Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury is commonly seen in sports such as soccer, rugby, and skiing. Although many individuals initially recover well, the ongoing instability often prevents return to sports and leads to further knee injury, and the risk of developing future osteoarthritis becomes increased. Bracing is rarely sufficient. Surgical reconstruction performed early, within 3-6 weeks, helps to minimize the risk of further injury. ACL surgery should be treated as an urgent matter: assessment, diagnosis, and surgery can usually be completed within a few weeks. The athlete, elite, or weekend-warrior can then start early rehabilitation to maximize the benefits of the knee reconstruction.

Athletes are always looking to get into “the zone” – a balance of attention, concentration, and confidence. Quick thinking is crucial to making decisions that can be the difference between winning and losing a game. Neurofeedback is a tool that allows for identifying the areas of an athlete’s brain that are responsible for mental flexibility, task switching, and rapid decision-making. This allows an athlete to control how their brain reacts to stress, which in turn can help achieve peak performance. Neurofeedback training can help an athlete increase their cognitive abilities, while reducing the white noise of distractions around them.

A sacroiliac belt (SI belt) used during the training part of your physiotherapy program is often recommended for both pain relief and support of the sacroiliac joints and/or pubic symphysis. SI belts are used as an adjunct during core muscle training and act both to provide mechanical support and sensory input to remind the brain which muscle(s) need ‘waking up’. Your physiotherapist can perform a couple of simple tests to determine whether an SI belt is recommended for you. Diane Lee’s patented Pelvic Support belt will help support your pelvis specifically where it is needed the most during your training period.

Not all learning has to happen during school hours. If your child seems to have to put more effort into their schoolwork than their peers do, an after-school program could give them the extra brain boost they need. Additional time spent strengthening the brain can help it to change and grow through the principle of neuroplasticity. This can increase your child’s self-esteem and social connections. After-school programs that strengthen the brain’s capacity for learning increase the brain’s efficiency, which makes school less tiring and keeps your child focused and on track to be their academic best.

Osteoarthritis is generally caused by progressive wear and tear on our joints that results in the breakdown of our joint cartilage. When cartilage breaks down, the bones start to grind against each other, creating inflammation in the joint. These changes are what cause you to experience painful symptoms. The degenerative process itself may not be painful, however the resulting inflammation and irritation to surrounding muscles, ligaments, and tendons usually cause you to experience uncomfortable and sometimes debilitating symptoms. Cold laser therapy offers an innovative treatment for a variety of acute and chronic, often painful, conditions like osteoarthritis.

Getting kids ready to go back to school can be challenging after a carefree summer. Starting to re-establish a schedule before school starts again is a great way to help kids ease into the new school year. Another way to prepare your kids for future success in school is to start a Registered Education Savings Plan (RESP). It’s a tax-free investment account that is used for your child’s post-secondary education, and the government contributes an additional 20% to the plan each year. A trusted investment advisor can help you start saving for your child’s future.

Being in a car accident (MVA) can be a severe and life-altering event. Although many people do make a full recovery shortly after their accident, others experience pain and psychological difficulties that endure longer. This may include: experiencing feelings of anxiety; feeling “on-edge” when driving; flashbacks and nightmares of the accident; or even an overall feeling of helplessness of ever feeling “normal” again. Counselling, specifically Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), has shown to be effective to help individuals overcome the trauma of an MVA.

Q: What is IV Nutrient Therapy? A: Vitamins, minerals, and amino acids are directly infused into the bloodstream, bypassing the digestive system and allowing for maximum absorption. Q: Who can benefit from IV Nutrient Therapy? A: Almost everyone can benefit from faster, more effective nutrient absorption into the body with minimal, if any, gastrointestinal side effects. Intravenous therapies have been known to be beneficial for, but not limited to, chronic fatigue, anxiety, low immune system, infections, hormonal irregularities, pain management, inflammatory conditions, weight loss, pregnancy, autoimmune conditions, neurological conditions, migraines, detoxification, heavy metal toxicity, and athletic performance.

Sunscreen is one of the most important daily steps you can take to protect the health and beauty of your skin, and there are two main types. Physical sunscreens contain the natural minerals zinc oxide and titanium dioxide to create a barrier between your skin and the sun. These products don’t absorb into the skin and are ideal for children and those with sensitive skin. Chemical sunscreens contain ingredients such as Avobenzone and Octinoxate that are absorbed by the skin and create a chemical reaction to change UV rays into heat that is then released from the skin. Chemical sunscreens are safe for most people who don’t have sensitivities. Choose a high-quality product with an SPF of at least 30 and use it daily, including on cloudy days, to lower your risk of skin cancer and help prevent wrinkles. Great skin at any age – Let us show you how!

VO2Max, or maximal oxygen uptake, is the measurement of the maximum amount of oxygen a person can utilize during intense exercise. It is a common measurement used to establish the aerobic endurance of an athlete prior to or during the course of training. When testing your VO2Max, you will learn your optimal training zones to better guide your workouts. With summer in full swing, many athletes are preparing for the fall race season. If you have ever thought about having your VO2Max tested, now is the time to get your numbers in order to fine-tune your training.

When determining how to treat back and pelvic pain, many health professions focus on what hurts, rather than on why it hurts. Physiotherapists often look at back and pelvic pain in terms of how those regions function to gain a better understanding of the causes behind pain in those areas. The team at Diane Lee & Associates uses a novel approach that combines manual therapy and dry needling to release tight muscles and stiff joints followed by motor learning, using real-time ultrasound for biofeedback, and movement training. This combined whole body approach teaches the patient how to use their body in a more efficient way to avoid problematic habits in the future.