Sports and energy drinks are the craze among the teens to thirties. They are touted to improve energy and alertness. But surprisingly few people know what they really contain.

Reduce your risk of heart disease and stroke by walking regularly. It’s great cardio exercise, lowering levels of bad cholesterol while increasing levels of good cholesterol. A brisk 30-minute walk every day helps to prevent and control the high blood pressure that causes strokes.

Did you know that sitting puts more stress on your spine than standing? Office work typically involves a lot of sitting, usually in front of a computer. To avoid developing lower back problems, it’s critical to use an ergonomically designed office chair. Ergonomics is the science of workplace equipment design intended to maximize productivity by reducing fatigue and discomfort. An ergonomic chair supports your lower back and helps maintain good posture. There are many types of office chairs and…

The term ‘shin splints’ is often used by athletes to describe pain along the length of the tibia (shin pain). There are many causes of shin pain, therefore the broad term of shin splints is not in itself accurate and is now considered outdated in the medical field. Causes of shin pain include compartment syndrome, which we look at under its own heading, nerve entrapment, vascular insufficiency, inflammation and bone stress.

Plantar fasciitis is the most common cause of heel pain. It is an irritation or inflammation of the plantar fascia — the ligament that runs from the heel to the ball of the foot. This is a strong, dense strip of tissue that supports the arch of the foot, almost like the string on an archer’s bow…

Spinal cord injury results in neurological damage below the level of the injury. In a complete injury there is loss of sensation and motor function; in an incomplete injury there is some preservation of the sensory and/or motor function below the level of the injury. The extent of dysfunction also depends on the location of the injury. For example…

Good posture demonstrates confidence, vitality, and overall well-being. As we age, our posture tends to deteriorate, resulting in drooped shoulders and a rounded back. Our modern lifestyles are also a big contributor to bad posture. However, it is possible to prevent bad posture (and possibly improve it) as you grow older. A “neutral” spine is the foundation of good posture…

The quadriceps are the four large muscles at the front of the upper leg that help to stabilise the knee and hip and allow movement. The rectus femoris is the most commonly injured because of its location at the front of the muscle. The most common type of injury is a…

Runner’s knee or iliotibial band (ITB) syndrome is the name given to a condition that causes pain on the outside of the knee in the area of the lateral epicondyle – bony prominence on the outside of the knee. The iliotibial band is a sheath of connective…

One of the most commonly seen wrist injuries is carpal tunnel syndrome. This is a condition where the median nerve which supplies the hand becomes compressed. Wrist pain, numbness and tingling are the usual signs of carpal tunnel syndrome. The primary causes are sprains, strains or fractures and repetitive use of the wrist. The condition is more common in women and diabetics. Therapeutic measures include…