Lismore Spinal Orthopaedic & Sports Physiotherapy

Understanding Musculoskeletal Disorders

What Are Musculoskeletal Disorders?

Musculoskeletal disorders affect your muscles, joints, bones, and nerves that control movement. These problems can cause pain in areas like your lower back (lumbar), upper back (thoracic), neck (cervical), knees, shoulders, and other joints. They may result from injury, wear and tear, or chronic conditions that limit your mobility and cause discomfort.

What to Expect from Physiotherapy

When you visit a physiotherapist, they will create a treatment plan tailored to help your injury heal quickly. Initially, the focus is on reducing pain and restoring movement. Later, the physiotherapist works to prevent stiffness, weakness, and further injury. They also aim to stop the problem from coming back by teaching you how to care for your body properly.

General Advice and Recommendations

This section offers general advice about common musculoskeletal conditions. However, it is not customised for individual cases. Always consult a healthcare professional for personalised care.

Common Conditions

• Osteoarthritis (OA) of the Knee and Hip
  OA causes joint pain and stiffness. For detailed guidance, see the Consumer Fact Sheet on Osteoarthritis of the Knee.
• Osteoporosis and Exercise
  Exercise can help maintain bone health. For more information, check this study: NIH Article on Osteoporosis and Exercise. You can contact us for further details.
• Chronic Pain Management and Education
  Understanding chronic pain helps you manage it better. Resources are available online to guide you through this process.
• Ankle Injuries
  These often need support like strapping or taping. Learn simple methods in this video: Ankle Taping Tutorial.
• Patellofemoral (Knee Cap) Pain
  Pain around the knee cap can limit your movement but can improve with correct treatment.
• Neck (Cervical) Pain and Whiplash
  Neck pain and whiplash often result from injuries but can be treated with physiotherapy and proper care.
• Low Back (Lumbar) Pain
  One of the most common complaints, low back pain can improve significantly with exercise and proper treatment.

Exercise Benefits and Chronic Pain

Exercise plays a vital role in managing osteoarthritis and chronic pain. It helps improve joint function, reduce stiffness, and strengthen muscles.

Helpful Online Resources

1. Pain Trainer — A free, University of Melbourne program to help you understand and manage chronic pain. Registration is required but secure: paintrainer.org/login-to-paintrainer/
2. Agency for Clinical Innovation (ACI) Pain Management Network — Provides free, useful information and personal stories to help you manage pain alongside your healthcare team: ACI Chronic Pain

Using these resources alongside physiotherapy can improve your understanding and control of musculoskeletal pain. Always speak to your healthcare provider for advice tailored to your needs.