4 MSK disorders of the modern age

If only we could live our lives like Benjamin Button and become younger, instead of older over time. Unfortunately, the older we get, the older our bodies get. The older we get the more we use our bodies, thereby increasing the chances of developing musculoskeletal (MSK) disorders that can worsen over time. It’s inevitable to feel the body’s natural progression, but it doesn’t have to be a pain, literally.

Musculoskeletal disorders (MSD) are not only painful but costly. According to OSHA, MSDs represent 600,000 injuries so severe that people lose work days. Lost work days and reduced productivity cost businesses as much as $300 billion dollars every year.

Identifying and understanding MSDs and how to treat and prevent them can save people time, money and more aches and pains. While many disorders affect your workforce, some wreak havoc on them and have a domino effect, but luckily, they can most likely be treated by a licensed physical therapist (PT).

There are many MSDs to watch for, but these are some of the most common.

Neck Pain

A kink in the neck isn’t always just that. It can be a segue into more severe neck issues. Neck pain is the second most common MSD and comes in various forms, from a dull ache to nerve pain that can affect your whole body. What starts out as acute pain can spiral into more severe and debilitating and chronic issues. Some prevalent types of neck pain include muscle, nerve and referred pain, all requiring various treatments. Preliminary symptoms present themselves in the form of pain with movement, neck stiffness, spasms and lack of flexibility.

Plantar Fasciitis

Following shelter-in-place orders, plantar fasciitis became more prevalent in those working from home. Why? Because people tend to not wear shoes while at home, causing the common foot pain. The plantar fascia connects the heel to the toes and the affected tissue is under the arch of the foot but can also result in a stabbing pain in the heel. Stretching can be the solution to treatment and prevention, but a more tailored recovery plan can drive better results and quicker recovery.

Shoulder Pain

After neck pain, shoulder pain is the third most common MSD and shoulder impingement is usually the root cause. Also known as swimmer’s shoulder, it can cause pain while sleeping or reaching overhead. This occurs when the rotator cuff tendons are often trapped and compressed when the shoulder makes elevated motions. Shoulder impingement can also be recognized by a clicking sound when placing your hand behind your back or feeling pain when reaching across your chest for your seatbelt. Sounds painful, right? Well, it can get worse and expand to shoulder bursitis if not treated early with physical therapy.

Runner’s Knee

It seems that more people are taking up running to escape cabin fever during COVID-19, and more people are experiencing patellofemoral pain, also known as runner’s knees. Not confined to only runners, it does account for 20–30% of all knee pain. Patellofemoral pain develops when the knees endure rapidly increased levels of activities, and it’s too fast for the knee to adapt properly. Chances are if you’re experiencing this, you want to be able to recover quickly; however, the bad news is that it doesn’t just go away. Physical therapy is essential for recovery.

A Solution for All

There’s no magic button or quick fix to heal MSK conditions. Tackling these conditions takes time, patience and the right tools. Getting ahead of aches and pains can set up employees for success, not regression, and help avoid lost productivity, work days, unnecessary procedures and reduce costs. Addressing the issues is the first step, but providing a solution will help employees champion lifelong MSK health.

Physera can help organizations do just that. Our nationwide team of licensed PTs, advanced technology and evidence-based care is the solution to recurring MSDs. The team and platform were built to treat head-to-toe issues with virtual physical therapy, making it easy to access care anytime, anywhere and cost-effectively.

Connect with our team to see how our virtual MSK care can help your population and reduce benefits costs at the same time.