The pain that affects the muscles, ligaments, tendons and bones is referred as musculoskeletal pain.
Causes of musculoskeletal pain
There are several different causes of musculoskeletal pain, muscles and tissues can be damaged with the daily activities. Jerking movements, sudden falls, fractures, spasms, dislocations and direct hit to the muscles can cause musculoskeletal pain. Other causes may include posture strain, repetitive movements, excessive use and continued confinement, poor posture and poor workplace setting may bring vertebral alignment problems and muscle contraction, therefore causing pressure on other muscles and affecting their function causing severe pain, since pain is the most common indication of most musculoskeletal disorders. The pain varies from mild to severe and from acute to chronic and if stays for a long time can diffuse to other organs
Musculoskeletal disorder often causes pain by pinching nerves, these conditions may include carpal tunnel syndrome, the pain causes a burning sensation and diffuse along the nerve path, accompanied by tingling, weakness and numbness
In some cases the muscle pain is often a consequence of dysfunction of other organ systems
What Are the Symptoms of Musculoskeletal Pain?
The symptoms of musculoskeletal pain are accompanied with pain in the whole body as muscles are excessively used or pulled, sometimes the muscles seems to shiver or become inflamed, the symptoms may vary from person to person but the common symptoms are;
- Pain
- Fatigues
- Sleep disorders
How the pain is diagnosed?
Your physician will conduct a thorough physical examination and medical history, additionally the doctor will conduct a diagnostic study to confirm the diagnosis
Testing
- Blood tests
- X-rays
- Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI),
- CT scans
- Joint fluid testing
How Is Musculoskeletal Pain Treated?
Several manual therapies and mobilization techniques have been used to treat people with spinal arrangement problems, for the acute musculoskeletal pain these manual techniques have been very effective and showed rapid results
Medications such as NSAID may be used to treat inflammation, sensation and pain
Other treatments may include:
- Injections with anesthetic or anti-inflammatory medications in or around the painful sites
- Exercise that includes muscle strengthening and stretching
- Physical or occupational therapy
- Acupuncture or acupressure
- Relaxation/biofeedback techniques
- Osteopathic manipulation (a whole system of evaluation and treatment designed to achieve and maintain health by restoring normal function to the body)
- Chiropractic care
- Therapeutic massage