Sore Cyclists: Lower Back Pain Relief

Avid cyclists are no doubt aware of the pain that can accompany this rigorous sport. The way cycling forces you to sit can often significantly impact your back. So, with this in mind, we found this great video from Health Choices First. It talks specifically about cycling-related lower back pain and lower back pain relief.

http://www.healthchoicesfirst.com/category/cycling/sports-medicine/cycling-back-pain

In the video, Dr. Larissa Roux discusses the pain that can come from cycling, which is a very common problem. If this kind of back pain is left untreated, it can gradually become worse and lead to chronic pain. As Dr. Roux suggests in the video, it's important to seek medical attention if you are experiencing lower back pain from cycling, both for pain management and to help develop an optimal training plan.

Dr. Roux also discusses various treatment options, including physiotherapy, to help with range of motion and strengthening exercises. She also explains why a lower back brace can contribute to stabilization and posture.  You'll also find some very useful tips on how to achieve lower back pain relief so that you can stay out there on your bike a lot more comfortably. 

If you experience pain when you ride, it might be time to pop into your local sports medicine specialist for some assessment and goal-setting towards achieving lower back pain relief.  Athletic Edge Sport Medicine can help - call 1-416-800-0800 today.



 

Get Ready for the Walk of Life with an ACL Knee Brace

This year marks the 30^th anniversary of the Cardiac Health Foundation’s Walk of Life! This amazing event, taking place on May 25^th, offers something for everyone – 6 different events for individuals of all ages – and it's a great way to get out and exercise all while supporting the cause of prevention, education and cardiac rehabilitation. But if you suffer from knee pain caused by an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tear, an event like this may not hold the same appeal to you as it does for others.  

ACL sprains and tears are two of the most common knee injuries and can be brought on by a number of different things – from running, to participation in high-impact sports, to even just twisting the wrong way. How? Here’s a very brief anatomy lesson to bring you up to speed. The 3 bones that meet to form your knee joint (femur, tibia and patella) are connected by ligaments which act like strong ropes to hold those bones together and keep your knee stable. When you change direction rapidly, stop suddenly, slow down quickly when running or land incorrectly from a jump, these ligaments can be torn, resulting in severe pain and instability.

If you have suffered from a torn or sprained ACL, you may think surgery is the only answer for relief. But not necessarily.  Depending on the grade of the injury, surgery may be the only option for some, but only your doctor can decide if this is the right method of treatment. That being said, it isn’t the only method of treatment. An ACL knee-brace can work wonders to provide stability and strength when an injury is not severe. 

It's important to note, however, that not just any brace will do here, so don’t go running out to the nearest drug store to bag one off the shelf. Generic, one-size-fits-all braces offer minimal - if any - result. In order for your brace to address your specific issues and injury, it should be custom made to your exact specifications. Following an assessment with an experienced sports medicine specialist, your custom ACL knee brace can be created to fit your knee and secure the highest level of protection. This ensures your knee brace has the ability to protect you the way it should.  

If you're considering taking part in the Walk of Life, or just want to get back on the track after a knee injury, why not get fitted for a custom ACL knee brace and get some proper, long-lasting relief? 

To find out more about how an ACL knee brace can deliver you optimal relief, contact Athletic Edge Sports Medicine today by calling 1-416-800-0800 or visit us at www.aesm.ca.

 

Beach Season: Weight Management Tips for a Bikini-Ready Bod

With the arrival of beach-season comes the return of shorts, tanks, bathing suits, and the good, old fashioned beach-cool-down! For some, this is never a big deal, but if you feel self-conscious and unhappy in this season's more revealing wardrobe pieces because of a few extra pounds and an un-toned body, here are some useful – and effective – weight management tips. These will help get you ready to step into the sand with confidence!

Firstly, stay away from crash diets! It is the beginning of May, so even though you feel tempted to rush losing those extra pounds by a steady diet of water and broccoli for the next month – this is a horrible idea! No one can realistically maintain a diet of minimal calories and limited food selection for a long period of time, nor does this kind of eating make one super unhealthy. A month-long diet of salad followed by the return of regular meals can only result in inevitable weight-gain.  So trash the meal-skipping, food-eliminating fast route!

Now let's talk about exercise, which always seems like common sense, but SO many dread or avoid it! For starters, a beach-ready body without exercise is going to be pretty tough to obtain.  A regular exercise regimen will not only rev-up the calorie burning process but can boost your metabolism for hours post-workout too.  A simple 30-60 minute evening walk or visits to the  gym a few days a week, can do wonders.  Better still is enlisting the expertise of a fitness trainer to not only totally motivate you but also develop an exercise plan - even one you can do in your own living room! Staying active is a crucial part of weight management – so pump it up.  

Ramp up your H2O intake. Your body needs water to process calories, so being even mildly dehydrated can cause your metabolism to slow right down. Water also helps to flush out your system, which is always a bonus. Try snacking on fruits and veggies which contain a lot of water and can help you stay hydrated as well.  

Visit a registered dietician for nutrition counseling and a dose of motivation. Many know that staying motivated is often one of the hardest parts about weight management, so the support, encouragement and guidance of a registered dietician – one who can help you develop a healthy meal plan and exercise program – can make a world of difference. Watch how a catered program that meets your individual needs, goals and lifestyle, produces results far sooner and for much longer.  

With bikini season here, take these tips to the beach, get back in shape the healthy way and for the long haul! For more about weight management or to speak with our registered dietician, Stefanie Senior, call Athletic Edge Sports Medicine at 1-416-800-0800.

April Showers Bring…Aches and Pains! Get Relief from a Massage Therapist

April is here - hurray! - and winter may finally be history.  While it's not exactly Key Largo out there, the milder weather is something we feel beckoned to enjoy. The problem is, mild weather does not necessarily mean rain-free, in fact, April is known to be one of Canada's rainier months. So where do you find relief from rain-related aches and pains?  This might be the perfect time to link-up with a relief-inducing, relaxation-brewing registered massage therapist.

Why? Many of the injuries or pain that athletes suffer from, are rooted in a common set of conditions. Both acute and chronic injuries can lead to tissue damage that makes participating in activities of various kinds difficult.  Working with a registered massage therapist can reduce musculature swelling, pain, and inflammation caused by injuries. Massage can also do wonders to improve blood circulation, which promotes healing and the effective prevention of future injuries.

Why not just head to the spa? Well, if you are looking to merely relax or de-stress, that might do fine.  But if you want massage-bang-for-your-buck, you may also want to also include effective techniques for easing sports-related muscle tightness.  In this case, massage therapy from a sports medicine clinic is your best bet.

A sports injury clinic isn't a one-size-fits-all approach to massage.  It offers a thorough assessment of your unique injury (or injuries) and body, followed by an individual treatment plan for making you injury-free. This treatment may include a number of different manual movements by a specialist trained in Swedish massage or Shiatsu massage.

So how does it work? Firstly, when a massage therapist applies pressure to certain points where muscles are constricted, tissues relax, thereby reducing painful contractions and spasms. Proper massage therapy can also loosen and lengthen tight muscles (reducing the risk for injury).   A reduction of nerve compression also facilitates muscles getting proper nutrients and operating more efficiently. In short, a massage therapist can also help your body regain balance and proper alignment.

Consider too, that massage therapy treatment may also be part of a combination of therapies like physiotherapy, chiropractic treatment, or acupuncture. Together these can speed up the healing and rehabilitation process, returning you to the activities you love that much faster. As mentioned, your individualized treatment depends on your massage therapist's assessment of your unique needs. 

For more information about the benefits of working with a registered massage therapist, contact Athletic Edge Sports Medicine at 1-416-800-0800 or visit www.aesm.ca.

Ready, Set, Run…Wait! Treating Osteoarthritis of the Knee

Spring is definitely upon us and for you avid runners that means the track is calling your name! So lace up those sneakers and make a dash for the start-line - unless, of course, you suffer from osteoarthritis of the knee.  Those grounded by osteoarthritis of the knee know all about dealing with this painful condition.  But, good news! We've got some options to help you cope. 

Firstly, osteoarthritis is a degenerative disease that most commonly affects athletes over 40, but does strike at any age. No one is immune. That being said, surgery isn’t the only answer to managing your symptoms. Here are some of the most common and most effective treatment options that can help you manage the pain and restrictions of osteoarthritis of the knee. 

Viscosupplementation: Viscosupplementation is a fast and effective treatment for osteoarthritis. This treatment involves the injection of hyaluronic acid into the knee joint. Hyaluronic acid is a naturally occurring substance found in the body, designed to act as a lubricant to help joints and bones function without pain. It has also been shown to have anti-inflammatory and pain relieving properties. Another benefit to this type of treatment is that it is quick with an almost immediate recovery time of usually within 2 days. This is liberating in that it removes the burden of having to stay off of your knees for weeks. 

Physiotherapy: Physiotherapy is another common, non-surgical treatment for osteoarthritis of the knee. By measuring the mobility of the joint and the strength of your supporting muscles, a physiotherapist can determine the progress of the disease, developing an individualized exercise program that maintains or increases mobility, restoring muscle balance and flexibility, and improving strength and stability. 

Custom Knee Brace: Yet another non-surgical form of treatment, a custom knee brace can help achieve stability in the knee joint. A knee brace custom-made to your exact specifications (rather than a generic one), gives you optimum support, preventing your knee from jostling around, thereby reducing the pain and increasing your range of motion and ability.

Depending on your own individual assessment, your doctor may choose to administer one of these treatments or a combination of them to achieve the best relief.

Osteoarthritis of the knee can be very painful, if not debilitating, so relief should be a top priority. Contact Athletic Edge Sports Medicine today to find out more about non-surgical treatments by calling 1-416-800-0800.

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.

Get Back on the Track: Dealing with Runner’s Knee

April often means an enthusiastic return to the outdoor track or neighborhood forest trail. But if you suffer from patello femoral pain syndrome (PFPS), also more commonly known as runner’s knee, then April may not excite you the way it should.

What is PFPS? This term simply refers to pain in, and around, the kneecap. This pain may be accompanied by swelling of the knee, as well as a sensation that the knee wants to give-way when running or walking. Although the actual cause of PFPS is unknown, the pain is often the result of irritated cartilage around the knee. This pain is typically made worse by long periods of inactivity, or by running uphill (which puts extra pressure on the knee).

If you have knee-pain but are unsure of the cause, the condition, or the various treatment options, here's a great video from Health Choices First: “Patello Femoral Pain Syndrome.” In it, Dr. Larissa Roux discusses some of the symptoms of PFPS, as well as some of the various options for treatment and relief.

http://www.healthchoicesfirst.com/category/running/sports-medicine-doctors/patello-femoral-pain-syndrome-1

If you're suffering from runner’s knee, don’t assume that staying off the track is going to fix the problem. As the video mentions, rehabilitation is one of the best ways to get your knee back in shape. For more information, contact Athletic Edge Sports Medicine at 1-416-800-0800.