Musculoskeletal Pain: Myths, Facts & What You Need to Know
A practical guide to understanding musculoskeletal pain, common myths, and finding support that works for you.
Pain has a way of creeping in quietly. One day, your back feels tight after a long afternoon on your feet. Another day, it’s your neck that won’t quite turn the way it used to. You try to shake it off—blame the way you slept or tell yourself it’s just part of getting older.
But when the discomfort lingers—when the soreness becomes something you think about daily—it starts to affect more than just your body. It changes how you move, how you rest, and even how fully you engage with your day-to-day life.
If any of this sounds familiar, you’re not alone. Musculoskeletal pain affects millions of people every year, often in subtle and frustrating ways. And while it’s incredibly common, it’s also commonly misunderstood.
In the sections ahead, we’ll take a closer look at the root causes of musculoskeletal discomfort, address some persistent myths, and provide insight on how to achieve relief.
What Is Musculoskeletal Pain, Exactly?
The musculoskeletal system is more than just your body’s framework—it’s what helps you stand, move, lift, stretch, and keep your balance. It’s made up of bones, muscles, tendons, ligaments, and connective tissue, all working together like a team. Whether you’re walking the dog, carrying groceries, or just getting through your workday, this system keeps you moving and upright.
When something in that system isn’t working quite right, it can show up as discomfort or pain. Sometimes this pain is sharp or localized; other times, it’s vague and widespread. It can flare up during movement or linger quietly in the background. In some cases, it’s tied to a specific event. In others, it creeps in gradually, without a clear origin.
When does Musculoskeletal Pain Become Chronic?
Not all musculoskeletal pain resolves quickly. For some people, the discomfort sticks around—sometimes for months or longer. When pain recurs or lasts for longer than three months, it is considered chronic and can affect everything from your sleep and mood to how comfortable you are in your daily activities.
Let’s Talk About the Myths
In this section, we explore five common myths about musculoskeletal pain and how understanding the truth can help you on your path to pain relief.
1. “Musculoskeletal pain only affects the elderly.”
2. “Pain means something is seriously wrong.”
3. “Rest is the best solution.”
4. “Musculoskeletal pain is just ‘part of getting older’.”
5. “If the pain lasts, it’ll never go away.”
Myth #1: “Musculoskeletal pain only affects the elderly.”
Truth: While aging can increase the risk, musculoskeletal pain doesn't discriminate by age. In fact, individuals across all age groups, including children, adolescents, and young adults, can experience it.
Recent studies highlight this reality. A 2024 study conducted in Brazil found that approximately 27% of children and adolescents reported disabling musculoskeletal pain within the previous month, with back pain being the most frequently mentioned complaint. Similarly, research from the Generation R Study in the Netherlands revealed that 23.3% of 13-year-old children reported musculoskeletal pain, with a significant portion experiencing chronic symptoms.
Taken together, these findings underscore the importance of viewing musculoskeletal pain as a concern across the lifespan—not just in older adults. In younger populations, factors like physical activity levels, sedentary habits, and psychosocial stressors can all play a role. Acknowledging that this type of pain can affect individuals at any age is essential for timely intervention and more effective long-term management.
Myth #2: “Pain means something is seriously wrong.”
Truth: Pain has a way of grabbing our attention—it’s supposed to. But that doesn’t always mean there’s a major problem lurking beneath the surface. The truth is, pain is a complex experience. Sometimes it shows up because of actual tissue damage, like a sprained ankle or a broken bone. Other times, it’s more about your body’s sensitivity or nervous system being on high alert.
For example, you might feel lingering back pain long after a minor strain has healed. That doesn’t necessarily mean something is still injured. Instead, your nervous system might be extra protective, sending pain signals even when there's no ongoing harm. Inflammation, stress, past injuries, and even how safe or supported you feel can influence how pain shows up in your body.
Understanding that pain doesn’t always equal damage can be empowering—it opens the door to different kinds of care and support, beyond just searching for something “wrong” to fix.
Myth #3: “Rest is the best solution.”
Truth: When you're dealing with musculoskeletal pain, it's natural to think that resting is the best way to recover. And in the immediate aftermath of an acute injury, short-term rest can indeed be beneficial. However, prolonged inactivity can actually hinder your healing process.
Extended periods of rest may lead to muscle weakness, joint stiffness, and reduced circulation, which can exacerbate pain and delay recovery. Research indicates that engaging in gentle movement—like stretching, walking, or low-impact exercises—can help reduce discomfort and improve function.
Understanding that movement, rather than prolonged rest, is often the better path to recovery can empower you to take active steps toward healing. Always consult with a healthcare professional to determine the most appropriate activity level for your specific condition.
Myth #4: “Musculoskeletal pain is just a natural part of aging.”
Truth: It’s true that our bodies change as we age—joints may stiffen, muscle mass tends to decline, and we might not recover as quickly as we used to. But that doesn’t mean all musculoskeletal pain is an automatic or unavoidable part of growing older.
In fact, research shows that many of the aches and pains commonly blamed on aging are more closely tied to things like decreased physical activity, reduced muscle strength, or poor posture over time.
Understanding that musculoskeletal pain isn’t just “something you have to live with” as you get older empowers people to take proactive steps—like staying active, building strength, and seeking appropriate medical care—to stay mobile and comfortable throughout life.
Myth #5: “If the pain lasts, it’ll never go away.”
Truth: When pain lingers, it can feel like something must be permanently wrong. It’s easy to worry that you’re just going to have to “live with it.” But chronic pain doesn’t mean hopeless pain—and it certainly doesn’t mean the end of options.
The body and nervous system are incredibly adaptable. While long-term pain is often complex—shaped by everything from inflammation to stress to past injury—it can also respond over time to new strategies. This might include supportive movement, mindfulness, better sleep—and increasingly, innovative tools like wearable pain relief patches.
Non-invasive wearables, such as the Signal Relief Patch, are gaining attention for their potential to reduce discomfort without the need for medications or invasive procedures. They are designed to support the body’s natural rhythms, reduce physical tension, or disrupt the brain’s processing of pain “signals.” And while they don’t work the same for everyone, many people find them to be a useful part of their pain management approach.
So, What Actually Causes Musculoskeletal Pain?
There’s no single answer—but here are a few common threads:
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Repetitive use or overuse (think: long hours at a computer or carrying a heavy bag on one shoulder)
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Acute injuries (like a sprained ankle or pulled muscle)
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Poor posture or alignment
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Emotional stress (yes, stress can tighten muscles or aggravate tension)
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Wear and tear from aging or intense activity
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Sedentary Lifestyle
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Circulatory or nerve signaling issues that influence how pain is felt in the body
In many cases, chronic musculoskeletal pain can arise from a combination of factors—like past injuries, repetitive strain, or nervous system hypersensitivity. Often, it’s not about ongoing damage-but how the body processes signals. That doesn’t mean the pain isn’t real. Quite the opposite. Chronic pain often calls for a broader, more holistic approach.
Why Does Understanding Musculoskeletal Pain Matter?
Musculoskeletal pain can be unpredictable, frustrating, and draining. Understanding what musculoskeletal pain actually involves—and distinguishing fact from fiction about its causes—is a powerful first step toward managing your daily comfort more effectively.
While this understanding won’t provide all the answers, it gives you greater clarity to ask the right questions and explore what works best for your body. Whether you’re trying new ways to move, exploring tools like the Signal Relief Patch, discussing options with your healthcare provider, or simply learning to listen to your body, every step matters. There’s no one-size-fits-all solution, but there are many ways to help you feel more comfortable, more in control, and more like yourself again.