The musculoskeletal system—the group of bones, muscles, tendons, ligaments, and nerves that are attached to the skeleton—is crucial to all functional activities, and yet often remains under-appreciated. And when the joints, tendons, muscles, or nerves of this system become inflamed, sore, and painful, it has the potential to disrupt all other activities, thus requiring proper treatment. If you have sustained a musculoskeletal injury and need professional assistance to get back on your feet, consider consulting with an orthopedic surgeon Montreal for personalized care options. For more general help, however, consider these five tips to tackle your symptoms head-on and start feeling better fast.
1) Acupuncture
The Chinese have been using acupuncture for thousands of years, and it has even been suggested that it is more effective than over-the-counter painkillers. By targeting very specific areas with extremely fine needles (about as thin as a single strand of hair), your body can experience positive physical changes—and thus feel better—in just a few sessions. As soon as you begin feeling any level of joint or nerve pain from inflammation, consider scheduling an appointment with The Renue Medical Center in many cases, acupuncture treatments are covered by health insurance. So why wait? Give your body a chance to feel better!
2) Chiropractic Adjustment
If you have ever been to a chiropractor, you might already know that spinal manipulation can be an effective treatment for musculoskeletal problems. By adjusting your body’s alignment by as little as one millimeter in certain areas, a skilled chiropractor can help provide relief and keep your body moving pain-free. As always, be sure to do some research on specific local chiropractors before making an appointment; while they all have their own specialties and techniques, they should all be able to help with at least some types of musculoskeletal issues—there is no one size fits all approach when it comes to fixing injuries.
3) Occupational Therapy
If you have had to take time off work because of your injury, you know how hard it can be to get back to your normal routine—if you’re even able to return to work at all. Fortunately, a lot of employers offer occupational therapy for those who need assistance, and if you live in the right area, you might be able to find an occupational therapist who can provide physical therapy and assistive devices in one of your local medical centers. Be sure to talk with your employer about what options are available to you and give your body the time it needs to heal properly. After all, the last thing you would want is a more serious injury that puts you out for even longer!
4) Over-the-Counter Pain Medication
Even after receiving treatment from acupuncture, chiropractic care, or occupational therapy, there will still be times when your musculoskeletal pain is just too much to handle; such times call for additional pain relief. Mild over-the-counter pain relievers like ibuprofen and acetaminophen can take a lot of pressure off of you without causing serious side effects, so long as you are taking them at recommended dosages. Just remember that these medications might cause stomach issues if taken in excess, so don’t overdo it!
5) Therapeutic Massage
If you are looking for a more holistic approach to relieving pain, look no further than a therapeutic massage. By manually manipulating your muscles and joints, a skilled massage therapist can help break up scar tissue and reduce muscle tension—and thus reduce your overall pain level. As with acupuncture, it’s important that you see a massage therapist who is licensed in your area; otherwise, you might be putting yourself at risk for serious injury. Once again, just remember not to overdo it; in many cases, therapeutic massages only require one or two sessions per week. Be sure to ask about recommended recovery time before scheduling another appointment!
With these tips in mind, you should feel better equipped when facing musculoskeletal issues of any kind.
