Musculoskeletal disorders (MSD), also known as overuse injury or repetitive motion injury, are conditions that mainly affect one’s muscles, bones, tendons, ligaments, joints, or other supporting structures of the body. MSDs may trigger sudden and severe pain or discomfort in individuals. Some common musculoskeletal disorders include carpal tunnel syndrome that compresses nerves, tendonitis, tension neck syndrome, arthritis, and others. Here are the common causes, symptoms, and treatment options available to relieve and treat musculoskeletal issues.

Causes

Some common causes of musculoskeletal disorders are physical strain and force due to heavy lifting or repetitive movements that exert pressure on certain body parts. MSDs can also worsen due to one’s work requirements. For example, healthcare workers, nursing staff, and physiotherapists who manually handle patients are more likely to develop musculoskeletal pain. Physically demanding jobs, sports, poor fitness, prolonged awkward posture, and unhealthy health habits may all contribute to developing these conditions. Existing health problems like arthritis and fibromyalgia, which causes chronic joint pain, inflammation, fatigue, and tunnel syndromes that compress nerves, can be other causes of MSD.

Symptoms

Pain- Individuals may experience dull or severe aches, muscle cramps, spasms, and other forms of pain, either in certain body areas or in multiple parts at once. Musculoskeletal pain can happen due to bone fractures, poor posture, injuries, sprains, inflammation of joints, or even tumor and other health conditions. This discomfort usually worsens with increased physical activity.

Burning sensations and twitching – One may experience a burning sensation in the muscles or affected areas or involuntary muscular twitches.

Sleep problems and fatigue – Musculoskeletal disorders can often bring disturbances in sleep patterns and affect one’s quality of sleep due to pain and discomfort, thus leading to daytime fatigue.

Restricted range of motion – Musculoskeletal disorders can cause structural abnormalities and significantly impact an individual’s range of motion, resulting in limited mobility and making it hard to perform everyday activities.

Apart from this, one may also experience decreased strength and swelling. MSDs mainly affect wrists, back, hips, knees, feet, legs, and shoulders.

How is musculoskeletal pain diagnosed?

Any individual experiencing musculoskeletal pain must consult a primary healthcare professional immediately. The healthcare professional may assess one’s condition through various methods, from asking questions about the associated symptoms, including rashes, fever, and nature of pain, to requesting certain clinical physical examinations and tests. A physical examination may include a hands-on assessment of the extent and source of pain, while some tests may involve blood samples, CT (computed tomography) scans, x-rays, and Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

Treatments

A health professional may suggest a combination of physical therapies and oral treatments to help relieve musculoskeletal pain and treat the condition. Some common physical therapies can include-

Acupuncture – This complementary therapy relieves chronic musculoskeletal pain associated with the spine, neck, back, and lower back. The technique can include fire needling, warm needling, body or manual acupuncture, electroacupuncture, laser acupuncture, or even cupping therapy.

Chiropractic adjustment – Chiropractors evaluate a patient’s condition with physical examinations and diagnostic imaging to identify the root cause of the pain. They then use their hands or specialized instruments to apply controlled, sudden force to specific joints and restore alignment. This targeted treatment addresses the underlying musculoskeletal issues and provides long-term relief.

Occupational therapy – Occupational therapists treat and offer adaptive methods for those who work in professions prone to developing these disorders. They help individuals regain independence, reduce pain, and maximize their quality of life despite musculoskeletal problems.

Braces and splints – These devices support and immobilize specific body parts affected by MSDs and reduce pain, provide stability, and protect injured or weakened joints or bones. These are commonly used in conditions such as fractures, sprains, or conditions requiring joint protection. By providing support and limiting movement, braces and splints aid in the healing process.

Therapeutic massage – Therapeutic massage, a natural and non-invasive method of pain relief, may be used in conjunction with other treatments for musculoskeletal care. By targeting specific trigger points and applying pressure, massage therapy helps to ease muscle spasms, relieve muscle tension, improve blood flow, reduce muscle stiffness, and improve range of motion. Some massage techniques target the deeper layers of muscle and fascia, addressing chronic pain and releasing the tight knots that contribute to discomfort. Regular therapeutic massage sessions have been shown to promote relaxation, reduce stress, improve joint mobility, and enhance the body’s ability to heal.

Prevention

Besides these treatments, a health expert may suggest home remedies for better musculoskeletal care. It can include hot and cold therapy, stretching exercises, strength-building exercises, and even prescription remedies. One can also consider stress-reducing methods like mindfulness and relaxation practices can help release mental and physical strain, promote better sleep, increase circulation, and support the healing process, leading to improved musculoskeletal health. Furthermore, it is important to practice good posture and follow proper lifting methods in daily life, warm up before exercises, avoid jerky movements, and rest properly to ensure optimal health.