Evaluating Musculoskeletal Pain

The first step in evaluating musculoskeletal pain is a thorough medical exam by your primary care physician.  And exam helps distinguish common strains and sprains from more serious conditions of the muscle, joint, tendons or nerves.  Once serious conditions are ruled out, minor musculoskeletal pain can often be treated and cured through therapeutic exercises. Below are some simple exercises you can do at home once directed by your physician. If pain is no better or worsening despite a 2-4 week trial of home exercises, request a repeat exam.  Progressive conditions may require more extensive treatment by a skilled physical therapist, imaging, or evaluation by an orthopedic physician.

Home Therapeutic Exercises

Basic Knee Exercises 

    *Practice semi-squats in front of a chair for fall prevention.
​
Advanced Knee Exercises

     *For people with good standing balance not at high risk of falls

Biceps Tendonitis

      *Simple exercises with a resistance band that can be done at home

Subscapularis Rotator Cuff Exercises

      *Self treatment massage and stretching technique for subscapularis strain or tendonitis

Basic AC Joint Exercises

      *For minor AC joint injuries, start with rest and theraeutic massage as noted above.

Advanced AC Joint Exercises

        *After a period of AC joint rest and massage, progress to pendulum and isotonic exercises followed by resistance band       
​          exercises shown here.