The musculoskeletal system is one of the largest and most frequently injured systems in the human body. From sprains and fractures to chronic conditions like osteoporosis and Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome, these issues impact patients daily.
This system also connects to nearly every body part: the heart is a muscle, breathing relies on the diaphragm, and nerves interact closely with muscles.
Because the musculoskeletal system affects the whole body, a functional medicine approach that emphasizes holistic, personalized care may help support overall musculoskeletal health.
This article explores the causes of musculoskeletal disorders and highlights treatment strategies, including addressing root causes and adopting lifestyle changes to prevent them.
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What is the Musculoskeletal System?
The musculoskeletal (MSK) system is responsible for supporting the body and enabling movement. The musculoskeletal system includes:
- Muscles: Organs that generate force to move the body.
- Bones: The support structures of the body and levers for movement.
- Ligaments: Tissue that connects bones.
- Tendons: The tissue that connects muscles to bones.
- Connective Tissue: Tissue found throughout the body, connecting its various parts. Connective tissue makes up about 30-40% of the body and is present in every organ, muscle, and bone.
The MSK system is vital for safety, health, and overall wellness as the support structure and movement system. However, it is also prone to injuries, diseases, and age-related wear and tear. Common conditions include:
Prevalence and Impact of Musculoskeletal Disorders
Musculoskeletal (MSK) disorders are one of the most common disorders in the world. According to the World Health Organization, 1.7 billion people live with MSK conditions. A 2024 article in the Lancet noted approximately one in every three Americans has an MSK disorder, and it is more prevalent than cardiovascular and respiratory diseases combined.
An article in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) estimated the cost of obesity-related MSK disorders was $180.7 billion worldwide.
In addition, musculoskeletal conditions can impact emotional and mental health. Studies suggest that more than 20-30% of people with chronic musculoskeletal pain may also experience anxiety, and approximately 10-15% may experience depression.
The Functional Medicine Perspective
Functional medicine takes a personalized approach to healthcare by considering the whole person rather than focusing solely on a specific disease or system. It evaluates various factors influencing health, including diet, genetics, hormonal changes, and lifestyle.
Core Principles of Functional Medicine:
- Address root causes: Focus on Identifying and addressing underlying causes of health issues rather than treating symptoms.
- Promote balance: Aim to support the body’s overall health and function.
- Recognize interconnected systems: Understand that changes in one body system can impact others.
- Empower patients: Encourage patients to actively participate in their healthcare decisions.
- Personalized care: Treat each patient as unique and tailor health plans to their specific needs.
Key Differences from Conventional Approaches:
- Conventional medicine primarily focuses on symptom management, using pharmaceuticals and interventions such as surgery.
- Functional medicine emphasizes identifying triggers, such as inflammation or nutrient deficiencies, and treats those directly.
- Functional medicine uses strategies like nutrition, lifestyle changes, and mind-body therapies to support overall health.
Root Causes of Musculoskeletal Disorders
There are multiple causes for MSK pain and disorder; these can be broken down into some basic categories.
Chronic Inflammation:
- Chronic inflammation affects about 35% of Americans.
- Swelling of tissues causes mobility problems.
- Inflammation of joints causes pain and limited movement.
- Inflammation of tendons (tendonitis) causes pain and immobility.
- Factors such as diet and stress may play a role in promoting or managing inflammation.
Nutritional Deficiencies
Proper nutrition plays an important role in supporting musculoskeletal health, as it may influence tissue structure and function. For instance, while calcium is widely recognized for its role in bone health, it is also essential for muscle contraction. Calcium supports muscle contraction and bone health
Key nutrients involved in the MSK system include:
- Vitamin D: Essential for calcium absorption and bone strength.
- Magnesium: Plays a role in muscle relaxation and energy production.
- Omega-3 fatty acids: Help reduce inflammation and support joint health.
Lifestyle and Environmental factors
Lifestyle and environmental factors significantly impact MSK health.
Regular movement is essential for maintaining muscle strength and stability. When muscles are not used, they can weaken over time.
- Wolff’s Law explains that bones adapt to the level of strain they experience. Activities like walking and weight-bearing exercises strengthen bones, while inactivity can lead to bone loss.
- Common lifestyle factors associated with MSK disorders include a sedentary lifestyle, poor posture, and repetitive strain.
Functional Medicine Strategies for Musculoskeletal Health
Since functional medicine focuses on the whole patient instead of single symptoms, a large variety of strategies are used to combat MSK disorders.
Nutritional Interventions include:
Diets that support the inflammatory response:
- Whole foods, instead of highly processed foods, whole foods are beneficial in MSK and overall health.
- Healthy fats include naturally occurring fats that are not artificially enhanced and specific fats such as omega 3s.
- Plant-based nutrients have also been shown to benefit MSK health.
- Certain foods, like the following, may act as potential triggers for some individuals, particularly those with specific sensitivities.
- Proper supplementation
- Glucosamine/Chondroitin
- Collagen
- Vitamins/minerals such as calcium and vitamin D
The MSK system is meant to move, which means lifestyle modifications that include movement are essential for proper MSK health.
Lifestyle Modifications Include:
Regular, low-impact exercises:
Stress management techniques such as:
Ergonomic adjustments to reduce physical strain.
Advanced Functional Medicine Tools
- Hormone testing to assess imbalances affecting bone density.
- Genetic testing for tailored prevention strategies.
- Physical therapy to improve muscle range of motion and stability
- Chiropractic care for skeletal alignment and stability
- Acupuncture is a traditional practice that some people use to support overall health and wellness, including musculoskeletal health.
- Myofascial release can be particularly beneficial for MSK health. Every skeletal muscle is surrounded by a connective tissue called fascia. The fascia can get injured and stuck, causing pain and movement difficulties.
Therapies and tools should be used under professional guidance.
Research and Evidence Supporting Functional Medicine Approaches
Here is a brief list of studies exploring how specific treatments may support musculoskeletal health or address musculoskeletal conditions.
- Exercise and MSK Health
- Chiropractic Care for MSK Health
- Acupuncture for MSK Health
- Effects of Diet on MSK Diseases, Including Rheumatic Disease
- Healthy Gut Microbes and MSK Health
- Dietary Supplements and MSK Health
Functional Medicine’s Role in Prevention
Functional medicine emphasizes personalized care and treatment, making it especially valuable for addressing MSK disorders. A tailored approach is crucial because each person’s physical abilities and needs vary. For example, an Olympic athlete will require a vastly different exercise regimen than an office worker.
Collaboration between patients and healthcare providers is key to identifying the best strategies for each individual. This includes monitoring long-term health markers and addressing key areas such as:
- Diet: Ensuring proper nutrition to support muscles and bones.
- Exercise: Designing an activity plan suited to the individual’s abilities and goals.
- Lifestyle: Adopting habits that promote overall MSK health.
- Mental and Emotional Health: Recognizing the impact of stress and emotional well-being on physical health.
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Key Takeaways
- The musculoskeletal system supports the body, enables movement, and connects various systems through muscles, bones, ligaments, tendons, and connective tissue.
- Musculoskeletal disorders affect over 1.7 billion people worldwide and are more common than cardiovascular or respiratory diseases, with significant economic and mental health impacts.
- Functional medicine focuses on addressing root causes, promoting balance, and personalizing care by considering diet, genetics, lifestyle, and emotional well-being.
- Common causes include chronic inflammation, nutritional deficiencies, sedentary lifestyles, poor posture, repetitive strain, and environmental toxins.
- Proper nutrition (e.g., calcium, Vitamin D, and omega-3s), anti-inflammatory diets, regular movement, and ergonomic adjustments are essential for maintaining MSK health.
- Strategies such as stress management, hormone and genetic testing, physical therapy, chiropractic care, and acupuncture can support musculoskeletal health.
- Collaboration between patients and providers and personalized care plans can help prevent and manage MSK disorders effectively.
Patients and providers are encouraged to be proactive in supporting musculoskeletal health through proper nutrition, regular movement, and healthy lifestyle choices, rather than addressing issues only when they arise.