It can be a nagging pain, an ache, or a sharp sensation at the back of your heel. The Achilles tendon and it’s associated injuries is one of the most common running injuries, especially in men. Our Achilles is the strongest tendon in our body, giving us the ability to store and release injury during runs, jumps and all kinds of athletic activities. Due to these high amounts of forces our Achilles must undergo, it makes it prone to overuse. In this blog we’ll cover the basics from what Achilles tendonosis is, how to treat it, and training + shoe…

Whether you’re a long time runner, or just getting into it now, you may have experienced the frustration of a pain in your shins. Shin splints are a common overuse injury in the running community, usually due to a new or a change in the training routine. Shin splints can be very frustrating to deal with as they can quickly ramp up in severity if ignored, and take you away from your normal routine to recover. In this blog, we’ll discuss the difference between shin splints and stress fractures in the bone, how to identify which one you have, and…

It’s a dull, aching pain around your kneecap that you can’t quite touch. Runner’s knee, or clinically known as patellofemoral pain syndrome (PFPS), is a very common cause of knee pain. The good news is, it us very treatable especially if you catch it early. In this blog, we’ll break down what runner’s knee is, how it happens, and tips to avoid it whether you’re gearing up for a marathon of just getting into running. What is runner’s knee? Runner’s knee isn’t as specific of a diagnosis as say, a hamstring strain. It is an umbrella term for pain where…

Most of us have experienced a muscle strain at some point in our lives. It might have been after running too fast, changing directions quickly, picking up something too heavy. Muscle strains, especially in the hamstring, groin and calves, are common occurrences for soccer players. What about soccer stretches these muscles to and beyond their limits? Why do soccer players experience muscle strains? Muscles are composed of many different fibres that work together as a unit. Muscle strains occur when muscle fibres get overstretched or experience too much force. Due to the nature of soccer, these movements happen regularly. For example, the quick starts, stops, and pivots all require muscles to be firing at full blast to generate and resist huge amounts of power. As these changes have to occur in split seconds, the muscles have to absorb then create this power in a very short amount of time, and…

Many people use the terms warm-up and stretching interchangeably when preparing for exercise. However, they are not the same thing and serve different purposes in preparing the body for movement.  Understanding the difference between warming up and stretching can help improve performance, reduce injury risk, and make exercise more effective. The National Strength and Conditioning is dedicated to the research and science of athletic performance, check them out for more detailed information! What is a warm-up? A warm-up is a period of low-intensity activity performed before exercise or sport that prepares the body for more demanding movement. The goal of a warm-up is to gradually increase: Heart rate…

Pregnancy is an exciting journey, but it can be nerve wracking as well when it comes with many changes in the body. Unfortunately, these changes usually have side effects which include nausea, discomfort, fatigue, soreness, and pain. This alongside a disruption in your normal lifestyle can be very hard to adapt to. Many will wonder whether there is anything that can help. As a result, a common question that comes up with expecting mothers is it safe to do exercises and if yes, what can I do?   The good news is that, with the right guidance, doing exercises not only…

When most people think about movement, the first thing that comes to mind is flexibility—how far you can stretch or reach. But there’s another equally important piece of the puzzle: mobility, and this is often the neglected one. While the two terms often get mixed up, they’re not the same thing. And understanding the difference can change the way you move and exercise. First, we’ll start by defining the two terms and how they come into play in your daily life. Next, we’ll describe general training principles for improving both, and where to find help if you’re struggling with poor…

Oftentimes, after a sports injury, especially if its minor, you might try for a couple days or weeks to see if it heals by itself. You may do some research online, try some exercises from a video, and take it easy for a while. Does this sound like you? Unfortunately, with this method, you may feel like you are not recovering, or your pain/injury is still stopping you from doing the activities you want. It’s frustrating, but in most of the cases, the issue is not what you’re doing but how you’re doing it. In physiotherapy, the ultimate goal is…

When we hear the word “falls,” we often connect it with an older generation.  While it is true that with increasing age the risk of falls also rises, it is a risk that can affect a person from any age group. Starting from childhood to young adulthood, from an athletic to or weekend warrior population.  At our clinic, we consider balance training an integral part of every treatment, whether it is geared towards performance improvement, prevention, or rehabilitation. No matter which age or activity level group you belong to, good balance is important to injury prevention, stability, and confidence in…

Pickleball has exploded in popularity in the last couple of years across North America, with outdoor courts and racquet clubs popping up everywhere. The appeal is obvious as a fun, competitive or casual, social sport that can accommodate all ages and fitness levels. Whether you’re previous athlete or just trying for the first time, the greatest draw of pickleball is it’s accessibility. As Physiotherapists, we have also encountered a lot more pickleball-induced injuries recently. In this blog we’ll discuss the most common ones we see and a couple of tips to help you stay injury free this summer! What are…