Athletic Therapy & Physiotherapy Part 1

How similar are athletic therapy and physiotherapy? 

Here at Academy Massage this is a question we are frequently asked by those clients seeking the correct course of therapy for pains and/or injuries they might have incurred through various physical mishaps. In fact, as far as treatment procedures go, there is very little difference as both employ manual therapy, modalities, acupuncture and prescribe proper exercise.

The main difference between Athletic (or Sports) Therapy and Physiotherapy is in the education and training as each has a specific scope of practice and designation: A Certified Athletic Therapist in Canada is CAT(C), and a licensed physiotherapist is PT. In this, the first installment of our two-part May blog, we will discuss the practice of Athletic Therapy.

A Certified Athletic Therapist specializes in injury prevention and the immediate care and rehabilitation, should an injury occur, specifically as it relates to team sports or one's individual athletic regimen, be that running, swimming, handball, a strenuous workout at the gym - or even training for an upcoming marathon or triathlon. The prevention program includes musculoskeletal (the muscles, bones and joints of the body) and postural evaluation, a warm-up procedure and conditioning, prophylactic or supportive taping, proper equipment selection, fitting and repair, and adapting the individual to the activity, environment, and facilities. They are also likely to be participants in sports and therefore understand these specific injuries and the demands placed upon athletes in order to compete.

The Athletic Therapist is also trained to assess, evaluate and provide the proper treatment to acute sports trauma. This may include applying on-site first aid or preparation for entry into an appropriate health facility. Athletic therapists frequently employ an aggressive treatment protocol to facilitate the healing process, and have yielded quite successful results. Because of their overall effectiveness in trauma prevention and injury management, Athletic Therapists work closely with professional and national teams, and also in sports clinics across the country.

The education and training is comprehensive and intensive. Athletic Therapists must possess an undergraduate degree from an accredited institution as well as an advanced certification in Athletic Therapy. In addition, they are required to intern at least 1200 hours of practical experience divided into 600 hours of clinical and 600 hours of on-field experience under supervision of a Certified Athletic Therapist. Once candidates have completed these internship hours, hold a valid CPR and First Aid Certificate, and have written support from their supervisor, they are required to write a three-hour examination. 

Candidates must also complete two practical exams which focus on emergency care, modalities, assessment, taping, and rehabilitation. After successful completion, they must maintain good standing with the Canadian Athletic Therapy Association to receive the CAT(C) designation. It is a demanding training schedule that is necessary to ensure injuries are both properly evaluated and attended to.

Whether preparing for an athletic event or suffering pain from a sports-related injury, we recommend that you book an appointment with Academy Massage to discuss with one of our certified and qualified Athletic Therapists the treatment best for you.

The Healing Therapy of Acupuncture

Originating as a centuries-old healing remedy of traditional Chinese medicine, acupuncture continues to be recognized as an effective drug-free therapy for pain and other physical - and even emotional - complaints and is among the most widely practiced forms of alternative medicine not only in the east but throughout the world. Because acupuncture is designed to increase the level of whole body health, the treatment not only reduces pain immediately but can prevent a recurrence of pain in the same area.

Among the chronic conditions that have benefited from acupuncture are migraine headaches, osteoarthritis, neck and lower back pain, and allergies. Encouraging results have even been seen for those living with fibromyalgia. As well, people suffering from anxiety, fatigue, depression, insomnia and even adverse chemotherapy side effects and addictions have reported excellent results from this alternative treatment. Acupuncture has been shown to provide positive effects on the nervous system, digestive system, endocrine and immune system and cardiovascular system.

Acupuncture works by stimulating the body's various systems. This is achieved by inserting thin, sterile needles into specific points in the body, called acupoints. These acupoints connect with certain pathways ("meridians") that carry vital energy (or chi) throughout the body. In treatments for conditions such as arthritis, acupuncture points are stimulated all over the body, not just directly over the affected area. The needles stay inserted in the area(s) for a set amount of time, and are then removed. The length, number and frequency of treatments varies according to the intensity of the pain, and its persistency with the patient.

According to traditional Chinese medicine, physical pain is caused by blockages. These blockages impede the flow of chi and disrupt well-being and ultimately can lead to sickness and infirmity. By stimulating the proper acupoints, acupuncture helps to correct and balance that flow, clearing up blockages and opening the circulation in the affected area to eliminate pain, promote healing, and increase vitality throughout the body.

Acupuncture relief is threefold. First, it causes the body to secrete endorphins and other natural pain relievers, which inhibit the perception of pain naturally. Second, it blocks the transmission of pain signals to the brain through the nervous system. Thirdly, it deactivates trigger points. Trigger points are tender and extremely reactivate areas that develop within muscles. The result of acupuncture is the relaxation of both mind and body.

Acupuncture is a safe and relatively painless procedure (with the benefits far outweighing any minimal discomfort you may experience), but the treatment should be carried out by a qualified therapist. The specialists at Academy Massage are trained in the practice of acupuncture and invite you to visit our office where we will work with you to identify your pain and fashion an effective treatment plan designed to heal your body.

In today's active and fast-paced world people are prone to injury or occurrences resulting in physical or emotional distress. Whatever your pain, acupuncture can provide the solution. At Academy Massage we remain committed to strategies and treatments to help keep you on your toes. 

World Health Day 2015 - April 7th

Since it was established in 1948, World Health Day has been celebrated every year in recognition of the founding of the World Health Organization. WHO is the leading global authority within the United Nations.  Each year WHO organizes international, regional and local events on April 7 that focus on a health challenge or theme intended to foster awareness to a current global health issue. In past years such topics as global polio eradication, maintaining healthy blood pressure, ageing and health and even the effects of climate change and road safety have been addressed. The theme in 2015 year is Food Safety, a relevant topic given the increasing globalization of our food supply and the need to reinforce food safety systems in and between all countries. This in addition to widespread concerns at home over unsafe food preparation and handling and the serious if not potentially fatal health problems that can result from carelessness or neglect.

It has been estimated that food containing harmful substances ranging from bacteria and viruses to parasites and chemical substances has been responsible for more than 200 diseases including diarrhoeal disease, reproductive and developmental problems, and various cancers. Contaminated food has contributed to the deaths of some 2 million people each year - children numbering among the highest in this disturbing statistic. Viral disease caused from the consumption of tainted food has been of a specific concern since the first Ebola cases were linked to contaminated bush meat.

A safe and nutritious food supply is essential for maintaining good health. Unfortunately, new food safety threats are constantly emerging, creating greater concerns to the general public as well as drawing greater attention from government agencies. These threats can be attributed to changes in food production, distribution and consumption, along with changes to the environment, new and emerging pathogens and antimicrobial resistance. Each pose a serious challenge to food safety.

WHO aids countries in the prevention, detection and in the responding to food disease outbreaks and, together with the UN Food and Agricultural Organization, alerts nations to food safety emergencies.

WHO advocates that food safety is a shared responsibility. This year the mandate of World Health Day is to educate not only consumers but all along the food production chain from primary producers and manufacturers to vendors - along with health practitioners and those who work in various government offices - about the importance of food safety so that everyone can play a part in ensuring that the food that we and our families eat is pure and healthy. 

Each one of us needs to be concerned about our health and the health of our community. World Health Day 2015 is a perfect opportunity for you to get involved. Academy Massage encourages our friends and clients to help spread the word about the importance of global health on April 7 using #safefood. Or you can participate simply by taking those first steps to improve your physical well-being through a diet and/or exercise program that will help motivate you to keep healthy and active as the sunny days of summer fast approach.

Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy and Cold Laser Therapy

In recent years new therapies have been implemented by alternative medical practitioners to help manage and to alleviate their patients' physical pain. Here at Academy Massage, we are committed to put into practice advances in technologies to help you, our valued clients, enjoy a better and more active quality of life.

One such therapy is Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy. "Extra-corporeal" means "outside the body" and refers to the fact that the shockwaves are generated outside the body by the device.  A shockwave is an intense, but very short energy wave traveling faster than the speed of sound.  ESWT employs these shockwaves to treat chronic, painful conditions of the musculoskeletal system, particularly those problems that occur where major connective tissues attach to bone.  The body responds by increasing metabolic activity around the site of pain. This repeated shockwave to the affected or injured area stimulates and accelerates the healing process, creating new blood flow into the area. It is this increased circulation that promotes tissue healing.

Conditions that have shown beneficial results through ESWT include: muscle pain and injuries, joint injuries, Achilles tendonitis or tendinosis, plantar fasciosis or fasciitis, connective tissue pain and degeneration and stress fractures.

Academy Massage advises that the number of Shockwave Therapy treatments varies depending on the severity of the injury. Our trained therapists will assess your condition and provide you with an estimate of the amount of treatments that has been found to be clinically appropriate to effectively treat your condition, and prevent it from returning. 

Another treatment that has proven effective in the reduction of acute, chronic or post-operative inflammatory pain is cold laser therapy. As with Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy, Cold Laser Therapy is a relatively new technology when compared to alternative therapies like acupuncture, chiropractic, and physical therapy. Cold lasers (sometimes called Low Level Lasers (LLL) or soft lasers) are safe and the procedure itself is quick - treatments are generally 1-2 minutes or less per area and most conditions require approximately 3 to 4 areas. The treatment is also painless as cold lasers do not generate heat. Cold lasers target acupuncture trigger points along with applying a broad coverage of tissue and bone with red light photons to reduce pain and accelerate healing. When laser light interacts with tissue, it causes certain photochemical reactions to occur which stimulate natural biological processes. Many of these reactions have beneficial effects on the body, which help to control pain and promote the healing process. Arthritis, tennis elbow, heel spurs, Achilles tendonitis, knee and back discomfort, among many other painful and debilitating conditions, have benefited from cold laser therapy. Healing time is dependent upon how chronic the condition is. While some patients with lesser injuries feel immediate improvement, more serious problems may require anywhere from 18–25 visits. Acute injuries generally require 8–10 visits.

Daily visits may be required at the beginning of your treatment schedule, but as your condition improves visits should decrease accordingly.

Academy Massage is pleased to include these two technologies as part of our successful alternative healing program. We invite you to visit our office and discover for yourself the therapeutic value of Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy and Cold Laser Therapy.

When and Why to see an Athletic Therapist

Contrary to what most people might think, everyone can benefit from a session with an athletic therapist.

The reason is that whether we are aware or not, each day in everyone's life we are doing something that requires athletic physical manipulation often leading to strain and pain. Simple activities such as gardening (spring is in the air!) and performing household chores involve movement that conceivably can result in injury or a muscular imbalance. Such non-related sports injuries may result from work-related injuries, motor vehicle injuries, repetitive strain injuries and pre- and post-surgery conditions. A common complaint is chronic neck and back pain that has developed without any apparent trigger. Again, this can be the possible result of an unrecognized strain.

If you suffer from an ache or pain, the therapists at Academy Massage will assess your condition and provide the best and most effective treatment for your specific injury to help you return to the active lifestyle you enjoyed beforehand - and in fact, in most cases, to function in a condition noticeably improved prior to your injury.

Academy Massage also offers a program designed to aid in the prevention of strain or injury.

Whether you are dealing with an injury or want to prevent an injury from occurring, the athletic therapists at Academy Massage can tailor a plan to your specific need(s) so that you need not suffer the slings and arrows of physical discomfort.