ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT

Chronic Musculoskeletal Pain

Understanding the Pain That Affects Your Bones, Muscles, and Joints

What Is Chronic Musculoskeletal Pain?

Musculoskeletal (MSK) pain refers to discomfort that affects your muscles, joints, ligaments, tendons, or soft tissue. This type of pain is common, but when it lasts for longer than 3 months, it becomes chronic.

Unlike acute pain from an obvious injury, chronic MSK pain:

Develops slowly over time
May result from overuse, poor posture, or past injuries
Can be misdiagnosed or brushed off as normal ageing
Often returns in cycles, triggered by certain movements or habits

How Does It Feel?

Chronic MSK pain is often described as:

A deep, dull ache, often localised to a joint or muscle group
Stiffness or tightness, especially after rest or sleep
Pain that worsens with activity like walking, standing, or sitting too long
Mild relief with rest, but never fully going away

Common Causes We See in Clinic

Plantar Fasciitis
Piriformis Syndrome
Iliotibial Band (ITB) Syndrome

Pain under the heel or arch, especially in the morning or after long periods of standing
Caused by strain or inflammation of the plantar fascia ligament

A deep ache in the buttock, sometimes radiating down the leg
Results from the piriformis muscle irritating the nearby sciatic nerve

Pain on the outer knee or thigh, especially in runners or walkers
Caused by tightness or friction from the IT band rubbing over bone

These issues may seem unrelated, but they often stem from the same root problems, how your body moves, balances, and compensates over time.

How It Affects Daily Life

Even if the pain is mild, chronic MSK issues can slowly chip away at your quality of life:

You may avoid walking, standing, or climbing stairs
You might wake up feeling stiff or unrefreshed
It can be hard to return to exercise or hobbies
You may develop compensatory pain in your back, hip, or knees

Many patients come in after months of trying to push through the pain, only to find it’s starting to affect their sleep, hobbies, or even mood.

What Can Be Done?

Depending on your assessment, Dr Nicholas Chua may recommend:

Targeted injections to relieve local inflammation or muscle tightness
Physiotherapy to improve posture, strength, and movement mechanics
Supportive medications to reduce pain sensitivity or swelling
Lifestyle strategies to manage triggers and prevent flare-ups

The right plan depends on your unique condition and goals.

Don’t Let Chronic Pain Slow You Down

Chronic musculoskeletal pain can be managed and improved. You don’t have to live with it or “just get used to it.”

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Specialist Pain International treats acute, chronic, and cancer pain with expert diagnosis, therapies, and patient-first care for faster recovery.

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