How do you prevent musculoskeletal problems and improve quality of life for those who have them?
It is possible to prevent and control musculoskeletal problems by:
• Build and maintain healthy bones and joints
• Treat any problems of the musculoskeletal system early and effectively
• Deal with pain, limited activities and restricted participation to normal life
What are the risks to musculoskeletal health?
• Lack of physical activity
• Obesity
• Low body weight – anorexia
• Poor nutrition especially calcium and vitamin D
• Smoking
• Excess alcohol
• Accidents – work, leisure, home, falls, RTA
• Injuries by inappropriate use of the musculoskeletal system – overuse, bad techniques, bad work practices
• Ageing
• Specific conditions – Rheumatoid Arthritis
What you should do to build and maintain healthy bones and joints?
• Be aware of the importance of having healthy bones and joints to enable you to do what you want to do
• Regular physical activity to maintain physical fitness – 60 mins a day
• Maintain an ideal weight – not too thin or too heavy (BMI 19 – 25)
• Balanced diet including recommended daily allowance for calcium and vitamin D
• Avoid smoking
• Balanced use of alcohol and avoid alcohol abuse
• Avoid musculoskeletal injuries by good training and safe practices in sports, at leisure and in the workplace
• Avoid abnormal and overuse of the musculoskeletal system at the workplace and related to sports and leisure activities
Why?
• Physical activity leads to strong bones and efficient working of the musculoskeletal system
• Obesity leads to back pain and wear and tear of the joints
• A low body weight results in weak bones and risk of fracture
• Smoking and excess alcohol increase the risk of many musculoskeletal problems
• Injuries (sprains, strains, fractures) due to accidents, sports and work can cause short term and long term problems with the musculoskeletal system
What should your parents do to maintain healthy bones and joints?
• Be aware of the importance of maintaining healthy bones and joints to enable them to do what they want to do
• Regular physical activity to maintain physical fitness – 30 mins a day of brisk walking
• Maintain an ideal weight – not too thin or too heavy (BMI 19 – 25)
• Balanced diet including recommended daily allowance for calcium and vitamin D
• Avoid smoking
• Balanced use of alcohol and avoid alcohol abuse
• Avoid musculoskeletal injuries by good training and safe practices in sports, at leisure and in the workplace
• Avoid abnormal and overuse of the musculoskeletal system at the workplace and related to sports and leisure activities
Those at greatest risk need to recognise this and be encouraged to change their lifestyle or take other measures to reduce their risk – if overweight and physically unfit, they should try and become more physically active (walking, cycling) and loose weight.
Those who have the earliest features of a musculoskeletal problem (e.g. joint pains) should see a medical expert so that they can get an early diagnosis of the likely cause of their problem and then receive early and appropriate treatment.
Why?
• A bone and joint healthy lifestyle is important at all ages
• Some people are at more risk of musculoskeletal problems, such as osteoporosis, than others. Recognising this and taking measures to prevent it are important if you want to stay healthy and physically active
• Musculoskeletal problems can be effectively treated but many cannot be reversed so early treatment is important to get the best outcomes
What should your grand parents do to maintain healthy bones and joints?
• Be aware of the importance of maintaining healthy bones and joints to enable them to do what they want to do
• Regular physical activity to maintain physical fitness – 30 mins a day, brisk walking if possible
• Maintain an ideal weight – not too thin or too heavy (BMI 19 – 25)
• Balanced diet including recommended daily allowance for calcium and vitamin D
• Avoid smoking
• Balanced use of alcohol and avoid alcohol abuse
• Avoid musculoskeletal injuries by maintaining balance and coordination, and by being in a safe environment
• Avoid falls
Those who have the earliest features of a musculoskeletal problem (e.g. joint pains) should see a medical expert so that they can get an early diagnosis of the likely cause of their problem and then receive early and appropriate treatment.
Those with a musculoskeletal problem should see a medical expert so they can receive appropriate care to reduce pain and the consequences of musculoskeletal conditions, with improvement in functioning, activities and participation
Why?
• A bone and joint healthy lifestyle is important at all ages
• A major risk to musculoskeletal health in older age is fracture following a fall. Preventing falls is very important
• Musculoskeletal problems can be effectively treated but many cannot be reversed so early treatment is important to get the best outcomes
• The pain and disability caused by musculoskeletal conditions can be effectively treated to improve independence and quality of life
Written by an eefo.net user
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