Musculoskeletal Pain: Reasons and Treatment
Musculoskeletal disorder is one of the most common medical conditions. It affects the body’s movement or the musculoskeletal system, which includes muscles, bones, nerves, ligaments, and tendons. The most common symptom of the musculoskeletal disorder is pain, which can range from mild to severe and from acute to chronic. It can be widespread or localized in one area.
The causes of musculoskeletal disorders are varied. The disorder is often related to old age or injury. However, it can also be caused by work activities that are frequent and repetitive, resulting in postural strain over time. Daily activities cause wear and tear of muscle tissue. Pressure to an area — such as a fall, jerk, sprain, fracture, dislocation, or direct blow to the muscle — can also cause musculoskeletal pain. Other causes include repetitive movements, overworking of muscles, and prolonged immobilization. Musculoskeletal pain is usually best relieved by treating its cause.
Types of Musculoskeletal Pain
Some of the common types of musculoskeletal pain include:
- Bone pain: This most commonly results from an injury and is usually deep and penetrating.
- Muscle pain: Muscle pain is often less debilitating than bone pain. It can be caused by an injury, infection, tumor, autoimmune reaction, or loss of blood flow to the muscle. Muscle pain can also lead to muscle spasms and cramps.
- Joint pain: Joint injuries often cause stiffness and aches. The pain may range from mild to severe and gets worse when the joints are repeatedly moved. Injuries may also lead to swelling and inflammation of joints.
- Ligament and tendon pain: Pain in the ligaments or tendons is usually caused by injuries such as sprains. This type of musculoskeletal pain aggravates when the affected area is moved or stretched.
- Fibromyalgia: This is a condition that may cause pain in the muscles, ligaments or tendons. The pain is usually felt in multiple areas. Fibromyalgia is sometimes accompanied by other symptoms.
Symptoms of Musculoskeletal Pain
- Aches or stiffness of the body
- Fatigue
- Sleep disturbances
- Twitching muscles
- Burning sensation in your muscles
People with musculoskeletal pain can suffer from dull body aches. Their muscles feel like they have been stretched or overworked. Sometimes, the muscles can twitch or burn. The symptoms of the musculoskeletal disorder can result in restricted body movement, interfering with routine activities like walking or typing.
Musculoskeletal Rehabilitation with FCBS Dubai
We, at FCBS Dubai, offer musculoskeletal rehabilitation therapy to help clients ease their pain and discomfort, maintain strength and range of motion and improve their ability to perform daily tasks.
- Use of electrotherapy modalities (pain-relieving machines) like TENS (Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulator), IFT (Interferential Therapy) and muscle stimulator for pain relief.
- Exercise programs to improve range of motion (passive and active).
- Stretching and strengthening exercises to improve flexibility and mobility.
- Gait (walking) retraining methods for safe ambulation using walker, cane, etc.
- Patient and family education and counseling.
- Ergonomic advice for work-related injury prevention.
Our DHA Approved Physiotherapists can diagnose and treat your pain, so you can live pain-free!