Musculoskeletal disorders and injuries are among the most common ailments experienced by adults. Be it chronic shoulder pain, knee joint stiffness, or carpal tunnel syndrome, musculoskeletal ailments can severely affect the quality of your life and restrict your movement as well as flexibility. Unfortunately, many people resort to invasive and risky surgical procedures for their condition that can be otherwise treated. Here are a few minimally invasive procedures to consider for your treatment. Acupuncture Dating back more than 2000 years, acupuncture is a form of Traditional Chinese Medicine that’s often used for treating musculoskeletal ailments. Similar to dry-needling, the technique involves inserting fine needles in your skin strategically in order to promote physical wellness. The minimally invasive procedure takes effect by stimulating the pressure points on your body being targeted. These trigger points are [...]

It's normal to experience a clicking/popping sensation when you walk, bend or lunge but, if it's also accompanied by swelling or pain, you must pay a visit to your doctor. Approximately, 4.6M Canadians suffer from osteoarthritis.

Over the last ten years, instances of musculoskeletal conditions have increased by 25 percent globally. In countries like Canada that have ageing populations, the prevalence of these conditions is even higher. Advanced medical care has improved overall life expectancy, but quality of life for many senior citizens has fallen. To prevent the onset of musculoskeletal ailments, you need to understand why they are so common in older people. That’s why we’ve answered some FAQs to help you remain healthy as you age. What is the musculoskeletal system? Your musculoskeletal system comprises bones, muscles, joints, and other connective tissue that support and connect these components. It is responsible for providing stability to the body. How does the musculoskeletal system change as we age? Over time, the musculoskeletal system undergoes several changes that decrease the body’s tolerance [...]

Every year, over 500,000 Canadians injure their hands at the workplace. What’s worse, if adequate safety measures had been taken, these injuries could have been prevented. The first step toward prevention is awareness. In this piece, we’ve outlined four common hand injuries—other than bruises and lacerations (cuts)—that you should know about. Sprains Damage incurred by the ligaments in your hands is known as a sprain. Ligaments are connective tissues that hold your bone and cartilage together. They can tear if you twist your hand at an awkward angle—which is why thumb and finger sprains are quite common. Symptoms include pain, swelling, bruising, and difficulty moving the part of your hand that’s injured. To treat the sprain, avoid unnecessary hand movements for the next few days and apply a cold compress to relieve the pain. You [...]

A torn meniscus is a common knee injury that’s usually caused by the forceful twisting or the hyper-flexing of the knee. Symptoms include swelling, knee pain, and limited motion. There are a variety of treatment options for a torn meniscus. To help you get a better overview of each, we’ve evaluated them here. Physical therapy Physical therapy is a non-surgical option that can be used to treat small tears. There are several exercises that a physical therapist can advise; the most important thing to remember is that maintaining proper form is vital for recovery. Meniscal tears generally require about eight weeks to heal completely if the injury is located within the red zone. The red zone is the blood-rich portion of your meniscus—it can heal on its own with just physical therapy because blood can [...]

PRP treatment is one of the most popular forms of alternative medicine. It’s widely recommended by physicians and eagerly sought by individuals because of its minimally invasive nature. Should you consider getting PRP therapy? If you experience any of the following, yes! You’re Suffering from Chronic Joint Pain Chronic joint pain is an unfortunate reality for older Canadians. It becomes even more unbearable when the pain is persistent, returning every few months with the same intensity as before. If you’re experiencing chronic pain in your knee, shoulder, elbow, or hip joint, PRP treatment can help. It’ll help alleviate the pain and prevent it from returning. It’ll also improve your flexibility and range of motion, allowing you to continue with your daily routine without joint pain getting in the way. Your Muscle Injury Isn’t Getting [...]

PRP therapy has burst onto the professional sports scene in recent years, being used to treat elite athletes such as basketball legend Kobe Bryant, golf icon Tiger Woods, and now tennis star Rafael Nadal. Even though the treatment has been around for several years, it’s only now starting to gain popularity as an alternative therapy. It’s minimally-invasive, effective and requires little to no downtime. So what is PRP treatment used for? And who should opt for it? We’ve answered all your questions here. 1. Older people One out of every ten people who get surgery is 65 or older. As you age, the need for surgery increases—but so does the risk of complications during surgery. Common health problems related to ageing, such as heart problems and high blood pressure, can increase the risk of complications [...]

Keeping your musculoskeletal system healthy is vital for all ages, but our bones get weaker as we age, they become thin and lose their density. This makes you more prone to injury.

At the Rio 2016 Olympics, Andre De Grasse became the first Canadian to win Olympic medals in all three sprint events. In 2017, he was all set to dominate the World Athletics Championships, that is until he suffered an unfortunate second-grade injury to his hamstring. The following year, a second injury to his right hamstring cut his season short for good. While he did eventually make a late return that year, he was unable to match his Rio 2016 performance. Despite rest and rehabilitation, the injury had taken a permanent toll on him. Hamstring injuries have the highest rate of recurrence compared to any other gait-related injury. They involve a strain or tear in the muscles near the back of the thigh. Traditionally, the recovery process requires around four months of extensive rehabilitation exercises. However, [...]

Osteoarthritis is a progressive joint condition that affects one in six Canadians, according to the Arthritis Society of Canada. It is the most common form of arthritis, with estimates saying that by 2035, the number will go up to one in four Canadians. Early diagnosis can control the severity of osteoarthritis. But for this, people must understand what the symptoms and risks associated with the condition are. That’s why we’ve outlined the common causes and treatment options for osteoarthritis right here. What is osteoarthritis? Osteoarthritis (OA) is a condition where the cartilage protecting the ends of bones breaks down. It can occur in any joint in the body, but the joints most commonly affected are your knees, hips, hands and spine. Symptoms include joint pain, swelling and stiffness, but can also affect your daily function. [...]