Ice Treachery - Treating a Running Injury

When the winter comes and you’re getting ready to trade those summer running shoes for your more sturdy winter pair, any negative thoughts regarding heading out on icy trails may not be foremost in your mind. The feeling of running in the cool winter wind can be enticing, and the knowledge that your trails, so often crowded in the summer months, will likely be yours and yours alone, can be enough to make you forget about the threat of those slippery slopes. But just wait. When you get out there and sustain a winter running injury – an all too common occurrence –proper treatment will be essential.

Any seasoned runner should know that running in the winter comes with a whole host of additional opportunities for injury, and as such, needs to be approached a bit differently than your summer running regimen. Clothing type, stretching, goals, etc., are all things that change with the changing seasons. For example, increasing speed and distance are often not advised in the winter months, and warming up is often suggested as an indoor activity when it gets colder, rather than outdoors in the summer.

So, you’ve prepped yourself as much as possible, but that icy patch was unavoidable (often because it went unnoticed), and you’ve sustained a running injury. What now?

Attending a running injury clinic is often the best place to start. Since every individual running injury is unique, by starting with a thorough assessment of your situation and pain, a registered sports medicine physician can better determine the best route to take to return you to your peak. This assessment will include a running shoe analysis, a treadmill running assessment, and a computerized gait analysis to help develop that customized recovery plan.

Once that plan is in place, what kind of treatment might you expect? Well, depending on the type of injury, its location, and its severity, treatment may include:

• Physical therapy to reduce pain and inflammation
• Strength training exercises to help build up the muscles in the injured area.
• A custom knee brace to help reduce pressure and tension on the knee.
• Custom orthotics to deal with foot pain.

In addition to these few treatment methods, various other forms may be used – with the added benefit of not only treating your running injury, but also preparing you for an injury-free future.

Don’t let a winter running injury hold you back from doing what you love. For more winter running tips or to seek treatment for a running injury, please contact Athletic Edge Sports Medicine today by calling 416 800 0800 or visit www.aesm.ca.

Treating Chronic Pain with Chiropractic Treatment

Whatever the cause, thousands of Canadians suffer through chronic pain on a regular basis. Whether as a result of an injury (a car accident or sports-related injury) or an unrelated condition (sciatica), chronic pain can be debilitating and make even the simplest daily tasks harder.

What exactly is chronic pain? Chronic pain is just that, pain that continues to persist after the expected time frame, and often doesn’t respond well to typical treatment or pain management techniques.  It can affect various parts of the body, and can be intermittent (coming on at different points during the day) or present all the time.

This is where chiropractic treatment comes in. A registered chiropractor, one trained to assess chronic pain and administer treatment can bring significant relief.

Prior to any form of treatment, your registered chiropractor will assess your pain, learning how and why this pain is present – it is essential to know what is causing the pain before attempting to treat it. Following this assessment and diagnosis, your chiropractor will develop an individualized plan to address the issue. A one size fits all approach to treating chronic pain will not work for most, and so a unique plan of attack is what will be the most effective.

After your chiropractor has determined the source of the pain, a variety of different treatment methods may be used to help decrease the pain and increase mobility. This treatment most often involves the use of manual spinal manipulation to help restore alignment to the structure of the body, thereby alleviating pain without surgery or medication.

Active Release Technique and Graston Technique are two forms of chiropractic treatment that are also becoming more popular because of their effectiveness at treating chronic pain. Both work (in different ways) to break down or reduce the amount of scar tissue that builds up following an injury.

Kinesiotaping is especially effective when treating a sports injury. It is used by chiropractors to help stabilize and support muscles and joints while offering flexibility – this can be a great way to help curb the pain while out enjoying your favourite activities.

If you find yourself suffering throughout the day because of chronic pain, stop ignoring the pain and get some actual relief. A chiropractor can work with you to find it!

For more about chiropractic treatment for chronic pain, please contact Athletic Edge Sports Medicine today by calling 416 800 0800 or visit www.aesm.ca.

Beat the Food Blues at Winterlicious with Tips from a Registered Dietitian

This is the final week to taste test at Winterlicious Toronto 2015; this fun annual event is an exciting culinary experience that gives you a chance to indulge, tasting cuisine from around the world at a price point that won’t leave you feeling overdone. For all of you foodies out there, this is a great opportunity to get out there and try something new, exotic, or even traditional – and you’ve got 200 of Toronto’s top restaurants to choose from!

Wait – what if you’re trying to watch that figure? Does Winterlicious sound like just the type of temptation to make you fall off the wagon? Besides the usual ‘make reservations in advance’ type of tip, here are some others from a registered dietitian that will help you stay on track and let you enjoy everything this great event has to offer.

1. Start by asking for the nutritional information for whatever dish you are most interested in.
2. When dining with a friend, split the main course and start with a house salad with low fat dressing. These days, meal portion sizes are often far larger than we need them to be (we’ve all left a restaurant feeling full after attempting to finish everything on the plate), so splitting the meal not only saves the dough, it saves you from that doughy feeling afterwards.  
3. When choosing from the menu, look for options that contain items from all four food groups: vegetables and fruit, grain products, milk and alternatives and meat and alternatives. This works to make the meal more balanced.
4. Try to skip the fried dishes – we know this can be difficult – but baked, broiled, roasted or grilled foods taste just as good and are way better for that waistline. Use this tip any time you dine out – and it never hurts to ask the server if a dish listed as fried can be done differently.
5. Also, try to skip those dishes that are covered in rich (meaning high fat and high sodium) sauces or gravy – or at least ask for them on the side so that you can control the amount you are eating.

Taking advantage of Winterlicious doesn’t need to mean gaining back those hard lost inches – just be smart about how you indulge and you will find that it doesn’t have to be that tough!

For more tips to stay fit and still enjoy food please contact Athletic Edge Sports Medicine today by calling 416 800 0800 and speaking with our registered dietitian, Stefanie Senior, or visit us online at www.aesm.ca.

Athletic Edge Sports Medicine: We’re Hiring!

Athletic Edge Sports Medicine is currently seeking an individual to join our team of medical administrators. We are looking for a part-time candidate with excellent customer service skills, a positive attitude, and the ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment. Responsibilities will include answering phones, booking appointments, processing payments and assisting with patient flow. A background in medical administration is preferred but not required. Knowledge of Microsoft Word, Excel and Outlook a must, and knowledge of ABEL a definite bonus.

If you believe that you are the right fit for this position, please email your resume to sandy@aesm.ca.

Getting Ready for World Masters Games with Athletic Therapy

This week, Quebec City hosts the Winter World Masters Games. For the past 20 years, the Summer World Masters Games have been a huge success, and as a result, the birth of the Winter Games in Bled, Slovenia in 2010 is being followed up by this year’s event – and being held in Canada no less!! Athletes from across the world will join together to compete in a number of events and test themselves and each other for top position.

For many athletes, events such as these are the pinnacle of an athletic career, and for good reason, but when pain from a prior injury or from overuse is present, the prospect of competing can hamper any excitement. One of the best ways to prepare yourself for any sporting event, and to rid yourself of the pain that may negatively impact your performance, is with athletic therapy.

First of all, what is athletic therapy? Athletic therapy is the treatment and rehabilitation, as well as the prevention, of musculoskeletal injuries. This is done by a certified athletic therapist, trained in the effective assessment and treatment of pain caused by an injury. An assessment of physical function first evaluates an injury, and a diagnosis and treatment method determined. An athletic therapist’s goal is to help a patient recover as quickly as possible, safely returning to the game at peak level.

What method might be used to treat an injury or pain? Depending on your unique injury or pain, an athletic therapist might use a number of different treatment methods to aid in your recovery and rehabilitation. These might include various rehabilitative techniques, therapeutic modalities, physical reconditioning and supportive taping and strapping procedures to help promote optimal healing and get you back on the field safely.

Athletic therapy might also be used in combination with other forms of physical treatment, including massage therapy, physiotherapy, chiropractic treatment or osteopathy. Again, the method for treatment differs according to your unique situation, and is determined by your therapist.

Whether you plan on participating in the Winter World Masters Games or not, if you have suffered an injury that is keeping you from performing at your best, athletic therapy might just be the answer – especially if faster relief that is focused primarily on your effective and efficient recovery is your goal.

For more about the benefits and treatment methods of athletic therapy, please contact Athletic Edge Sports Medicine today by calling 416 800 0800 or visit www.aesm.ca. 

Super Bowl Fans Unite – Just Beware of Football Injuries!

Next weekend sees University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Arizona as host to the 49^th annual Super Bowl! Football fans across North America will gather together in bars and living rooms, indulge in some football fare and many will even grab a ball and host their own super bowl playoff game in the backyard or local park. But if you are like one of the many fans out there suffering from football injuries, the thought of an impromptu pickup game can leave you with a bad taste in your mouth.

Although most are mild to minor, and are often the result of contact, there are a still a vast number of common football injuries that plague players no matter the level of play:

• Injuries to the knee and leg

• ACL/PCL injuries
• Various sprains and strains
• Shin splints
• Pulled muscles, groin or hamstring
• Head, neck and shoulder injuries
• Concussions
• Torn rotator cuff
• Shoulder separation or dislocation
• Foot and ankle injuries
• Ankle sprains and strains
• Achilles tendonitis
• Back Injuries
• Muscle strains
• Lower back pain

So what are you to do if you’ve sustained one of these and suffer from the pain on a regular or intermittent basis? As many football injuries are minor, and thus don’t require surgery (just make sure to visit your sports medicine specialist to have a professional diagnosis – don’t attempt to diagnose or treat yourself - EVER!), there are some really effective treatment options available that can get you back on the field.

Physiotherapy – the manual manipulation of the injured area can go a long way towards recovery and rehabilitation of a football injury. It works to increase flexibility, strengthen muscles and reduce pain and swelling.

Chiropractic treatment – by adjusting and manipulating misaligned joints, chiropractic treatment can be incredibly effective in not only significantly reducing pain but also restoring normal function.

Concussion management – concussions can be incredibly difficult to diagnose, so even the slightest indication of a head injury should be looked at by a trained physician. Proper concussion management can determine whether a concussion has been sustained, and treat the injury accordingly, helping an injured player return to work and play safely.

If you have sustained a football injury, your best bet for recovery is to visit a sports medicine clinic. A physician trained and experienced with treating sports injuries specifically can assess your injury and use their vast knowledge and appreciation for your love of the game to get you back to peak performance levels as quickly as possible.

For more on treating common football injuries, or any other sports related injuries, please contact Athletic Edge Sports Medicine today by calling 416 800 0800 or visit www.aesm.ca.

Back in the Game: Treating Pain with Sonocur Shockwave Therapy

When we suffer from pain, no matter the source or location, often our immediate solution is to stop taking part in physical activity. If pain makes your favourite sport unenjoyable, stopping all together is a sad but all too common choice made by many of us. On the other hand, some of us decide to play through the pain, not seeking treatment until things have gone far past bad – which isn’t always the best decision either. Instead of ignoring the pain or foregoing your favourite pastime, perhaps it is time to think about an alternative solution to treating the pain: Sonocur shockwave therapy.

What is shockwave therapy? A non-invasive yet highly effective form of treatment, during Sonocur shockwave therapy treatments, high-intensity sound waves are sent into the tissues of the impacted area of the body. It won’t cause tendon damage and there is no downtime following treatment – you don’t need to take time off work or sit on the bench for an extended period of time. Shockwave therapy is conducted by a medical professional (a physiotherapist or chiropractor most often), trained in applying this form of treatment to achieve maximum results. The number of treatments will depend on your unique situation, following a thorough assessment of your individual injury.

What are the benefits? This type of therapy has a number of different positives, including helping to increase metabolic activity, accelerating new blood vessel growth and scar tissue breakdown, decreasing inflammation, stimulating the reabsorption of calcium deposits in tendons and stimulating the natural healing process of the body. Together, this all works to greatly reduce pain.

Sonocur Shockwave therapy has been shown to assist in the treatment of a number of different ailments, many of which are quite painful and can keep you from your favourite sport for a lengthy period of time, if not indefinitely. Included in this list are:

• Tennis elbow and Golfer’s elbow (epicondylitis)
• Rotator Cuff Tendonitis
• Biceps Tendonitis
• Jumper’s Knee (patellar tendonitis)
• Runner’s Knee (iliotibial band syndrome)
• Quadriceps tendonitis
• Achilles Tendonitis
• Plantar Fasciitis and others

If you are suffering from any one of these ailments, Sonocur shockwave therapy may just be the treatment that affords you real relief. As a non-invasive method with little to no downtime, it can be an effective means to getting back on the field without pain holding you back.

For more about Sonocur shockwave treatment and its many benefits, please contact Athletic Edge Sports Medicine today by calling 416 800 0800 or visit www.aesm.ca.