Introduction

The musculoskeletal system comprises muscles, ligaments, and tissues surrounding the skeletal structure and vital organs. These components have various functions, including transporting blood and nutrients throughout the body and facilitating movement. However, chronic conditions or aging can cause pain-like symptoms, disrupting daily life and leading to disability. There are many available treatments, both surgical and non-surgical, that can help alleviate chronic pain. This article will explore how chronic pain affects individuals and how treatments like Muscle Energy Technique (MET) therapy can help address it. We work with certified medical providers who use our patients’ valuable information to treat individuals suffering from muscle pain while informing them about non-surgical treatments like MET therapy that can help reduce the effects of chronic pain associated with the musculoskeletal system. We encourage patients to ask essential questions and seek education from our associated medical providers about their condition. Dr. Jimenez, D.C., provides this information as an educational service. Disclaimer

 

How Does Chronic Pain Affect The Individual?

Have you been dealing with shooting pain in your joints or muscles? When you wake up in the morning, do you feel constant stiffness in your joints? Or do you experience muscle pain slowly throughout the entire day? When it comes to chronic pain in the musculoskeletal system, it can be hard to pinpoint where the pain is located in the body. Research studies reveal that chronic musculoskeletal pain is a challenge for the individual and their doctors and a main contributor to disability worldwide. Chronic musculoskeletal pain can be non-specific and specific depending on the severity and factors contributing to its development. For many individuals experiencing chronic pain associated with the musculoskeletal system, the homeostatic and adaptive function in their muscle fibers has been stretched past their limits.

 

 

Additional research studies stated that factors like mechanical forces, ischemia, and even inflammation are all primary stimuli for chronic muscle pain. Factors like lifting/carrying heavy objects, persistent sitting, physical inactivities, and dietary habits all correlate to chronic muscle and joint pain, as repetitive motions or prolonged inactivity can either shorten or overstretch the muscle fibers. At the same time, chronic musculoskeletal diseases like fibromyalgia and myofascial pain syndrome can cause the affected muscles to stiffen, contract, and tender to the touch, which then causes the other surrounding muscles to take over and compensate for the pain. To that point, chronic musculoskeletal pain can cause many individuals to decrease their productivity, call off work constantly, and lead a life of disability.


From Consultation To Transformation- Video

Have you been dealing with constant muscle and joint pain throughout your life? Has the pain been unbearable that it is affecting your routine? Or do you feel aches or stiffness in your sides or different body areas? Throughout the entire world, many individuals suffer from chronic musculoskeletal pain at one point in their lives, and it has become a social/economic burden. Research studies reveal that chronic pain associated with musculoskeletal disorders can affect many other aspects of a person’s life. When chronic pain starts to affect a person’s ability to function, it can have a negative effect on the person’s mental health. When chronic pain is associated with musculoskeletal disorders, it also correlates with work, as many individuals with chronic pain have reduced work productivity, lost wages, and lost hours that can take a toll on their income. However, there is hope, as many affordable treatments can reduce the effects of chronic musculoskeletal pain and its associated symptoms. Non-surgical treatments like chiropractic care and MET therapy can help many individuals with chronic musculoskeletal pain find the relief they deserve. The video above explains how non-surgical treatments approach chronic musculoskeletal pain, from assessing patients through consultation to transforming their health and wellness. By taking back their health, many individuals can find relief from their pain and get back to their routines.


MET Therapy’s Approach To Chronic Pain

 

Non-surgical treatments like MET (muscle energy technique) therapy has a unique approach to reducing chronic pain in the musculoskeletal system. In the book, “Clinical Applications of Neuromuscular Techniques,” Dr. Leon Chaitow, N.D., D.O., and Dr. Judith Walker DeLany, L.M.T., mentioned that the fascia and the characteristics of the connective tissues are relevant for MET by commencing stretching the affected muscles that are in chronic pain and use biomechanical forces to initiate a low intense force to lengthen the tissues and increase their flexibility. MET therapy helps many individuals with chronic pain associated with musculoskeletal disorders, as research studies reveal that MET therapy can help increase the strength of weakened muscles and help increase the spinal ROM. MET therapy is non-surgical, cost-effective, and safe to reduce chronic pain associated with musculoskeletal disorders. 

 

Identifying The Patterns

Many pain specialists who incorporate MET will begin by assessing the individual with chronic pain associated with musculoskeletal disorders. They will get examined by testing their range of motion, spinal and joint mobility, and any additional factors to develop a personalized plan that caters to the individual. Once the pain issue is found, the individual will work with other medical professionals to help strengthen their muscles and help reduce the pain-like symptoms that are causing them. To that point, MET therapy combined with other treatments is beneficial for those with chronic illnesses and needs relief from pain.

 

Conclusion

Many individuals suffering from chronic musculoskeletal pain often experience limited mobility, shortened muscles, and referred pain in different areas of their bodies. Chronic musculoskeletal pain is a social/economic problem that has affected many individuals and left them missing out on important life events. Treatments like MET (muscle energy technique) therapy can help reduce pain by stretching the muscle fibers to alleviate pain and restore joint mobility to the body. When many individuals start to utilize MET therapy, it can reduce chronic pain and allow them to get back their health and wellness.

 

References

Bains, D., Chahal, A., Shaphe, M. A., Kashoo, F. Z., Ali, T., Alghadir, A. H., & Khan, M. (2022). Effects of Muscle Energy Technique and Joint Manipulation on Pulmonary Functions, Mobility, Disease Exacerbations, and Health-Related Quality of Life in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Patients: A Quasiexperimental Study. BioMed Research International, 2022, 1–9. doi.org/10.1155/2022/5528724

Bonanni, R., Cariati, I., Tancredi, V., Iundusi, R., Gasbarra, E., & Tarantino, U. (2022). Chronic Pain in Musculoskeletal Diseases: Do You Know Your Enemy? Journal of Clinical Medicine, 11(9), 2609. doi.org/10.3390/jcm11092609

Chaitow, L., & Delany, J. (2002). Clinical application of neuromuscular techniques. Vol. 2, The lower body. Churchill Livingstone.

El-Tallawy, S. N., Nalamasu, R., Salem, G. I., LeQuang, J. A. K., Pergolizzi, J. V., & Christo, P. J. (2021). Management of Musculoskeletal Pain: An Update with Emphasis on Chronic Musculoskeletal Pain. Pain and Therapy, 10(1). doi.org/10.1007/s40122-021-00235-2

Gregory, N. S., & Sluka, K. A. (2014). Anatomical and Physiological Factors Contributing to Chronic Muscle Pain. Current Topics in Behavioral Neurosciences, 20, 327–348. doi.org/10.1007/7854_2014_294

Disclaimer

Disclaimers

Professional Scope of Practice *

The information herein on "MET Therapy's Approach To Chronic Pain Problems" is not intended to replace a one-on-one relationship with a qualified health care professional or licensed physician and is not medical advice. We encourage you to make healthcare decisions based on your research and partnership with a qualified healthcare professional.

Blog Information & Scope Discussions

Our information scope is limited to Chiropractic, musculoskeletal, physical medicines, wellness, contributing etiological viscerosomatic disturbances within clinical presentations, associated somatovisceral reflex clinical dynamics, subluxation complexes, sensitive health issues, and/or functional medicine articles, topics, and discussions.

We provide and present clinical collaboration with specialists from various disciplines. Each specialist is governed by their professional scope of practice and their jurisdiction of licensure. We use functional health & wellness protocols to treat and support care for the injuries or disorders of the musculoskeletal system.

Our videos, posts, topics, subjects, and insights cover clinical matters, issues, and topics that relate to and directly or indirectly support our clinical scope of practice.*

Our office has reasonably attempted to provide supportive citations and has identified the relevant research study or studies supporting our posts. We provide copies of supporting research studies available to regulatory boards and the public upon request.

We understand that we cover matters that require an additional explanation of how it may assist in a particular care plan or treatment protocol; therefore, to further discuss the subject matter above, please feel free to ask Dr. Alex Jimenez, DC, or contact us at 915-850-0900.

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Dr. Alex Jimenez DC, MSACP, RN*, CCST, IFMCP*, CIFM*, ATN*

email: coach@elpasofunctionalmedicine.com

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Dr. Alex Jimenez DC, MSACP, RN* CIFM*, IFMCP*, ATN*, CCST
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