Muscle Joint and Arthritis

Musculoskeletal pain affects the joints, muscles, ligaments, tendons, and nerves. It can be acute (having a rapid onset with severe symptoms) or chronic (long-lasting). Musculoskeletal pain can be localized in one area, or widespread. Arthritis is a common cause for pain.

Lower back pain is the most common type of musculoskeletal pain. Other common types include tendonitis, myalgia (muscle pain), and stress fractures.

Anyone can experience musculoskeletal pain. It is most often caused by an injury or sprain to the joints, muscles, tendons, ligaments, or nerves.

Musculoskeletal pain can also be caused by overuse. Pain from overuse affects 33% of adults. Lower back pain from overuse is the most common work-related diagnosis in Western society.

Poor posture or prolonged immobilization can also cause musculoskeletal pain.

Symptoms of musculoskeletal pain depend on whether the pain is caused by an injury or overuse and whether it is chronic or acute. The symptoms can also differ from person to person.

Common symptoms include:

• Localized or widespread pain that can worsen with movement
• Aching or stiffness of the entire body
• The feeling that your muscles have been pulled or overworked
• The sensation of a deep ache in your muscles

• Joint manipulation and mobilization (unlocking painful joints) to reduce pain and increase movement
• Cortisone and Dextrose (prolotherapy) injections into and around joints to relieve pain
• Trigger point treatment, by massage stretching and injections of local anaesthetic. Trigger points are painful knots in muscles and a major cause of pain.
• Full neck, thoracic, lumbar shoulder and hip treatments using multiple modalities
• Specific exercise therapy for self treatment at home.