Chronic pain affects the lives of nearly 50 million people throughout the US and according to a recent study, only little over half the people suffering from chronic pain are able the successfully manage their symptoms. The rest often resign themselves to very limited lifestyle that is restricted by chronic pain.

The summer is the perfect time to improve your health and fitness levels with so many great outdoor activities to choose from. However, the increased heat and humidity that is part of the summer season should be taken into consideration when planning your workout or any physical activity. Here are a few fitness tips for the summer:

Shoulder arthroscopy was first developed in the 1980s. It allows the surgeon to look inside the joint, identify and possibly treat a shoulder problem through tiny keyhole incisions. The procedure is often performed in an outpatient setting with the patient being allowed to go home on the very same day.

Scoliosis is an abnormal curvature of the spine that is usually seen in children between 10-15 years of age during the growth spurt just prior to the onset of puberty. About 2-4% of people in the US are affected by this condition. Scoliosis Awareness Month is celebrated in the month of June to help raise awareness regarding the diagnosis and treatment of scoliosis. Here are 5 interesting facts about scoliosis:

Osteoporosis is a bone thinning disease that can result in fractures. It is considered a “silent” disease as many people aren’t aware they have osteoporosis and are diagnosed with the condition only after they have sustained a fracture due to very minor trauma. As May is National Osteoporosis Awareness and Prevention Month, here are the top ways to prevent osteoporosis:

Arthritis is a term that refers to a group of diseases that cause pain, stiffness, and swelling of your joints. Symptoms may be mild, moderate, or severe and may come and go, but generally worsen over time causing immobility and restrict your ability to perform activities of daily living.

With May being National Arthritis Awareness Month, let’s look at some tips to keep arthritis from slowing you down:

The explosive nature of the golf swing and the many hours spent in practice on the golf course can result in nagging injuries, which if left untreated may cause permanent damage to your musculoskeletal system. Here is a list of 7 common golf injuries and how they can be treated:

Did you know certain foods may be able to reduce aches and pains in your joints? As this is National Nutrition Month, let’s focus on inflammation-fighting foods that bolster joint health.

1. Salmon: One of the richest sources of omega-3 fatty acids, salmon also contains calcium, vitamin D, and folate, all of which are vital for strengthening your bones.

2. Sweet peppers: They are excellent sources of vitamin C, vitamin B6, and folate. Sweet peppers preserve bone health and protect cartilage cells.

If you often experience knee pain with routine activities such as climbing a flight of stairs, walking, or when standing up from a seated position and you have tried pain medications, injections, and physical therapy without much relief, it may be time to consider knee replacement surgery.

With the current advances in knee replacement surgery, you may be back on your feet the same day as the surgery and be discharged home within a day or two.

Since its first emergence in the 1980s, minimally invasive surgery has been gaining ground in the surgical arena over traditional open surgery. Here are some interesting facts about minimally invasive surgery:

Smaller incisions: Instead of a single large surgical incision as made in open surgery, minimally invasive surgery involves the use of 2 or 3 smaller incisions through which specialized instruments may be inserted to perform surgery.