Musculoskeletal pain is a common problem in the general population. It has been estimated that up to 80% of people experience musculoskeletal discomfort at least once during their lifetime.
Most patients with chronic pain have multiple factors contributing to their symptoms. These include psychological factors such as anxiety or depression. These factors can be present even when there are no physical causes for the pain such as muscle tension, poor posture, and other structural abnormalities.
In addition, many patients will also have an underlying medical condition (such as diabetes) that contributes to their chronic pain.
What Causes Musculoskeletal Back Pain?
It can be challenging to determine precisely what is causing your musculoskeletal back pain. Especially if there isn’t any outward sign of what is wrong or you don’t remember doing something recently that may have hurt your back.
For example, when your back muscle and bone pain is caused by a car accident or a work incident, the diagnosis and treatment options can be relatively simple.
When the cause is unknown or when the pain sets in gradually, you may have to consult with your doctor for an in-depth checkup. This checkup will help to see what might be causing your musculoskeletal back pain.
Sudden Physical Trauma
Muscle and bone pain in the back that is caused by a car crash or some other sort of sudden physical action can be easier to treat than non-obvious causes.
Simply because there is very little chance that you’ll re-create the incident – and the pain it caused – in your daily life. However, musculoskeletal back pain can return in the future if the issue causes a permanent physiological change; it is essential to get the treatment you need as soon as you can.
Changes in your posture can bring musculoskeletal back pain. Sometimes this may be uncomfortable, while you might feel widespread pain at other times. The tendons and ligaments in your elbows and knees are especially vulnerable to intense musculoskeletal pain conditions.
Fibromyalgia is a chronic condition characterized by pain in muscles and joints. Women tend to be affected more than males. Patients with fibromyalgia often feel tired when they wake up, even if they say they slept well at night.
Chronic Musculoskeletal Pain
Back or muscle pain can occur in many parts of the body and can be caused by many things. Sometimes the pain can be minor, and after a short time, it will just go away; other times, it severe pain will flare up even after several treatments.
Chronic musculoskeletal pain syndromes can unquestionably be challenging to deal with. But here are a few pointers to help ease the persistent pain and contribute to a more enjoyable life.
If you’ve done all the therapy and taken all the medications your doctor has prescribed but still experience muscle or back pain now and then, the first things to do are learn your limits.
Whether your chronic musculoskeletal pain in your neck, back, or shoulders, any daily activity can stress your muscles, and some can worsen the pain. Roller coasters, horseback riding, taking a spin on your motorcycle are just a few activities that can trigger a flare-up in seconds.
It may be difficult to avoid activities that add stress to the affected area. But it is crucial to keep your muscular or bone pain from flaring up.
What Can You Do To Reduce Musculoskeletal Pain?
You can also learn ways to protect your entire body to reduce the soreness that chronic musculoskeletal pain often causes. Wearing a brace on your knee or back can allow you to enjoy your favorite activities, even if they stress the area where your chronic pain occurs. You may not be able to wear a brace all the time, and in those instances, you can perform specific treatments after participating in a trigger activity. For example, icing an affected area immediately after exercise will prevent swelling; subsequent heat applied to the site will help to relax the muscles.
Try a hot bath or a heating pad to help keep your pain at minimal levels. It’s also a good idea to elevate the affected area. In all cases, treat the soreness or discomfort immediately after participating in an activity that causes a flare. This is to ensure the chronic pain does not get out of control.
What Can Help Treat Musculoskeletal Pain?
Massage Therapy
Therapeutic massage can help relieve musculoskeletal neck pain. Massage works by passively working out the muscles and stimulating blood flow to the area that hurts.
The tension that builds up from muscle and bone pain in the neck can be released with a massage. Massage therapy can also help determine if you are experiencing general soreness or if there is a more specific problem. After all, a massage won’t relieve your pain if there is a bigger underlying problem.
Physiotherapy
Physical therapy can significantly help you restore strength to muscles that may be in pain. You usually increase the resistance or range of movement over time so that once you are finished with the course of treatment, your muscles are strong enough to handle what previously caused your pain.
Treatment Of Musculoskeletal Pain
Depending on what is causing your muscle and bone pain in the neck, your course of treatment will probably consist of plenty of rest and some other specialized treatment strategies.
In addition, your doctor may recommend several consults. These will range from a chiropractor to a masseuse or even a physical therapist if the pain is coming from weak or under-utilized muscles.
Muscle and bone pain in the neck will usually be alleviated partially with counter pain relievers that can reduce swelling and lots of rest.
However, if you put a lot of stress or strain on the tissue in your neck, it’s essential to allow those muscles to take a break from time to time. This will help them regenerate and repair themselves. In addition to that rest, a chiropractor may attempt to re-align the vertebrae in your neck to treat neck pain.
You will also be recommended to undergo cold therapy or other complementary therapies depending upon the source of pain.
BOTTOM LINE
When you experience musculoskeletal neck pain, it is crucial to figure out the location and possible cause of the pain. This is so that a doctor can give an accurate diagnosis and recommend the proper treatment.
Don’t allow chronic musculoskeletal pain to determine who you are. You can begin living with your chronic musculoskeletal pain by slightly changing your lifestyle, avoiding activities that will aggravate the pain, and preventing pain after trigger activities.
