Musculoskeletal pain adversely affects bones, ligaments, tendons, and nerves in the body. Symptoms of pain vary from moderate to severe and in some cases, can be acute or chronic. Musculoskeletal pain can be present in a small region of the body, or may affect large part of the body as well.
Following are the exercises and treatment options for musculoskeletal pain.
Exercises for Musculoskeletal Pain
Exercising can be a perfect non-pharmaceutical solution to treating chronic musculoskeletal pain. Physical exercise helps muscle strengthening and weight loss that would otherwise place more stress on the joints. In older adults, musculoskeletal activities can be especially useful, helping to minimize the risk of falling and resulting injury.
Aerobic exercise, water-based (aquatic), land-based workouts, quadriceps strengthening, and musculoskeletal pain control resistance exercise can be excellent options to ease pain.
Flexibility Exercise
This type of exercise is usually part of cycles of warm-up and cool-down. This requires static stretching, which can be changed when pain or inflammation occurs in a specific area. It should be remembered that the sore joints are not to be exaggerated. Thermal agents can help bring relief to the joint and reduce pain. Older adults can experience limitations when trying to perform stretches, but as with time they can still perform them to the best of their capacity, thus increasing the degree of stretching. Exercises for stretching are recommended at least three times a week or daily if the pain and discomfort are minimal.
Aerobic Exercise
Aerobics aim at improving strength and proprioception (awareness of body position), both of which help to alleviate discomfort in patients with osteoarthritis. Examples of aerobic exercise include bicycling, biking, dancing, swimming, walking the dog or playing golf.
Before undertaking any sort of aerobic exercise, however, it is necessary for the individual to recognize their own limitations with regard to the degree of joint stability, personal ability and endurance. Previous research showed that daily aerobic exercise in physically active seniors was associated with approximately 25 per cent lower chronic musculoskeletal pain compared to sedentary ones.
Walking
It is probably the simplest type of exercise that is affordable, and enjoyable as well, even if you are not suffering from any serious disability. Several studies have shown that walking is correlated with major changes in musculoskeletal pain outcomes.
Stretching and Strengthening Exercise
Training with strength at both high and low intensity will minimize pain. Previous research showed that constructive resistance exercise contributed to a small decrease in pain. However, it has also been stated that there was no substantial difference between progressive strength exercise, aerobics, and flexibility training in pain reduction. Strength training can be a good alternative when patients want to target certain muscles.
Therapies for Musculoskeletal Pain
Physical Therapies
Thermal Agents - It involves the use of heating agents, including hot packs, hot hydrotherapy, paraffin, infrared light, diathermy of the short wave, and ultrasound. Thermal agents help improve blood flow, permeability of the membrane, extensibility of the tissue and range of motion in the joint, all of which can minimize pain. The use of thermal agents in the older population has not been studied extensively, because they are still considered forms of self-therapy. Acetaminophen, daily exercise, meditation, and heat and cold were the pain relief methods most commonly used by adults living in the neighborhood, as stated in one survey. One research showed that using hyperbaric CO2 cryotherapy in older adults substantially decreased musculoskeletal pain after only four sessions, which was considered an effective method for pain relief in older adults.
Protective and Supportive Devices
These can reduce pain and improve function for patients suffering from joint dysfunction or malalignment. These tools include Kinesio's newly implemented taping methods that help improve blood circulation, decrease pain, and relieve fascia, tendons, and muscles. Other devices include wheelchairs, absorbing shoes, crutches, and canes.
Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS)
This method of therapy seems most appropriate for post-operative pain. Research shows that there is not much difference between TENS and active treatments in pain relief.
Both home exercises and treatments from therapists are effective, depending on the musculoskeletal pain one has.
TruimphdailyMD.com is the platform that assists individuals having musculoskeletal pain. They will also guide you and provide tricks to get rid of the muscle pain.
