Super Bowl Fans: Avoid Common Football Injuries

Super Bowl XLVIII is just around the corner, and fans across North America are gearing up for the sport season's most watched game. This year, the Super Bowl is being held at the MetLife Stadium in New Jersey where players will face off in the pursuit of the highly coveted Vince Lombardi Trophy.

Any competitive game comes part-and-parcel with a call for the stretcher. The most common football injuries are to the ankle, leg, knee, and head.  Some of our favourite players have either suffered these injuries in the past or are likely to sustain such an injury in the future. And those pros aren't the only ones on the field susceptible to a football injury. So here are some tips on how to treat injuries inflicted by football.

Ankle – sprains. These injuries are most often the result of the ankle being twisted inwards, causing soft tissue damage around the ankle joint. Bracing or taping the ankle for added support can help to lessen the likelihood of these injuries. Once sustained, rest and icing is important, and seeking rehabilitation to strengthen a weakened ankle is critical.

Leg – hamstring strains. This injury happens when hamstring muscles are forcibly stretched beyond their limits, tearing the muscle tissues, and leading to pain.  A warm-up can help to avoid a hamstring sprain because it readies the muscles and makes them more flexible. Depending on the severity of the strain, ice and rest can work to alleviate the pain, but visiting a sports medicine specialist for physiotherapy is also a smart idea.

Knee – ACL tear. There are a few different ways to injure the ACL, including direct impact or when the knee is twisted or landing on an over-extended knee.  Prevention can be difficult, but proper training can be beneficial to helping you avoid a painful ACL injury. As far as treatment goes, an ACL injury should be looked at by a specialist.  Treatment and rehabilitation may include physiotherapy or custom knee bracing.

Head – concussion. Most often caused by a strike to the head, concussions can be difficult to diagnose, especially because many consider simply passing out as confirmation that one has been sustained (but many concussions don’t even cause the person to lose consciousness). A helmet can be instrumental in concussion prevention too.  Regardless, if someone does suspect a concussion, diagnosis and treatment by a sports injury clinic experienced in concussion management should take place as soon as possible.

If you have sustained a football injury, don’t just suffer through it and try to endure the pain. Get the help and treatment necessary to living pain-free.

For more information about treating football injuries contact Athletic Edge Sports Medicine by calling 1 (416) 800-0800.

Dealing with Osteoarthritis of the Knee this Ski Season

The snowy conditions are making many of the hills in our region bustle with skiers and snowboarders who live for the cold and snow! This time of year offers many physical diversions as far as exercise, and skiing is a very popular one. However, if you suffer from osteoarthritis of the knee, you are likely aware that partaking in this kind of winter activity can spell major pains (both during and afterwards).

If you're an avid skier or boarder, the chances of you hanging up those boards or poles in exchange for some extended comfort in your knees is highly unlikely.  So if surgery isn’t in your near future, are your only options to ski or board through the pain (thereby inevitably worsening it) or quit this favoured activity altogether?

Here are some options to take into consideration when seeking answers and dealing with this painful condition.

1.     Knee Brace – generic knee braces are relatively easy to find and are easy on the wallet. However, here's the thing with generic knee braces: they're often quite bulky and uncomfortable, not to mention the fact that a one-size-fits-all brace may only fit a minority of the population. Instead, think about getting a custom knee brace. These are often far lighter, more comfortable, and made to fit the exact specifications of your body. A knee brace will help to stabilize the joints and keep pressure on areas that can be weakened by osteoarthritis of the knee.

2.     Viscosupplementation – this is another non-surgical option to help relieve the pain from osteoarthritis of the knee. It involves the injection of hyaluronic acid solution into the knee joint, which acts as a lubricating agent for bones to move more freely and also to provide shock absorption. Because there is no surgery, this treatment can be very effective after only a very brief period, allowing you to return to the hill soon after. With long-term use, viscosupplementation can reduce pain significantly. It can also reduce inflammation.

3.     Physiotherapy – physiotherapy is a well-known non-surgical treatment for osteoarthritis of the knee. Physiotherapy treatment can help to restore function and reduce pain a number of ways, including through the manipulation of joints for the reduction of scar tissue. Typical physiotherapy treatments may include massage, manual therapy or acupuncture. These can be used separately or as a combined regimen to help lessen the pain from osteoarthritis.

If you're looking forward to getting back out there and enjoying the ski season but are worried about pain in your knee joints, don’t be. These three options offer very attractive pain and ailment relief options without painful surgery that requires lengthy recovery time.

For more information about treatments for osteoarthritis of the knee contact Athletic Edge Sports Medicine by calling 1 (416) 800-0800 or visit us online at www.aesm.ca.

Athletic Edge Sports Medicine Steps Up on Stage

AESM is excited to announce that we just provided on-site physiotherapy to the cast of the stage productions Anything Goes, Disney’s Aladdin, and Once. We are also currently providing care to Heartbeat of Home which will be performing at the Ed Mirvish Theatre starting January 21^st through to March 2^nd 2014. 

We strive to keep performers performing at their best, and our Performing Arts Therapy Program is just one of the ways we do that!

 

Having Trouble Finding Ice Time? We’ve Got You Covered

This time of year, those of us playing hockey, whether casually or as part of an organized league, know how difficult it can be to find ice-time that fits both schedule and budget. So, with this in mind, we thought we’d help you out! Here's a great website we thought we’d share that lists all of the available ice-time in the GTA!  The site includes a list of arenas and their costs. Once you’ve determined the time-slot and rink that best suits your needs, you can then buy that ice time online – easy as 1-2-3! The site also makes it easier for minor league teams to organize and manage bookings. You’re welcome :-)! Here's the site link: www.findicetime.com.

Ok, so now that you're set with the time and place, let’s talk a little bit about what can happen once you hit the ice! Yes, we're talking about those common hockey injuries that plague players no matter their level of skill or play.

Most common hockey injuries include:

-        Concussion – Even with helmets, concussions are still fairly common in hockey (although the frequency is decreasing).  You don’t need to get knocked out cold to suffer a concussion. A hart hit to the head or a slam against the boards can cause a concussion too. Make sure that you know the symptoms of a concussion and seek out concussion treatment if you have any doubt.

-        Back injuries – Hyperextension that is commonplace in the arena can lead to avoidable back injuries. Avoid these by stretching and strengthening your core and lower back muscles.

-        Shoulder and elbow injuries – A contact-sport like hockey invites these kinds of injuries. Shoulder separations or broken collarbones can necessitate surgery, but sometimes non-surgical treatment can also be effective.

-        Hip injuries – Soft tissue injuries in the lower part of the body, such as a groin sprain, can be tough. Taking time-out to recoup may be essential.

-        Knee injuries – Hockey can be a killer when it comes to the knees – although the risk to hockey players is lower than with most other team sports. The way players stride along the ice, especially assertively, can lead to medial collateral ligament damage. 

Is surgery the only answer to most of these injuries? Certainly not. Many of them can be treated effectively with non-surgical treatment such as massage or physiotherapy, chiropractic treatment, viscosupplementation injections.  Even custom bracing can make a major difference.

This hockey season, don’t let a hockey injury or difficulties finding rink time keep you off of the ice! AESM has you covered. Contact us today at 1 (416) 800-0800.

New Year, New You – Shape Up with these Fitness Training Rules

We've all heard it: ‘New Year, New You'.  Such a common phrase at this time of the year! Setting a New Year’s resolution to get in shape is typical, but so is the swiftness with which resolutions are cast aside in exchange for a night on the couch or that indulgent dinner out.

Sure, we are all in favour of a New Year’s resolution that gets you motivated – but why should the date on the calendar be the arbitrary motivation? Why not use this often meaningless date (yes, we said it) to actually start something meaningful and great. If you really want to change something – change it! Don’t focus so much on the time of year as the paramount motivation for setting worthwhile goals.

That being said, if you're determined to use the New Year as a stepping stone, we want to help! Here are our top 5 fitness training rules to get you motivated - and keep you motivated.

1.     Build your fitness training gradually. Don’t hit the gym hard right out of the gate – especially if your body isn’t used to it. Start off slowly to re-introduce your body to changes and new demands. Think tortoise and hare here: slow and steady wins the race.

 

2.     Eat before and after exercise. We all know that when you are trying to lose weight reducing your caloric intake is important. However, when you reduce it too much your energy level will suffer. If your fitness plan includes working out, make sure that you are eating before and after you hit the gym. Choose foods that are high in protein and slow-burning carbs pre-workout, and a small snack directly after working out to help with muscle growth.

3.     Change it up.  While finding your groove will help you shape a routine, it can also lead to boredom. If you are bored, you’ll be less motivated to continue. Switching your program will help keep things new and exciting – and it will also help you avoid the all-too-common progress plateau.   

4.     Don’t forget to rest. Your body can’t be going 24/7 – it will eventually crash. Your body needs to rest to be able to rebuild itself, so try and adhere to the rule that at least one day a week should be an exercise-free day. Skipping the rest portion of your program may put you at higher risk for injury and slow your progress.  

5.     Setting a plan and sticking with it sometimes isn’t enough – if you know that you are a sucker for temptation, why not get someone who can motivate you and keep you on track?  Get in touch with a fitness trainer who can help you establish markers along your fitness journey. These professionals can give you advice and guidance that are keys to success.

This New Year, don’t fall prey to the New Year’s resolution breakdown – stay motivated using these 5 fitness training rules to achieve the results you want. Good luck!

For more fitness training rules or to get in touch with a fitness trainer contact Athletic Edge Sports Medicine by calling 1 (416) 800-0800 or visit us online at www.aesm.ca.

Hockey Pain? Ease the Stress with Active Release Therapy

It's that time of year again: NHL teams are out there battling on the ice for the highly coveted Mr. Stanley. Players work their butts off both on and off the rink to stay in shape to perform at their best. Inspired by the big-leagues, this is also the time of year when fans and amateur players head out for a game of pick-up or organized league face-off. So what do all of these players have in common, no matter their level of play? The pain that is often inevitable when it comes to playing hockey!

Even though hockey can be dangerous because of the level of contact and intensity, much of the hockey related pain players suffer is caused by overuse – pain that slowly develops over time as a result of repetitive stress on different parts of the body, specifically muscles, tendons, bones, and joints. In the initial stages these injuries may not seem super difficult to deal with (often players just attribute them to an overly forceful game or not enough stretching), but if left untreated they can just get worse.

So, what can you do to treat these overuse injuries? Active Release Therapy.

What is Active Release Therapy (ART)? ART is an advanced form of massage therapy that uses over 500 different patented moves to reduce or eliminate pain most often caused by injuries due to overuse. The combination of movement and massage works to treat pain in nerves, tendons, ligaments, muscles and other connective tissue in your body. ART isn't a treatment that just anyone can perform.  The training is extensive and you have to be a licensed practitioner to put these techniques to use.

And ART is not like a typical massage – there are no soothing melodies or hot stones here. It isn’t meant to be relaxing, it's meant to relieve pain. The whole idea behind ART is that scar- tissue on or between the muscles causes them to shorten and become weaker, thereby leading to pain and discomfort. ART identifies that scar tissue and works to break it up, allowing for a much greater degree of movement.

Regardless of whether you play professionally or just enjoy a competitive game of shinny on the weekend with friends, sudden hockey injuries or those resulting from overuse can wreak havoc on the body. This time, why not try something different? You might be surprised at how effective ART is at easing those aches and pains.

Why let pain take the excitement out of the game you love?

For more information about how Active Release Therapy can help you overcome hockey related pain contact Athletic Edge Sports Medicine by calling 1 (416) 800-0800.

Toronto Public Skating – Get Ready with Physiotherapy Treatment

Skating is iconic in Canada and has long been a favoured winter activity for many Canadians. Lacing up those skates with family and friends is a great way to stay healthy while having fun over the winter months. And good news: free Toronto public skating makes this wintertime activity even easier!

Starting in November, the Natrel Rink at Harbourfront Centre offers free public skating 7 days a week. Skaters can enjoy the outdoor rink, music and the beautiful views of Lake Ontario, all while getting in some winter exercise. The rink even provides skate and helmet rentals – so if you don’t have your own equipment you can still get out there on the ice.

The Harbourfront Centre is by no means the only location to offer free public skating. Here is a short list of just some of the other rinks around the city offering public skating on a regular basis:

o   Agincourt Rec Centre – Wednesday and Thursday from 4:30-6, Saturday from 6:30-8 pm.

o   Bayview Arena – Sunday from 2:30-4:30 pm, Wednesday and Saturday from 7-9 pm.

o   Downsview Arena – Sunday from 3:45-4:45 pm, Wednesday from 7:15-9:15 pm, Saturday 7-9 pm.

o   Herbert H.Carnegie Centennial Centre – Sunday from 12-2 pm, Monday from 6:45-8 pm, Tuesday 12:30-2:30 pm.

o   McGregor Park Community Centre – Thursday 6:30-8 pm, Friday 4-6 pm, Saturday 7:15-8:30 pm.

o   Park Lawn Rink – Sunday 4:30-6 pm, Friday 6:45-8:15 pm, Saturday 3:15-4:45 pm.

o   Pleasantview Community Centre – Sunday from 2:30-430 pm, Tuesday and Saturday 7-9 pm.

o   Victoria Village Arena – Sunday 2:30-4:30 pm, Monday 7:30-8:30 pm, Saturday 7:30-9:30 pm.

For a more detailed list of Toronto public skating rinks, visit Toronto.ca. Also bear in mind that times may change over the course of the season, so make sure to check updates regularly.

Before you head out on the ice, remember that whether you skate on a regular basis or just like to enjoy the occasional spin around the rink, there is always a chance of injury.  If you are suffering from a skating injury, or are dealing with another injury that you fear might impact your ability to pull off the perfect triple axel to impress your friends, professional treatment might be wise.  Physiotherapy can work wonders for an injury or pain that can affect your skating prowess – so consider talking to someone at a sports medicine clinic before you lace-up.

For more information about Toronto public skating or to find out about how physiotherapy can help get you ready, contact Athletic Edge Sports Medicine by calling 1 (416) 800-0800 or visit us online at www.aesm.ca.