*not affiliated with any specialty college
Contact : 416-385-0110
Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, we at the Sports Specialist Rehab Centre have modified staffing and operational hours in order to address the issue. We may be available to address acute and/or emergency cases. Please contact our office at 416-385-0110 for any questions or concerns.
We will all get through this, together.
Stay safe and healthy.
Here at Sports Specialist Rehab Centre, we are not only committed to your physical health but also your mental and social well-being. The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic represents a new territory that we are all navigating together and as such, the SSRC team will be keeping you up-to-speed with the latest developments in disease prevention, treatment options and self-management care. Thus, below you will find techniques to cope with stress produced as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
For those with suspected COVID-19 symptoms or those with related concerns, please use the online assessment tool found at Ontario’s COVID-19 info page or contact Telehealth Ontario at 1-866-797-0000.
Please visit Ontario’s COVID-19 info page for the latest information regarding the pandemic: https://www.ontario.ca/page/2019-novel-coronavirus
Walking – it’s the simplest thing you can do to get a workout in.
Even 15 minutes a day can start you on the path to an activity habit, keep in mind that movement is improvement! Walking is the easiest choice when the weather is agreeable but don’t let a little rain or light snow keep you indoors.
It’s easier to get into the habit of exercising if you choose a specific time daily. If you are a morning person, the best time for you to exercise might be before you go to work or after the kids are off to school.
Not a morning person? A walk during your lunch break will work up an appetite and aid digestion.
Alternatively, if the evening is the best time for you, schedule your walk after dinner and when evening chores are done.
The important thing is to decide on the best time for you and try not to allow other events to get in the way.
In mild weather, wear several light layers so that you can remove a layer as your body warms up from the activity.
If it’s a chilly day, bring gloves and a hat. You want to be comfortable and enjoy your walk.
Thin-soled, untied or loose-fitting shoes may result in a twisted ankle or sore arches – not the benefit you are looking for!
Wear footwear that is appropriate for the weather. Your walk will not be enjoyable with cold or wet feet.
It’s surprising how quickly you may become thirsty, even during a short walk.
The quicker the walk, the greater the benefits.
A companion is a good idea. Ask your partner, a friend or one of your children to come along with you.
Get your arms moving while you walk. Swing them gently front to back. As an added bonus, it will limber up your shoulder joints and muscles.
View your walk as an enjoyable break during the day – a time when there are no chores to do or deadlines to meet. Breathe deeply. Look up at the sky, the trees and the rooftops. Smile. Life gets better when you fit in a walk!
If you’re experiencing pain, consult a health care professional to assess your specific needs and identify a course of action that’s right for you. Canadian chiropractors are committed to helping Canadian’s get more physically active. A chiropractor can evaluate your strength and flexibility, and screen for anything that may limit your physical activities. Ask your chiropractor for an evaluation!
Most of us live in a hustle and bustle environment which can involve long hours with minimal breaks. In order to get through these days, a vast majority of us enjoy caffeinated beverages such as coffee or tea.
I personally enjoy no less then 3 or more cups of coffee or espressos daily! However, as many of us who enjoy coffee or tea will attest to, all that consumption can result in a full bladder and increased frequency of unrination. As a result, we tend to lose more water in the process, becoming progressively dehydrated. Now, off hand, that may not be very alarming, but a loss of too much water can lead to down stream affects such as muscle soreness or muscle cramping. For those who enjoy sports or physical exercise, this is anagolous to the muscle soreness or muscle cramping that can occur with excessive sweating without hydrating during physical activity. In order to minimize the likelihood of coffee or tea muscle induced soreness or cramping, I generally recommend to patients that with every caffeinated beverage you enjoy daily, consume an extra glass of water after you finish the caffeinated beverage. This can help minimize the water loss!
Enjoy your coffee and tea and get through your day! Just be mindful to hydrate a little more.
As our favourite characters on Game of Thrones love to remind us:
What they don’t teach us on that show is how to protect our bodies while combatting that winter weather. When the snow starts coming down, it’s important to know how we can prevent injury while shoveling.
The Ontario Chiropractic Association’s (OCA) campaign “Lift Light, Shovel Right” teaches us some great tips to keep our backs feeling good during the upcoming snowy season.
Don’t wait until the snowfall is finished. Shoveling smaller amounts at a time will put less strain on your back.
A lightweight plastic shovel, especially the pusher-type will help keep the weight of your load down. If you are using a metal one, the OCA recommends spraying it with Teflon first to prevent snow from sticking to the shovel.
If you do have to lift, make sure you’re bending from your knees and not flexing your spine too much. Try to maintain that natural curve of your lower back to help avoid injury.
It’s important to get your body warm and moving nicely before doing any strenuous activity. Something as simple as a short walk, even if you stay in one spot, can be very helpful to keep your body happy.
Sometimes we are too determined to finish our task and forget about the importance of rest. If you feel tired or out of breath, it’s important to take a break. Grab some water, stretch, shake out your arms and legs
Dear Colleagues,
Join me at the American Public Health Association’s 2019 Annual Meeting & Expo where the scientific research I co-authored will be presented. The APHA Annual Meeting is the premier public health event taking place Nov. 2-6 in Philadelphia, PA. With more than 1,000 cutting edge scientific sessions, 600 booths of information and state-of-the-art public health products and services, this is an extremely important meeting in the public health field.
My submission, titled “Application and effectiveness of educational programming in musculoskeletal evaluation and management led by chiropractors in a rural Ugandan population” is scheduled to be presented at session , “Public health & chiropractic “, at . View the session online for more details.
For general information about APHA2019 or to find out about other sessions and presentations visit the Annual Meeting home page.
I hope you can attend my presentation and join the public health community and APHA in exploring the latest public health practices and challenges.
Sincerely,
Marco De Ciantis
Read about Dr. Marco’s recent experience on his humanitarian mission to Uganda with the Toronto based organization Bridge to Health here!
We all know that everyone has their own favorite sleeping position. The hard reality is that some positions are safer than others. Below, Drs. Marco and Paolo De Ciantis will discuss the 3 most common sleep positions and how they can affect you!
Stomach Sleeping:
In general, sleeping on your stomach is the worst position. In order to breathe, your head has to be placed in a rotated and possibly extended position (if you’re using a pillow while sleeping) for a prolonged period. Over time, this rotated and extended position can result in muscle-tendon or even ligament injury resulting in a strain or sprain, respectively. In extreme scenarios, this position can even result in neck, upper back and even shoulder joint irritation or injury. While some may love to sleep on their stomach, it should be avoided.
Back Sleeping:
This is one of the safest sleeping position! In this position the body is allowed to maintain a natural anatomical position with the head being supported by a pillow and the back (upper and lower) supported by the mattress.
Side Sleeping:
Side sleeping is a double-edged sword having good and bad qualities. Sideline sleeping is great for individuals who are suffering from low back or pelvic pain. If you’re suffering from either, sleeping on your side (painful side up) with a small pillow placed between your knees (hips and knees flexed) can facilitate sleep and may alleviate some pain. This position can even assist those suffering from shoulder pain. Sleeping with the painful shoulder up and a small pillow between your elbow and rib cage can help. Over time, this position could also lead to joint or muscular discomfort so, if performed, it should be alternated with back sleeping in order to reduce the likelihood of injury.
If you should have any questions regarding sleeping positions, feel free to e-mail or call Drs. Marco and Paolo De Ciantis. Happy sleeping!
It’s a brand new year and for many of us this means setting new goals and personal resolutions. Focusing on improving our health and fitness is a common goal. For those looking to lose some weight this new year, to jump into an exercise program or just a desire to get active, walking is a simple and easy place to start. The knowledgeable staff at Sports Specialist Rehab Centre want to inform you why walking can make a real difference in your life this year!
Why Walk:
Health Benefits of Walking:
Social Benefits of Walking:
How to Start:
Didn’t think that the two could mix, did you? Well, they most certainly do!
This May 8th, after the Mother’s Day festivities are over, bring Mom along and join us at Civil Liberties for Cocktail Kinematics – a free industry event open to bartenders and cocktail making enthusiasts where we’ll dissect the proper biomechanics for making the perfect custom beverages in a way that reduces pain and improves technique.
With repetitive motions may come strains and injuries that cocktail creators can be subject to. We’ll observe technique, reccomend adjustments and also showcase the various wrist and elbow braces that will support you while mixing crowd-pleasing delicious drinks.
We’re so excited to be a part of this Toronto event that’s been HUGE in New Orleans!
See you on May 8th – cheers!