Soccer Sprains and Strains? Score Some Relief with Athletic Therapy

As one of the most popular sports in the world, soccer is played by thousands of people across Canada. Whether you play as part of a team in an organized league or enjoy the odd game of pick-up with your friends at a local field, soccer really is a great form of exercise. It helps you stay in fantastic shape while improving balance, agility, and coordination. But it can also be risky. Soccer injuries, both acute or traumatic, happen all the time.  

Soccer related sprains and strains commonly strike the body's lower extremity, however upper extremity injuries can also happen frequently. The severity of sprains and strains varies and may require different forms of treatment.   

Here are some of the most common soccer injuries and effective methods of treatment: 

-        Lower Extremity Injuries: these include sprains and strains to the legs, including cartilage tears and anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) sprains of the knee. The nature of soccer encourages sharp twists and turns which can result in stretched or torn ligaments, the severity of which then dictates one's required treatment. With a partial ACL tear, a knee brace may be the best form of relief, whereas a full tear may require surgery. Physiotherapy may also be an effective option for, say, an ankle sprain.  In a case like this, physiotherapy is a great way to improve strength and regain ankle function and stability.  

-        Upper Extremity Injuries: injuries to the upper extremities can be quite common for soccer players, and usually occur from general contact or when an individual falls on an outstretched arm. These injuries may include wrist strains and sprains, fractures, or shoulder dislocations. As with lower extremity injuries, the treatment and severity of these conditions may vary, with possible massage therapy and/or acupuncture to  improve muscle function and encourage healing of the affected area. Osteopathy can also help restore normative function, speed healing and reduce pain.  

If you have sustained a soccer injury, the best advice we can give you is to seek out medical attention immediately. Often with these injuries, the longer you leave them untreated, the worse they get. As noted, treatment may be something as simple as a custom brace or massage therapy, or more concentrated efforts such as surgery.  But the only way to effectively obtain relief is to obtain a proper assessment. 

Stop suffering and keep playing! For relief from common soccer injuries such as sprains and strains, contact Athletic Edge Sports Medicine today at 1-416-800-0800 or visit us at www.aesm.ca.

Don’t Let Sports Sprains and Strains Ruin Your Ultimate Frisbee Game

As the last vestiges of winter finally melt away, many of us are ready for those warm days outside enjoying out favourite sports. If you are an ultimate frisbee player, spring signals you’re the move from indoor arenas to outside onto the field. A game that combines different elements of football, soccer and basketball, ultimate frisbee continues to grow in popularity, with leagues in every major city in the country!

But no matter the season, ultimate frisbee can lead to some painful sprains and strains that can bench even the best players. Rather than putting up with aches and pains or letting them keep you from participating, head to a sports injury clinic and address related problems before the warm weather hits!

What kinds of sprains and strains are we talking about? Like any sport, ultimate frisbee contains a level of risk as far as injuries. The combination of running flat-out and sometimes unavoidable contact can lead to sprains and strains on various parts of the body.  The most common are ankle and knee sprains. Either of these can take you off of the field for an extended period of time. After all, if you can’t run, you are probably not going to be much help to anyone on the team!

Sprains and strains to the ankle and knee can vary in severity, so it stands to reason the intensity of treatment also varies. Ignoring injuries like these is a very bad idea – and could leave you as a permanent fixture on the sidelines. A sports injury clinic that caters to sports related injuries can assess each individual injury as need be and recommend the best treatment plan to get you back on the field as soon as possible.

What types of treatment does a sports injury clinic use to treat sprains and strains? If the sprain is in the knee for example, a custom brace can work to stabilize the knee, balancing out the weight and reducing the stress on the knee joint and area. This can make it much easier to compete and help keep further injuries at bay.

Other common injuries as a result of ultimate frisbee include torn ACL’s. If you are running, pivoting and diving to catch the frisbee you are vulnerable to tearing your ACL. A sports injury clinic can deal with these injuries too. Using various massage techniques a physical therapist can reduce the swelling and inflammation from a minor injury and reduce the pain, getting you back out on the field in no time.

If you play ultimate frisbee but find yourself suffering from sprains and strains or any sports related injury as a result, visit a sports injury clinic for an assessment and treatment, customized to meet your individual needs. Professional expertise can restore you to your normal level of activity by reducing and managing your injury/pain.

For more information about sports sprains and strains and how a sports injury clinic can help, contact Athletic Edge Sports Medicine by calling 416-800-0800 or visit www.aesm.ca

Major League Soccer Season Kicks Off: We Tell You How to Avoid Soccer Injuries

Get ready soccer fans: the 2013 Major League Soccer season has begun, kicking off on March 2^nd! You’ve got several months of fast-paced action ahead of you, and whether you play soccer on a regular basis, are re-enacting those games played by our own Toronto FC, or just like to kick the ball around with friends on Sunday afternoon, this time of year - and the start of the season - always ramps up the excitement for this sport.

Along with the excitement, the start of soccer season also ushers in a new season of common soccer injuries. No matter what level you participate in, your chances of suffering a soccer injury are worth paying attention to. We’ve got some tips to help you avoid sprains and strains that soccer is known for.

Some of the most common soccer injuries are the sprains and strains that stem from overuse. Overuse injuries happen when there is frequent stress on the muscles, soft tissues and joints. Without enough time to heal, these sprains and strains, which can start off as small aches and pains, can become much worse if untreated.

So how can you avoid these injuries and play a full season, injury-free?

Be physically active. Don’t go back to the field at full tilt after an extended period of time off. Make sure that you gradually work your body back to regular play, so your sprains and strains are kept at bay. Also, make sure that you are stretching both before and after each game.

Make sure that you are wearing the right equipment – the right cleats and breathable gear – and that the conditions are proper. If your shoes are too tight, or too loose, your whole body will suffer. If the rain poured down on the field the day before leaving it a veritable pond, slips and falls can easily lead to soccer injuries.

And what if you’ve taken proper precautionary measures and still find yourself in pain? If you suffer from an ache or pain that doesn’t seem to want to go away, you may want to seek medical attention.  An underlying problem that requires treatment which hasn’t been identified or addressed by a doctor can quickly become serious. Rather than ignoring sprains and strains or brushing them off as annoyances or merely stiff muscles, give them the attention they need to heal properly. And strike the right balance between resting, stretching, exercising and actually playing the sport itself.

Just because you’re not a regular David Beckham out on the pitch, doesn’t mean that you are immune to the most common soccer injuries involving sprains and strains. Make sure that you are prepared before heading out to play. And if you suffer an injury, always seek medical attention immediately to avoid long-term impact.

For more information about preventing soccer injuries, such as sprains as strains or to treat a sports injury, contact Athletic Edge Sports Medicine at 416 800 0800, or visit www.aesm.ca

Sports Medicine Specialists Give You Tips For Dealing With Sprains and Strains During the 2013 Nordic Ski Season

Just because it may be cold and snowy out, doesn’t mean that your opportunities for winter fitness are limited. There are a number of activities out there that allow you to keep active over the winter season. Cross-country skiing, or Nordic skiing, is a great way to stay fit during the long winter months. Winter is in full swing and most trails are open and fully operational. If you haven’t been out yet, stop waiting and take advantage of the benefits available through this fun and enjoyable winter sport.                                                                                                                                    

As exciting as Nordic skiing is, and as great an opportunity as it can be to help you keep active over the winter, it is important to remember that, as with all sports, there is always a risk of injury. Some believe it to be a relatively low impact sport, but it does require technique and training – you can’t just buy a pair of skis and become a pro overnight. The most common injuries associated with Nordic skiing, sprains and strains, can leave you with very few options if you are intent on remaining active, so let the sports medicine specialists give you tips for dealing with those strains and sprains before you head out on the terrain.

Also important, especially before you head out on those Nordic Ski trails, is making sure that your body is in the right physical shape to participate. Visiting a registered sports medicine specialist will help you determine the best route to get you ready for those long days out on your skis, helping to ensure your safety and to avoid those unwanted and inconvenient injuries that all too often accompany Nordic skiing.

If you are already suffering from a strain or sprain that you are afraid will keep you from the trails, or if you find yourself with an ache as a result of your cross country skiing, don’t fret. Working with a sports medicine specialist will allow you to make the most from their training and experience and get you back out there in no time.

Whether you are an experienced Nordic skier, or if you have just started, taking advantage of the benefits offered by Nordic skiing over the winter is a great idea, and working with a sports medicine specialist can keep you on the trails enjoying the sport. Avoiding the strains and sprains that can come with Nordic skiing, or dealing with them if they do occur, doesn’t have to keep you from the trails. By keeping fit and active always, and visiting those experienced sports medicine specialists will help you keep your body in peak physical shape.

To speak with a sports medicine specialist about how to deal with Nordic skiing strains and sprains, please contact Athletic Edge Sports Medicine by calling 416 800 0800, or visit www.aesm.ca.