Musculoskeletal Pain

What is musculoskeletal pain?

Musculoskeletal pain is pain that affects any of your:

• Bones.
• Joints.
• Ligaments.
• Skeletal muscles.
• Tendons.

These tissues make up your musculoskeletal system. You may have localized musculoskeletal pain (in one area of your body) or it may affect most of your body. It can range from mild to severe and be short-term or long-term.

Musculoskeletal pain is very common. It’s the most common form of noncancer pain. Virtually everyone experiences it at least once in their lives — most often from a muscle strain. Chronic (long-term) musculoskeletal conditions (like lower back pain) are also very common.

What does musculoskeletal pain feel like?

Musculoskeletal pain may feel different depending on the cause and affected tissue(s):

• Bone pain: This typically feels dull and achy — like the pain is coming from deep inside your body. If you have a bone fracture, the pain may be sharper and more intense.
• Joint pain: Pain in your joints may be constant or it can come and go. Sometimes, your joints can feel stiff, achy or sore. You might have a burning, throbbing or “grating” sensation. For many people, joint pain gets better with rest and worsens with activity.
• Muscle pain: Muscle pain may feel like a deep, steady ache or random sharp pains. Some people have muscle pain all over, while others have it in specific areas.
• Tendon and ligament pain: This type of pain is typically worse when you move the affected area. The pain often feels sharp.

Musculoskeletal pain can significantly limit your mobility and range of motion. It may also cause:

• Fatigue.
• Sleep disruptions.
• Stiffness.

How long does musculoskeletal pain last?

Musculoskeletal pain can be acute, meaning it’s sudden and severe. Or the pain can be chronic (long-lasting). Acute musculoskeletal pain is temporary. But how long it lasts depends on the cause, severity and the treatment you receive.

What causes musculoskeletal pain?

Injuries are the most common cause of musculoskeletal pain, often causing acute (sudden) pain. Certain conditions can cause chronic (long-term) musculoskeletal pain. Injuries that don’t heal properly can lead to chronic pain as well.

Causes of acute musculoskeletal pain

Examples of acute musculoskeletal pain causes include injuries like:

• Bone bruises (contusions).
• Bone fractures.
• Joint dislocation.
• Muscle bruises.
• Repetitive strain injuries, like tendinitis, carpal tunnel syndrome and tennis elbow.
• Sprains (stretched or torn ligaments).
• Torn muscles or tendons.

These injuries can affect anyone at any age. They’re especially common in athletes and people who do manual labor.

Other non-injury forms of acute musculoskeletal pain include:

• Muscle spasms and cramps.
• Pyomyositis (muscle infection).
• Osteomyelitis (bone infection).
• Septic arthritis (joint infection).

Causes of chronic musculoskeletal pain

Certain conditions can cause long-term musculoskeletal pain. Examples include:

• Arthritis, like rheumatoid arthritis and psoriatic arthritis.
• Connective tissue diseases, like scleroderma, systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and Ehlers-Danlos syndrome.
• Fibromyalgia.
• Gout.
• Joint hypermobility syndrome.
• Myopathies (muscle conditions), like muscular dystrophy and myositis.
• Bone conditions, like osteoporosis and osteopenia.
• Regional pain (like neck and back pain) from conditions like spinal stenosis or degenerative disk disease.
• Stiff person syndrome.

How do you treat musculoskeletal pain?

Treatment for musculoskeletal pain largely depends on the:

• Affected tissue(s).
• Severity.
• Underlying cause.

For mild musculoskeletal pain from a minor injury (like a strained muscle), conservative treatment often helps. This includes rest, over-the-counter pain medicines and cold (ice) therapy.

For more serious or complex causes of musculoskeletal pain, it’s important to see a healthcare provider. They’ll recommend a treatment plan that’s best for you. If you have chronic pain, “management” may be a better word — the cause may be incurable, so the goal is to minimize symptoms.

Some examples of treatments and pain management include:

• Acupuncture.
• Chiropractic adjustment.
• Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and biofeedback for chronic pain management.
• Compression therapy.
• Hydrotherapy.
• Osteopathic manipulative treatment (OMT).
• Massage therapy.
• Medications, like pain medicine (analgesics) or medications that target an underlying condition.
• Physical therapy and occupational therapy.
• Splints, casts and other tools that stabilize the affected area.
• Steroid injections.
• Surgery.

What can I do at home to treat musculoskeletal pain?

Your healthcare provider may guide you to manage musculoskeletal pain at home. Recommendations may include:

• Getting quality sleep.
• Hot and/or cold therapy.
• Over-the-counter pain relievers.
• The RICE method (rest, ice, compression and elevation).
• Strengthening and conditioning exercises.
• Stretching exercises.
• Stress reduction techniques.

What are the possible complications of not treating musculoskeletal pain?

Without proper treatment, moderate to severe injuries that cause musculoskeletal pain can lead to chronic pain and mobility issues. This can negatively affect your quality of life and may prevent you from working.

Because of this, it’s very important to get medical care for severe and/or persisting pain. The sooner you can start treatment that’s tailored to your situation, the better.

How can I prevent musculoskeletal pain?

Maintaining healthy bones, muscles and joints is crucial for preventing musculoskeletal pain. Steps you can take to try to prevent pain include:

• Avoiding smoking, which increases inflammation.
• Eating nutritious foods to support bone, muscle and joint health.
• Getting medical help at the first signs of persisting pain.
• Getting regular physical activity that’s appropriate for your age and overall health.
• Limiting repetitive movements.
• Practicing good posture.
• Stretching regularly.
• Using correct lifting techniques.

When should I see my healthcare provider for musculoskeletal pain?

If musculoskeletal pain interferes with your daily activities or how well you can function, see a healthcare provider. Seek immediate medical help if you have severe pain from a sudden injury.