Costochondritis is an inflammatory condition of the chest. It affects the cartilage in the rib cage, especially near the upper ribs and the costosternal joint. The condition results in mild to severe chest pain, breathing difficulties, and may even lead to other health complications. What Causes Costochondritis? The exact causes of Costochondritis aren’t known. This condition typically results from a number of factors. These include: Traumatic Injury:A sudden impact or a sharp blow caused by a fall or an accident can result in a chest injury that leads to costochondritis. Physical Strain:Activities that entail heavy lifting and cause physical strain on the upper rib joint are also associated with the condition. Joint Infection:Infections occurring at the rib joint can also lead to costochondritis. Most prominently, viral respiratory infections and bacterial infections (such as those that [...]

Over 10% of Canadians are affected by knee osteoarthritis, which is a degenerative condition of the cartilage at the joint. Osteoarthritis (and other knee conditions that cause knee pain and stiffness) can easily be prevented if you follow the right health strategies. Here’s what you should do to improve your knee health. Exercise (Even When You Really Don’t Want To) We’ve all heard the age-old advice of incorporating exercise in our daily routines. Physical activity can help improve your overall wellness in various ways, be it lifting your spirits or reducing the risk of getting a cardiovascular disease. What you probably don’t know is that exercising also helps in strengthening your knees and keeping them healthy. The more consistent you are with your exercise regime, the better your knee health will be and the less likely you’ll [...]

There are three types of arthritis that affect your knee. The most common is osteoarthritis (OA). It's a painful condition that usually occurs after middle age. It wears away joint cartilage.

The inflammation of the cartilage that connects a rib to the sternum leads to costochondritis. Costochondritis, also known as costosternal syndrome or chest wall pain, is a painful condition that can be mistaken for a heart attack.

The hamstring tendons are the soft tissues that connect the muscles to the pelvis, knee and shinbones. Small tears occur when the tendons are overused or misused. They cause inflammation, pain and discomfort.

Carpal tunnel is a constant woe among Canadians. Triggered by the compression of the median nerve, it leads to huge discomfort and pain that may require surgical treatment if not tackled on time. What causes this condition? Let’s take a look. Repetitive Motions The most common reason for carpal tunnel syndrome is repetitive motions carried out frequently. This is mostly seen at workplaces where employees are required to perform repetitive tasks time and again, to the point that the constant flexing of the wrists damages the median nerve underneath. For instance, if you spend most of your day at work typing, using vibrating tools, or performing motions that cause your wrists to twist repeatedly or sway to and fro (e.g. driving a vehicle & janitorial work), the median nerve in your wrist is likely [...]

Medically referred to as lateral epicondylitis, tennis elbow is an injury of the elbow muscles that causes shooting pain in the upper forearm, just near the elbow. It can restrict your range of motion and prevent you from performing simple tasks involving you to lift objects or bend or stretch your arm. Who’s most likely to sustain this injury? Here are a few factors that may put you at risk. Age Tennis elbow is likely to affect individuals over the age of 30. In fact, most cases of tennis elbow involve individuals between the ages of 30 and 50. Muscle Overuse Another risk factor for tennis elbow is the overuse of the extensor carpi radialis brevis (ECRB) muscle. The ECRB muscle is located in the raised region of the humerus, and is crucial in the [...]

Shin splints refers to pain along the large bone (shin bone or tibia) in the front of your lower leg.

Cell therapies have come a long way since they were first introduced in medical practice. Amongst these is PRP therapy, which has become a popular choice of nonsurgical treatment for individuals who wish to avoid surgeries and other invasive procedures. Recently, however, the credibility of PRP injection therapy was put under major scrutiny. Here’s what Health Canada has to say about the alternative treatment form. Cell Therapy: An Unsafe Form of Treatment? Earlier this year, on May 15th, Health Canada issued a policy position paper outlining the potential risks and dangers of autologous cell therapy. The health body warned Canadians about existing clinics where unauthorized cell therapies, including stem cell therapy, have become common practice. The body emphasized that these unauthorized procedures aren’t only unsafe, but also haven’t been proven to be ineffective and therefore pose [...]

Arthritis exists in various forms and has a devastating impact on the affected individual’s quality of life. This health condition is widely common among Canadians. In fact, it’s estimated that 1 in 6 Canadian men and 1 in 4 Canadian women have arthritis. Osteoarthritis is among the several types of arthritis that impact Canadians, which has to do with cartilage degeneration. It mostly affects the knee joint, although osteoarthritis of the hip, shoulder, and foot are also common. Traditional Treatments for Arthritis Arthritis treatments, especially osteoarthritis treatments, don’t quite reverse or undo the symptoms of the condition. They do, however, slow them down and provide relief from pain and discomfort. Treatments typically involve: Medication Over-the-counter medications such as naproxen sodium and ibuprofen are useful in eliminating pain and reducing the swelling that often accompanies arthritis. [...]