal with the pain – one of the best being massage therapy.

We have all heard about the benefits of massage therapy- but do you actually know what they are? Not only does massage therapy help to keep the body in generally better health, it can significantly improve function and help prevent injury.

Benefits of massage therapy:

Increased tissue permeability – a deep tissue massage can help pores in tissue membranes to open up, allowing fluids and nutrients to better pass through. This helps to remove waste (lactic acid) and encourages the muscles to better absorb oxygen, leading to quicker recovery.

Stretching – massage therapy is a great way to stretch the muscle fibres that can’t be stretched in the usual way, both lengthways as well as sideways. It can also release tension and reduce pressure by stretching the fascia that surrounds the muscle.

Break down scar tissue – previous injuries or trauma can cause scar tissue to build up, leading to inflexibility or pain. Massage therapy can help to break that down, improving symptoms and flexibility.

Improve tissue elasticity – intense training can often lead to hardened tissues or inelasticity, making improvement difficult no matter how much you train. Stretching can help loosen up those tissues and help you get back on track.

Pain reduction – once an injury has been sustained, massage therapy can significantly reduce the pain and discomfort (depending on the injury) by reducing tension and helping the body to release endorphins.

Relaxation and stress relief – a sports injury can not only impact your body physically, but mentally as well, and massage therapy can help, by generating heat, to induce relaxation and reduce anxiety and stress levels.

Whether you are looking to deal with a sports injury, to help prevent one, or just to help your body maintain strength and well-being, the benefits of massage therapy are numerous. Even better, receiving massage treatment at a sports injury clinic can help to ensure that the proper diagnosis and treatment, catered to your specific sports injury, is administered perfectly.

For more about the many benefits of massage therapy treatment, or to speak to a sports medicine specialist about dealing with a sports injury, please contact AESM today by calling 416-800-0800.

Aches and Pains From a Sports Injury? Try Physiotherapy

No matter the sport or your level of play, every time you head out on the track, field, or court, you run the risk of sustaining a sports injury. These injuries can range from minor to severe, but no matter the severity, ignoring an injury can be the worst thing you can do. Assuming those aches and pains will just go away with time and some ice can often lead to even bigger issues.

One of the best ways to get relief from a sports injury is through physiotherapy. How can physiotherapy help? There are a number of different benefits to seeking physiotherapy for sports-related aches and pains:

-        Restore function

-        Improve movement

-        Increase strength and flexibility

-        Prevent future injury

-        Heal a current injury

What might physiotherapy encompass? No cookie-cutter approaches here. Something that works for one person may not be the best course for everyone, so an experienced team will first assess your injury and determine how physiotherapy, either alone or in combination with other treatments, will best alleviate pain and stiffness.

Treatments may include:

-        Acupuncture – Using traditional techniques, a specialist trained in acupuncture can help clear blockages in the body that restrict energy flow, thereby limiting their ability to lead to pain or the breakdown of tissues within the body. The painless insertion of tiny needles at certain points can do wonders as far as targeting specific areas and releasing that blocked energy.

-        Massage Therapy – A proven-effective treatment to reduce swelling, pain, and inflammation in your muscles, as well as improve blood circulation, massage therapy works by applying pressure to targeted areas after thoroughly assessing tissue damage.

-        Strength and Conditioning – Where weaknesses exist, your body often overcompensates, thus putting added strain or stress on muscles. By strengthening and conditioning the body, you can balance out those muscles, giving some much needed relief and often eliminating pain.

-        Orthopaedic Assessments – Sometimes surgery is inevitable, so trust that surgery to someone experienced in treating injuries in athletes specifically to ensure optimal recovery time and effective treatment based on an assessment that deals with your specific concerns and goals for the future.

Get a personal approach to your unique injury. Physiotherapy can help you achieve the pain relief you need to get back to the activity that you love. Don’t settle for anything less than the best.

For more about how physiotherapy can help you recover from your sports injury please contact Athletic Edge Sports Medicine today by calling 416-800-0800.

Stay on Stage with Performing Arts Therapy from a Sports Injury Clinic

When you live your life on stage, you depend on your body’s health, strength, function and ability to move. Being in top physical shape often dictates one's competence, and when your body is pain-free nothing can stop you. However, sometimes injuries are unavoidable, and a person finds their abilities drastically reduced. If you have sustained an injury as a dancer, acrobat, or gymnast, your main goal likely surrounds returning to the spotlight.

If you're suffering from the pain caused by an injury while performing, try "performing arts therapy" from a sports injury clinic.  Why? Because it's simple: every injury is unique, as are the needs of each individual performer. A specialist at a sports injury clinic can help diagnose your individual injury and devise a plan that meets those needs effectively. Forms of performing arts therapy treatment are varied and will depend on the diagnosis from the doctor.

What types of injuries are typical to performing arts? There are many, affecting all different areas of the body from top to bottom. Commonly these are ACL tears, separated shoulders, elbow dislocations, carpel tunnel syndrome, Achilles tears, osteoarthritis, degenerative disk or joint disease and general muscle weakness and pain.

Chiropractic care. Often performing arts injuries can be treated well with a regimen of chiropractic care. A registered chiropractor will choose from a variety of techniques to treat an injury, by both adjusting and manipulating misaligned joints. This helps to lessen your pain and works well to restore normal function.  Treatments such as Active Release Technique, Graston Technique and kinesiotaping all offer varying benefits and can be used separately or consecutively.

Physiotherapy. Physiotherapy is also a common treatment for many performing arts injuries. Acupuncture, orthopedic care and manual therapy are all typical treatment methods for performers, and can be used to reduce pain, restore function, improve strength, stability, flexibility and reduce the chances for future injuries.

Maybe your injury and subsequent removal from the stage has led to reduced personal motivation. Rebuilding confidence in your abilities as a performer is also a key component to performing arts therapy. Perhaps part of your unique treatment plan should include performing arts psychology? This can help you deal with the impacts of your injury, be they are lasting or temporary, and help you return to doing what you love - safely.

For more information about performing arts therapy, contact Athletic Edge Sports Medicine today by calling 416-800-0800. We'll get you back on stage!

Why a Sports Medicine Specialist is Your Best Shot at Recovering from a Sports Injury

Whatever your sport of choice, your body needs to be treated with care - as you would baby the engine of a fine, expensive car! This may mean pre-game stretching and warm ups or an appropriate cool down routine to maintain peak physical condition. We all know that staying in shape requires work – but it's a different, less enjoyable kind of work when suffering through a sports injury.

To suffer a sports injury may mean dealing with a torn ligament, a sprain or a concussion, and the road to recovery can be a long, arduous one.  Your experience of healing is unique, and so, therefore, should be the treatment you receive. Each sports injury - and every person sustaining it - is different, so the expertise of a sports medicine specialist, (one with experience treating various different sports related issues), can be applied to catering to these individual needs to get you back on the field and ready for action.

How does the treatment you receive from a sports medicine specialist differ from that of a regular family physician? Whenever you suffer an injury you should always seek medical attention rather than idly leaving the injury, merely hoping that it will get better on its own (which can ultimately lead to more pain or, if you continue to play, make an existing injury that is even worse).  Your family doctor is a logical resource when you're in less than tip top shape, but your best shot at assertive recovery may be found at the hands of a sports medicine specialist.

Think about it this way. Your family physician treats all kinds of injuries – both sports and non-sports related. Do these require the same type of care? For example, does an individual injured in a car accident need the same treatment that a pro athlete does? The problem and end goal are not the same, so why should the treatment be?

If you are an athlete and have suffered a sports injury, your body is well served in the hands of a specialist. When a physician treats sports injuries on a daily basis their methods of treatment are based on years of experience and results for a wide spectrum of injuries.

The type of treatment you receive for any type of injury should greatly depend on what final results you're seeking. If your level of activity pre-injury did not include great deal of sport participation, the family doctor may suffice, but if you're an athlete, or know that your future goals include a high level of activity, consider investing in the results offered by a sports injury specialist.

For more information about sports injury treatment and recovery, contact Athletic Edge Sports Medicine by calling 416-800-0800 or visit www.aesm.ca 

Prepare for The Cardiac Health Foundation’s Walk of Life with Custom Made Orthotics

On Sunday May 26^th, The Cardiac Health Foundation of Canada will hold its annual Walk of Life at the Evergreen Brick Works in Toronto. The Walk of Life features a 3km and 5km walk, a 5km run, and a 1km family stroll. There are great prizes for runners with top time, a healthy breakfast before the event and a t-shirt for all participants. With summer just around the corner, this event promises to be a great one.  Celebrate the launch of the season by getting out there with some friends in support of The Cardiac Health Foundation.

As you prepare for this event, as well as for your own summer running season, it's best to ensure your body is in top form before stepping out onto the track. Those of us who enjoy running on a regular basis know though that pain can keep us from enjoying what we love. If you are a runner who faces the all too common foot pain that can accompany the sport, it's time to take charge and get your life back!

So how can you get rid of the foot pain (or knee, back and hip pain) that often accompanies running? A sports injury clinic that specializes in all types of sporting injuries has the answer. Instead of suffering with pain, sitting out when you want to be up and at 'em, combat those foot woes with custom made orthotics.

Ok, you might be wondering why you shouldn’t just go out and buy a generic pair of foot orthotics. Aren’t they the same? Are custom made orthotics really that much better? Think about it this way: a one-size-fits-all running shoe doesn’t exist for a reason. Running shoe types vary considerably in order to meet the needs and goals of each runner. So why then, would you want a one-size-fits-all orthotic? Hmmm, well, you probably wouldn’t.

So how do custom made orthotics created by a sports injury clinic differ? It all starts with a consultation to assess your pain and complete a computerized gait analysis. This helps establish what kind of custom made orthotics you need. Rather than a standard pair of orthotics, custom made orthotics target specific, individual pain, and correct it.

Just as with any sport, having the right equipment helps put you at the top of your game. Custom made orthotics are essential equipment for many runners, so it's important to visit a sports injury clinic to have your pain assessed and see if these are right for you. What better way to deal with a sports injury than to have it treated by an expert who specializes in sports related injuries?

For more information about custom made orthotics, or to schedule your gait analysis, contact Athletic Edge Sports Medicine by calling 416-800-0800 or visit www.aesm.ca.