Systemic vs. Specific Care: Protecting Your Joints, Tendons, Muscles, and Bones
&srotate=0)
What is the Musculoskeletal (MSK) System?
MSK-101
Composed of joints, tendons, muscles, and bones, the musculoskeletal system plays a pivotal role in the human body. The skeletal system maintains body weight, provides structure, and protects the organs. Simultaneously, the muscles assist in facilitating movement. The entire human body relies on the musculoskeletal system for support and mobility, making its health crucial for overall well-being.
Components of the Musculoskeletal System
The musculoskeletal system serves a range of purposes. For a thorough grasp of this system’s significant roles, it is imperative to get insight into its various components.
- Bones: The tendons, tissues, and muscles are attached to the bones, which provide structure and protect the organs.
- Joints: The connection points between bones allow for a range of motion and skeletal stability.
- Muscles: Made up of fibers, muscles enable movement. Different activities, including lifting, moving, and staying still, involve different types of muscles.
- Ligaments: Connect bones while stabilizing joints to help with movement.
- Tendons: Act as connectors between muscles and bones, facilitating limb movement.
The Health of the Musculoskeletal System
The majority of people will experience pain in their muscles or joints at some point. Some cases are minor, but others can be chronic and severe. Impairment and pain in the musculoskeletal system can be caused by conditions such as tendonitis and arthritis. Additionally, broken bones, tears, fractures, and sprains are common injuries that millions of people endure. Factors such as aging, lifestyle, family history, and activity level can further impact the health of the musculoskeletal system.
Injuries to this system can result in symptoms including stiffness, burning sensations in muscles, aching, and muscle twitching. These impairments can compromise movement, limit people’s ability to engage in everyday activities, and cause sleep disturbances. As a result, maintaining the musculoskeletal system is essential for overall health and quality of life.
Taking Care of Your MSK System
Systemic Care Practices
In systemic care, lifestyle modifications can maintain the general health of the musculoskeletal system. These preventative practices help make the musculoskeletal system more resilient to tears and injuries and can improve the health of the entire body. Some systemic care practices include:
- Healthy Diet: Incorporate foods rich in calcium, protein, and vitamin D into your diet to strengthen bones and prevent fractures. Since our bodies cannot produce calcium, we must rely on our food to provide the calcium in our bloodstream. Depending on your background, take the necessary amount of calcium recommended by your healthcare provider.
- Exercise: Building and strengthening muscles can further support joints and prevent injuries.
- Sleep: Get an appropriate amount of sleep to help muscles repair and recover.
Despite being commonplace and perhaps obvious, these practices are often easy to overlook but are crucial for maintaining musculoskeletal health.
Specific Care Practices
Based on an individual's needs and health background, specific care can vary. Here are just a few of the many general recommendations to enhance the health of your musculoskeletal system:
- Strength Training: Perform targeted exercises that focus on specific muscles to help build and strengthen muscles.
- Hot and Cold Therapy: Apply ice to help reduce inflammation on injuries, such as sprains. For sore muscles and stiff joints, apply heat to improve circulation.
- Stretching: Reduce muscle tightness and increase flexibility through isolated stretching exercises.
- Massage Therapy: Utilize massage to relieve muscle tension and improve circulation.
- Ergonomic Adjustments: Make adjustments in your daily environment, such as using ergonomic furniture, to reduce strain on the musculoskeletal system.
Harnessing the Power Within: PRP by Regenexx
One innovative and effective option gaining popularity in regenerative medicine is Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) therapy. Dr. Matthew Kohler of Ospina Medical is trained in administering PRP by Regenexx, a premier version of the therapy known for its enhanced concentrations and customizability for each patient. This therapy employs the patient's own healing factors stored in the blood by processing them in a laboratory and reintroducing them into specific structures or tissues via image guidance. This approach ensures the administering of platelets, cytokines, and growth factors is tailored to the unique needs of each patient, significantly promoting the kickstart of their natural healing process. By harnessing the power within, PRP by Regenexx distinguishes itself as a versatile option for the treatment of various MSK conditions.
Patients undergoing PRP therapy can generally begin seeing reduced inflammation, faster recovery times, and overall improved function of the affected area around 3 to 4 weeks after treatment. Dr. Matthew Kohler and our team at Ospina Medical bring expertise and personalized care to each patient, ensuring the highest quality treatment. This commitment to advanced regenerative techniques helps patients achieve maximum relief and continue living pain-free. Book your consultation today to get started with systemic, specific, and revolutionary care for your body.
Written By: Kaitlyn Tsai
Edited By: Camden Rowe
Medically Reviewed By: Matthew Kohler, MD