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Whether it’s tying shoes, walking downstairs, getting in the car, or simply carrying grandchildren, there are countless everyday activities that blend into our background. Most of us think very little about them. But for her 127 million Americans with musculoskeletal (MSK) pain, these everyday background movements come to the fore.
Unlike heart attack, stroke, or cancer, the MSK condition does not appear in the rankings of America’s leading causes of death. This is because the effects of MSK status typically creep up on us over time, much like arthritis that gradually worsens over the years. There could be some dominoes in. What isn’t mentioned when statistics record heart attacks is comorbid arthritis that makes exercise too painful and is present in more than half of heart patients. Weight gain, depression, social isolation, etc. , is painful to move and almost impossible to stay healthy.
Mortality tables may be missing the domino upstream of MSK, but actuaries certainly aren’t. MSK’s condition cost the U.S. economy a staggering $600 billion in losses, about half of which is avoidable. Additionally, MSK’s spending has doubled for him over the past decade, fueled by elective surgery, with no noticeable improvement in outcome. Behind the economic costs hides the human toll, including constant pain, anxiety and fear of depression.
Many patients consider MSK to be “just part of aging” and take Advil and Tylenol until it’s time for a hip replacement, but that doesn’t have to be the case. Physical therapy (PT) has long been shown to be as effective as back and knee surgery for common conditions. But PT’s course means traffic jams, out-of-pocket expenses, babysitters, and absenteeism.
New technologies such as wearable sensors and AI-powered computer vision have made it possible to capture patient movements from home with the same fidelity as Hollywood movie labs delivering therapeutic exercises using smartphones and tablets.
Ensuring equitable and personalized care
Every person’s MSK status is unique and influenced by biological, psychological, and social factors. This explains why different populations (people of color and rural residents) are affected differently, or disproportionately. A recent CDC National Health Interview Survey analysis found that people of color and low-income people with chronic pain and mental health conditions can experience higher pain levels, which can have a greater impact on their daily lives. shown to be highly viable.
One in four women have pelvic floor muscle dysfunction that can cause persistent pain, urgency, or leakage after coughing. Women suffer an average of 6.5 years before seeking care due to lack of awareness and limited access to pelvic floor physical therapists.
Older adults, long considered digitally naive, are accepting digital physiotherapy care with higher adherence than younger populations. Pain, lack of balance, and fear of losing independence are the primary motivations for mastering technology. A recent study of the Medicare population reported that a senior who participated in a digital PT program had much lower MSK-related costs, with him 6.2 times less than those who received interpersonal physical therapy alone. increase.
Technology allows us to provide consistent, personalized care whether you’re in rural Montana or downtown Manhattan.
treat the whole person
The musculoskeletal system is a hub of overall health that influences and is influenced by lifestyle, behavioral and emotional risk factors such as sleep deprivation, depression, stress and obesity. As such, knee arthritis and chronic back pain can be difficult to address on your own. What is needed is a holistic approach to MSK care that provides not only physical therapy, but also lifestyle modifications and mental health support.
The most thoughtfully designed MSK care programs (digital or otherwise) involve a multidisciplinary care team that combines physical therapists, physicians, nutritionists, health coaches and even social workers.
Increasing adoption of digital care for back and joint pain
More than 400,000 Americans transitioned to digital PT programs this year, a 1000% increase from a few years ago. This is an encouraging sign as many people who previously had no access to PT now have access to it. Continuing to find ways to access these new technologies will help fill more gaps in care and give more people the chance to live healthier, happier lives.
Photo: Liubomir Vorona, Getty Images
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