What are musculoskeletal injuries?
Musculoskeletal injuries are any injuries to part of your musculoskeletal system, which consists of:
- Bones
- Ligaments
- Cartilage
- Connective tissues
- Skeletal muscles
- Tendons
- Nerves
- Joints
The different elements of the musculoskeletal system support the body’s weight and work together to help you move. They also guard all of your organs and help regulate your body temperature.
When a part of your musculoskeletal system becomes injured, your whole body suffers because it doesn’t work the way it should.
What are some common musculoskeletal injuries?
Common musculoskeletal injuries include:
- Muscle and tendon sprains and strains
- Tension neck syndrome
- Tendonitis
- Fractures
- Deformity after burn injuries
- Ruptured and herniated discs
Symptoms of musculoskeletal injuries include:
- Burning or twitching muscles
- Tiredness or heaviness at the injury site
- Pain
- Swelling, tingling, dull aching, and/or numbness in the affected area
- Sleep disturbances from pain
Symptoms can simply be a nuisance, or they can render you unable to perform regular tasks, particularly repetitive ones.
Often, musculoskeletal injuries first come about as a result of repetitive tasks. One of the most common ways people sustain such injuries is by performing manual labor or working at a job that requires a lot of repetitive lifting, lowering, and transporting of heavy loads.
Do I need to seek urgent or emergency care for my injury?
While more severe musculoskeletal injuries may require urgent or emergency care, most regular ones do not. Save time, money, and a headache by booking a same day or next day appointment with Dr. Gutierrez instead.
Typical treatments for musculoskeletal injuries also don’t require a trip to the emergency room. To help you recover, Dr. Gutierrez may recommend any number of treatments, including:
- Manual therapy and stretching
- Mobilization therapy
- Physical therapy
- Corticosteroid injections
- Anti-inflammatory medications
- Casting or splinting
- Chiropractic care
- Therapeutic massage
Musculoskeletal injuries are painful, but with the right care regimen, you can reduce their duration and severity.
If a new or lingering musculoskeletal injury is a pain in your neck, seek treatment. Don’t let sprains and strains slow you down. To schedule a consultation with Dr. Gutierrez, call his office or use the convenient online booking tool.
