Chronic Musculoskeletal Pain Disorders Directly Affect Bones
Pain is our body’s way of telling us something is wrong. It’s usually a good thing, but sometimes pain can last for weeks, months or even years after an injury or illness. This is called chronic pain and it can affect your quality of life. This kind of pain can be in one part of your body or all over the body (such as a disease like fibromyalgia). It can also change how much pain you feel and how often it comes and goes.
Musculoskeletal Pain
These disorders directly affect bones, joints, muscles, tendons and ligaments. They can be caused by injuries, overuse, stress, poor posture, and some medications. Some examples of musculoskeletal pain are low back pain, neck and shoulder pain, and knee pain. Other musculoskeletal pain disorders include osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and fibromyalgia.
A doctor diagnoses Chronic Musculoskeletal Pain Services by doing a physical exam, asking about past injuries and what activities might cause them; checking for swelling, tender spots or changes in the skin; looking for signs of infection; and taking blood pressure or pulse. They may also order a imaging test, such as an X-ray or an MRI, to see what is causing the pain and how the damage is affecting the bones, muscles, and other tissues.
Using medications to help control pain is often recommended, but there are other treatments that might be helpful as well. They can include acupuncture, massage, exercise, and relaxation techniques. Some people find that eating a healthy diet can help with their musculoskeletal pain as well.
Other symptoms of musculoskeletal pain can be depression, anxiety, trouble sleeping and weight loss. It is important to treat any of these symptoms so that your musculoskeletal pain doesn’t get worse and make other health problems worse.
Some musculoskeletal pain treatments include physical therapy, occupational therapy, and behavioral therapy. These treatments can help you learn how to stretch and exercise in a safe way that doesn’t increase your pain. They can also teach you how to pace your activity so that your muscles don’t get overworked. Almost any type of exercise can help a person with musculoskeletal pain, but it’s important to talk with your doctor before beginning any new activities. You can also try relaxing exercises such as meditation or tai chi. These can decrease your pain by changing the chemicals in your brain that produce it. They can be done at home, at work or in a class. The goal is to help you feel better, so you can enjoy your life again.
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