Many people take the ability to move around freely and without pain for granted. Yet, for many Canadians, this isn’t the case.

In 2005, almost 150 000 Canadians were hospitalized with a musculoskeletal injury (e.g., hurting their lower back) or disease (e.g., arthritis) (Public Health Agency of Canada, 2005). In addition to limiting physical abilities such as movement, musculoskeletal injuries and diseases often cause chronic pain, fatigue, and mental health issues.

Musculoskeletal injuries and diseases can develop quickly due to trauma or slowly over time. The musculoskeletal system is made up of the parts of the body that give the human body its form and allow a person to move. For example:

• Bones hold the body up.
• Skeletal muscles allow the body to move.
• Tendons connect muscles to bones.
• Ligaments connect bones to bones.
• Joints allow movement between connected bones.
• Cartilage cushions bone to bone connections.
• Connective tissue acts like glue, holding everything together.

Musculoskeletal injuries and diseases can develop in both work and non-work-related settings, or a combination of the two. As a result, these injuries and diseases should not only be addressed in the workplace, but also in the home. Steps can be taken to prevent musculoskeletal injuries and diseases from occurring, as well as strengthen the musculoskeletal system.

Living a healthy lifestyle can help prevent musculoskeletal injuries and diseases. To improve musculoskeletal health, a person should:
• Be physically active every day. Include activities that increase endurance (e.g., brisk walking), strength (e.g., climbing stairs), flexibility (e.g., stretching), and coordination (e.g., dancing), as these are all components of musculoskeletal fitness.
• Eat a healthy diet that follows Canada’s Food Guide. Include foods that are high in calcium and vitamin D, as these nutrients are important to bone health.
• Reach and keep a healthy body weight. Being obese is a risk factor for musculoskeletal injuries, diseases, and chronic pain that is sometimes associated with these conditions.

Having a healthy musculoskeletal system decreases the risk of developing osteoporosis and improves a person’s:
• Ability to move freely and without pain and to perform daily tasks.
• Resting blood pressure, decreasing the risk of heart-related health problems.
• Insulin response and glucose uptake, reducing the risk of developing diabetes and obesity.

To help improve the health of your musculoskeletal system, this Body Balance Health Issues Magazine focuses on how to strengthen your musculoskeletal system. It also provides information on how to prevent musculoskeletal injuries and diseases.

KEY REFERENCES:

Bergman, S. (2007). Public health perspective – how to improve the musculoskeletal health of the population. Best Practice & Research Clinical Rheumatology, 21(1), 191-204.

Public Health Agency of Canada. (2005). Leading causes of hospitalizations in Canada. Retrieved September 28, 2010, from http://dsol-smed.phac-aspc.gc.ca/dsol-smed/is-sb/leadcauses/leading_causes_hosp_2005-eng.pdf