Causes

• Causes of musculoskeletal pain can be varied. Pain may be caused by wear and tear from repetitive movements of muscles and tendons. Injury from a car accident, falls, fractures and sprains can all cause pain. Poor posture can cause muscle shortening and spinal problems, leading to other painful muscle groups. Immobilization for long periods can reduce muscle strength and flexibility, leading to pain.
  
  

Symptoms

• Symptoms of musculoskeletal pain include fatigue, sleep disturbances and twitching in the muscles. The pain may be felt throughout the entire body and feel like a dull ache or burning sensation.
  
  

Diagnosis

• Your doctor will perform a physical examination, asking questions concerning where the pain is located and the type of pain. Blood tests will reveal if the pain is caused by arthritis or other types of musculoskeletal disorders. X-rays will be taken if a fracture or a tumor is suspected to be causing pain. An MRI can reveal injury or damage to the soft tissue of muscle, tendons or joints.
  
  

Treatment

• Treatment for musculoskeletal pain may include a physical therapy routine to help strengthen muscles and improve flexibility. Medical massage can help loosen stiffened muscles. Your doctor may recommend corticosteroid injections into the affected area to reduce inflammation. Chiropractic care manipulates areas in the body to ensure proper alignment of the spinal column, relieving pressure on muscles and joints. Sleep aids such as Ambien may be prescribed to help with sleep disturbances from pain.
  
  

Other Treatments For Pain

• When other treatments fail to relieve musculoskeletal pain, joint replacement may be an option if the pain is occurring because of joint damage. Joint replacement is common in hips and the knees. These artificial replacements last only 10 to 15 years, so a relatively young person needing joint replacement may need two replacements in his lifetime.
  
  Low-back musculoskeletal pain may be alleviated by removing ruptured discs and fusing vertebra together. This alleviates pain but can reduce mobility.
  Treatments will depend on what illness or injury is causing the musculoskeletal pain. Your doctor will be able to guide you in the best treatment for your condition.