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.

Toronto Waterfront Marathon: Beat Knee Pain with an ACL Knee Brace

Runners get ready – the 25^th annual Toronto Waterfront Marathon is fast approaching, and participants are gearing up for the races! This wonderful event, in support of a number of different charities, gives participants the chance to get out there, take in some of the city sites, have some fun and get in a great run! Whether you are an avid runner or just want to dress up and run with a team, this is a fantastic way to do it!

However if you are suffering from knee pain as a result of a torn ACL that might keep you from beating last year’s time, joining in might not be as exciting as it should be. If this is the case, and you feel as though your knee pain is seriously holding you back, it might be time to think about getting some relief from the pain in the form of an ACL knee brace.

ACL injuries are very common, especially for runners. The ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) is a ligament inside your knee, and an ACL injury occurs when this ligament is torn, often because of rapid deceleration when running, or sharp, sudden changes in direction. Improper or heavy/stiff-legged landings or even sharp twists to the knee are also common causes for an ACL injury. When an individual suffers an ACL injury, the result is often pain and instability. Sometimes these types of injuries do require surgery to repair the tear, but other times a knee brace can help significantly.

So how can an ACL knee brace help? In a number of different ways. Firstly, whether you have had surgery to repair a tear, and are therefore using the brace for post-op rehabilitation, or if the tear did not require surgery and your doctor has suggested a knee brace, the end goal is likely the same. An ACL knee brace can not only help you to rebuild the muscles in the knee and redistribute weight evenly, it can also reduce further wear and tear by providing much needed support.

Instead of walking your way through the Toronto Waterfront Marathon, help celebrate 25 years ‘running’ by visiting a sports medicine clinic today and being fitted for a custom ACL knee brace and get the relief you need.

For more information about how a custom ACL knee brace can help you get relief, contact Athletic Edge Sports Medicine by calling 416-800-0800 or visit www.aesm.ca/?utm_medium=social&utm_source=blogger    

Tennis Elbow Symptoms After the US Open

With the US Open just behind us, tennis fans and players alike were cheering on those big names out there making a play for the championship trophy and staggering amount of prize money up for grabs. This year’s hopefuls have come out swinging, showing their skills on the court, and making a play for that ever-elusive title.

That being said, as any tennis player knows, no matter the level of play, tennis injuries can wreak havoc on your game, and tennis elbow symptoms specifically can keep you from the court.

What is tennis elbow? Also called lateral epicondylitis, tennis elbow is a very common tennis injury that often occurs as a result of overuse, injury, or a strain of the tendon that connects the forearm muscles to bone on the outside of the elbow. Called tennis elbow because it often effects tennis players, it isn’t actually limited to tennis players, but the occurrences are far higher within this sport.

Tennis elbow symptoms occur as a result of the inflammation caused by the overuse or injury of the tendon. This most commonly results in pain and tenderness, but can also lead to wrist and hand grip weakness, pain when the elbow is bent, pain in the forearm, and pain when fingers are strained against resistance.

Although there are not often severe complications from this injury, leaving it untreated can result in chronic pain – that is why it is so important to have any pain or injury examined by a trained sports medicine specialist to diagnose and rule out any serious issues. As with any sports injury, seeking the best medical attention as soon as possible helps ensure the best possible treatment and the shortest recovery time.

What might treatment of tennis elbow include? Depending on the severity of the issues, your doctor might prescribe exercise or rehabilitation to get you to a pre-injury state. Physical therapy might also be suggested as a way to alleviate or eliminate the pain. Treatment may also include corrective training to help avoid the behaviour that led to the injury initially, or a custom elbow brace to help strengthen and reduce stress on the elbow while playing.

Tennis elbow symptoms can be painful, and if left untreated can become progressively worse. Don’t let overuse or an injury keep you from competing indefinitely.

For more about treating the symptoms of tennis elbow please call Athletic Edge Sports Medicine today by calling 416-800-0800.

Toronto Oktoberfest – How a Registered Dietician Can Help You Beat the Temptation

It is that time of year again – bring on the beer and bratwurst! Toronto Oktoberfest begins next weekend, October 3-4, and enthusiastic revellers in their lederhosen will be out in droves enjoying the festivities. But wait – all that merriment and all of those munchies can wreak havoc on your midsection! Instead, take these tips from a registered dietician to the bank and help beat the temptation.

Tip #1: Eat breakfast – and lunch if you are not going until later. We honestly can’t stress this enough. Thinking that a missed meal will help you feel less guilty because of the extra calories isn’t a great way to start things off. Instead, all that this approach is likely to do is encourage you to eat more. It is kind of like going grocery shopping on an empty stomach – if your tummy isn’t telling you off before you even get to Oktoberfest, you are less likely to indulge over the course of your time there. Stock up on a low fat, high protein meal before you go and you won’t feel so inclined to try absolutely everything this event has to offer.

Tip #2: On that note, no matter what, don’t try absolutely everything this event has to offer. We know, it can be tempting to want to taste test all of the best Bavarian fare placed in front of you – but try and hold yourself back. Peruse the offerings and then choose the one or two items that really strike your fancy. Also, maybe this is a ‘cheat day’ but it is always smart to keep those healthy eating habits in mind. When in doubt, always try and pick the healthier option – we are sure that no matter what you choose, it will all be delicious!

Tip #3: Of course we are saving the best for last (or perhaps in this case it is the worst) – limit your alcohol consumption. What! We know – it is Oktoberfest, but booze is really just empty calories and a wicked kick in the butt the next morning, so like with food choices, pick a few top contenders and sample away.

In the end, we all know that eating healthy is super important, but we also know that it can be super difficult. If you find yourself struggling to eat healthy, even on a semi-regular basis, maybe it is time to get some support. Even just having a registered dietician plan out your weekly meals, taking into consideration your likes and dislikes, can make a huge difference.

For more on healthy eating, both during and after Oktoberfest, or to talk with our registered dietician, Stefanie Senior, please visit http://aesm.ca/?utm_medium=social&utm_source=blogger   

RBC Run for the Kids: Get Ready with a Running Injury Clinic

This Saturday, Mel Lastman Square will be the start and end point for the annual RBC Run for the Kids event in support of youth mental health. Offering something for everyone, from the seasoned to the beginner, the race features a 5k, 15k, and 25k race. Last year this event raised over $1.2M, helping to fund the Family Navigation Project at Sunnybrook. The stakes are high - can this year bring in even more?

Again, whether you are a seasoned runner or someone who knows the benefits and is planning on making running a part of your regular exercise routine, there are important things to remember – not least of which being that injuries are often an unfortunate occurrence and therefore something to pay attention to.

What are we talking about? Well, some of the most common running injuries, not surprisingly, are those that effect some part of the leg: knee, calf muscles, Achilles heel, etc. Sometimes these injuries are unavoidable, thanks to things like falls, but often they can be avoided.

Runner’s Knee, or Patellofemoral pain syndrome, is a very common injury among runners. Symptoms include pain in and around the kneecap caused by the irritation of the cartilage on the underside of the kneecap, typically flaring up during or after longer runs or while descending hills. Treatment depends on the severity of the injury, but could range from exercise regimens that help to strengthen the quads, hips and glutes, to a custom knee brace to help reduce pressure and tension on the knee. Visiting a running injury clinic to have the pain diagnosed is the best place to start.

Achilles Tendinitis is another very common running injury, most often caused by too much stress placed on the tendon, thereby causing the tendons to tighten and become irritated. This injury can be very painful and so seeking treatment immediately is the best way to ensure no further damage is sustained. Treatment may include physical therapy or a focus on strengthening the calves during your regular training exercises.

It should come as no surprise that the foot is also very vulnerable when it comes to running, and therefore the fact that Plantar Fasciitis represents 15% of all running injuries shouldn’t be shocking.  Plantar Fasciitis pain, caused by inflammation or small tears of the tendons and ligaments in the foot, often effects those with very high or very low arches, but other risk factors may include increasing distance too quickly or even weak core muscles. A running shoe analysis done through a running injury clinic is a great way to assess the injury and develop a plan to rehab it.

Running can be a great activity with some amazing health benefits – but it can also be painful if your posture, regular fitness routine, or even your running shoes leave something to be desired. Before (or after) you sustain an injury, visit a running injury clinic to ensure optimal results, all the time.

For more about common running injuries or to find out about visiting a running injury clinic, please contact Athletic Edge Sports Medicine today by calling 416-800-0800.

Get Back on Your Feet, Literally: OTC versus Custom Orthotics

When it comes to foot pain, no matter the cause, getting relief is a major priority. Since you spend so much time on your feet, whether it be at work, at home, at the gym or on the court/field/ice, getting rid of that pain is essential. One of the best ways to do that is with foot orthotics, but with so many options available it can be difficult to know which option is best, especially when it comes to over-the-counter (OTC) versus custom orthotics.

Check out this great video from Health Choices First: http://www.healthchoicesfirst.com/category/orthotics-pedorthists/general-content/otc-vs-custom-orthotics.

In it, Pedorthist Jody Weightman discusses the differences between OTC and custom orthotics. As she states in the video, both of these options are designed to do similar things, including supporting the arch and evenly distributing weight to balance the pressure. But there are some important differences as well.

-        The shape – OTC orthotics are quite generic in their shape, designed to fit most shoes- but are therefore limiting in the fit as far as the style of the shoe. Custom orthotics on the other hand are made more to fit the anatomy of the individual foot, so they typically have better results.

-        The material – custom orthotics are made from a different material than OTC ones, material that lasts longer and holds up better to wear and tear.

If you are thinking about dealing with your foot pain through foot orthotics, that is great – just make sure that you are actually going to get relief! As shown in the video, custom orthotics are your best bet when it comes to effectiveness and results, especially when it comes to the following conditions:

-        plantar fasciitis

-        patellofemoral syndrome

-        lower back pain

Instead of looking for a one size fits all orthotic, think about having a custom orthotic made to fit your foot, based solely on your foot.

For more about custom orthotics and how to get relief from your foot pain please contact Athletic Edge Sports Medicine 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.