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. [...]

Have you been experiencing stabbing pain in your shoulder each morning lately? If this has been happening even though you haven’t sustained an injury to your shoulder joint recently, then the problem most likely stems from your sleeping posture. How Does Your Sleeping Posture Lead to Shoulder Pain? We’ve all heard about the importance of maintaining a healthy posture as we go about our daily activities, be it while we’re sitting, standing, or walking, the position we carry our body in impacts our musculoskeletal system. This applies to the position we sleep in as well. Certain sleeping postures and positions can put additional strain on our shoulder tissue, causing us to wake up with an aching shoulder. If you continue to sleep in this position, then the pain and stiffness is likely to worsen. [...]

It’s that time of the year again! Winter is here, and that means the special winter sports we love and enjoy so much are in full swing! While the list of winter sports played in Canada is endless, here are the top three sports that have a special place in our hearts. Hockey You can’t not talk about hockey when discussing Canada’s most popular winter sports! Considered to be the country where the game was born, hockey (otherwise known as ice hockey) is the biggest sport played in Canada, and has thousands of fans and enthusiasts. As popular as it may be, however, hockey is also a major contributor to sports-related injuries. Ankle sprains, shoulder injuries, and ACL and PCL tears are particularly common among hockey players, be it amateur or professionals. That hasn’t stopped [...]

Arthritis is one of the most common chronic health conditions in Canada, affecting a huge chunk of the population. While it has over a hundred different types, it mostly manifests as rheumatoid arthritis or osteoarthritis. How can you lessen the pain caused by this disease through a healthy diet? By incorporating these 3 foods. Fatty Fish It’s hard to resist a pan-seared salmon with broiled asparagus or say no to a tuna sandwich. These two are amongst the most widely consumed variants of fish, combining flavour and ease of cooking. However, this is not the only thing fatty fish like salmon and tuna are good for. In fact, for individuals with arthritis, they are the perfect form of meat to incorporate in their diet. Fatty fish such as the two mentioned above and other varieties [...]

Chronic joint pain isn’t common among senior citizens and older adults. It manifests in different ways, often presenting as a symptom of arthritis. As you age, your muscle groups lose their flexibility and strength. This can lead to recurrent or persistent pain and stiffness in your joints. The good news is, joint pain can be prevented through a number of stretching exercises. Here’s a look at a few of these exercises that you can try at home. Calf Stretches Calf stretches are helpful for reducing the muscle tightness in your ankles. They are also particularly effective for allowing you to squat down while maintaining your balance. Calf stretches can be done in a standing position against a wall. Start by standing straight such that you’re facing the wall and place your hands against the surface. [...]

Computer usage can severely affect your posture and cause musculoskeletal discomfort. This is especially likely to happen if you use computers for long stretches and/or too frequently. However, you can improve your postural health by taking the right preventative measures. Here are a few mistakes you should avoid making while using the computer. Slouching As much as we may try to sit up straight, we do end up slouching every now and then. While it isn’t advisable to sit in an upright position all day long (that can give you a back ache too!) you should try holding that position as much as you can. This is especially important if you spend most of your day using a computer at your desk. Slouching or slumping over in your seat adds additional pressure on your spine. [...]

Despite the hip joint’s ability to withstand repeated motions and wear, hip injuries are all too common. Research has shown that physical activity affects the onset of hip pain in individuals. However, determining the exact cause of hip pain can be tricky. Here’s what may be causing your hip pain. Arthritis Arthritis is the most common cause of hip pain. It exists in two forms: rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis. The former is a chronic inflammatory condition of the hip joint. Osteoarthritis is a degenerative disease that causes cartilage breakdown. As a result, the hip bones rub against each other. This then causes pain, stiffness, reduced range of motion, and discomfort. Bursitis Hip bursitis is an inflammatory condition of the bursae. These are pillow-like sacs filled with liquid and are located between tissues. For instance, bursae are [...]

Hand osteoarthritis is a prevalent musculoskeletal disease and is one of the biggest contributors of hand pain and ailments. It doesn’t just affect elderly individuals; it can also occur during early adulthood. However, while osteoarthritis of the hands affects a huge chunk of the Canadian population, it isn’t the only ailment that causes immense hand pain.  Here are three other musculoskeletal conditions that may be aggravating pain and discomfort in your limbs. De Quervain’s Tenosynovitis De Quervain’s tenosynovitis is an inflammatory condition of the two tendons near the base of your thumb. When these get irritated, they swell up. This, in turn, exerts pressure on the surrounding nerves. The result is immense pain, tenderness, and numbness at the area near the base of your thumb. You can identify De Quervain’s tenosynovitis through the following symptoms: Wrist [...]

Research has shown that injuries are the biggest cause of disability and death among travellers. While most of these are attributed to road traffic and accidents, they also include unintentional injuries caused by improper equipment, poor postural health, and other seemingly trivial actions. These can cause severe musculoskeletal ailments and disorders. The good news is, additional and unwarranted muscle stress can easily be avoided while you’re travelling. Here are a few ways you can ensure an injury-free vacation. Strategise Luggage Handling   You don’t want to start your trip by being weighed down by all the bags you’re carrying. Even if you’ve packed light, holding the luggage for long durations can be physically exhausting and may cause muscle strains. The best way to avoid this is by strategising how you’ll be carrying your belongings. For [...]

What is arthritis? It is an inflammation of the joints, affecting one or multiple joints. Many different types of arthritis exist but the most common two are osteoarthritis (OA) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Did you know? Approximately, 350 million people are affected by arthritis worldwide.