Muscle and joint pain, commonly referred to as musculoskeletal pain refers to the pain felt in the bones, muscles, joints, and ligaments. Some common types of musculoskeletal disorders include osteoarthritis, low back pain, knee, and hip pain, and fibromyalgia.
Physical Therapy for Musculoskeletal Health
Musculoskeletal conditions affect a substantial percentage of the population, and those suffering can experience symptoms ranging from mild in nature to pain that is debilitating. These aches and pains can be addressed through a comprehensive medical plan that includes physical therapy. Physical therapists are musculoskeletal experts with the tools to evaluate your baseline function, medical history, and goals to create an individualized plan of care to help you reduce joint pain to improve function. As members of your health and wellness team, your physical therapist will work with you and your other wellness partners to help you achieve your movement goals.
Why Body Weight Matters
Another common culprit of musculoskeletal pain is excess body weight, which puts stress on your joints and cartilage, leading to inflammation. Did you know that being just ten pounds overweight increases the force on your knees by 30 to 40 pounds with every step that you take?! The severity of pain can increase when an individual is considered obese. Studies have shown that there is an incremental relationship between the prevalence of pain and Body Mass Index (BMI) status. In other words, as an individual’s BMI increases, the prevalence of pain increases as well.
Obesity and a sedentary lifestyle are associated with conditions such as low back pain, headaches, fibromyalgia, and chronic pain (pain that lasts more than three months.) There is also a direct relationship between obesity and chronic joint pain. Osteoarthritis, the wearing away of the protective layer of cartilage at the ends of bones, is one of the most prevalent musculoskeletal conditions in America. Osteoarthritis occurs gradually and worsens over time; it can become more severe as an individual’s body weight increases. As excess weight and stress are placed on joints, and cartilage is no longer able to cushion and protect bones, the risk of needing joint replacement surgery of the hip or knee also rises as BMI increases.
Benefits of Healthy Lifestyle Changes
Many lifestyle factors can affect chronic musculoskeletal pain such as activity level, stress, diet, and sleep. In addition to working with a physical therapist, another effective method of reducing musculoskeletal pain is through weight loss. The benefits of weight loss can be felt after losing the first ten pounds! This means that an individual can experience improved symptoms in a matter of weeks or months. Weight loss can have many other benefits as well, including improving quality of life. Other benefits of weight loss include:
- Preventing type 2 diabetes
- Reducing the chance of developing cancer
- Lowering your cholesterol
- Bringing down triglycerides
- Lowering blood pressure
- Reversing insulin resistance
- Improved quality of sleep and reduced sleep apnea
- Reducing inflammation
- Improved mindset and outlook
The good news is that even a small amount of weight loss will make a difference when it comes to musculoskeletal pain. As you begin reaping the benefits of your weight loss, your physical therapist can tailor your plan of care to ensure movement becomes easier and more enjoyable. This further propels you on your journey to a more active and healthier lifestyle.
Your Healthcare Team for Relieving Musculoskeletal Pain
If you or a loved one are struggling with pain and a medical provider has recommended weight loss, there are resources you can consider. “Working with a trained and knowledgeable weight-loss professional can help to get you back on the road to health and wellness,” states Joan W., owner of Optimal Weight Loss Clinic. “Lifestyle changes are not an easy undertaking and knowing where to begin can be a challenge. We work with our clients to understand their physical limitations, and their lifestyle needs, and use scientifically proven weight loss protocol that resets the body to burn fat, empowering weight loss for long-lasting health. We also have certified Health Coaches on staff to help support and guide patients through their weight loss journey.”
Supporting You and Your Health Needs
As your partner in health and with over 100 clinics in Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Maine, and New Hampshire, we understand how important living a full and active lifestyle is for managing pain, and are here to support you each step along the way. Visit our website to find a Bay State Physical Therapy clinic near you or complete the form below to request an appointment.
Resources:
- https://www.healthline.com/health/tgct/musculoskeletal-pain#types
- https://www.webmd.com/arthritis/features/weight-joint-pain
- https://www.webmd.com/diet/ss/slideshow-five-percent-weight-loss
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4508090/
Tags: weight managment, BMI, body mass index, Osteoarthritis, Joint Pain, physical therapy topics
