Bones, Muscles and Joints

Commonly, many patients will experience pain, swelling and stiffness in their lower backs, knees and shoulders. It is, of course, advised to consult your health care provider before starting any treatment, but the following can usually be done safely:

1. Apply moist heat (heating pad, baths, showers) to draw blood to the affected area, to allow healing to occur. Especially good for muscular spasm and chronic pain/body aches. DO NOT use it over surgical sites, swollen/red/hot joints. Can use for 15-20 min, a few times per day.
2. Apply ice packs to reduce inflammation to muscles and joints. Especially good for new injuries in the first 48 hours, or active red/swollen/hot joints. Can use for 15-20 min, up to once per hour as required.
3. Consult a physiotherapist, registered massage therapist, acupuncture, or chiropractor as recommended by your health care provider. For exercises at home, here are a few links:
• Exercise Advice for Back Pain
• Healthy Lifestyle Back Exercises
• Exercises to Help Relieve Knee Pain
• Frozen Shoulder Exercises
4. Medication should generally start with acetaminophen (Tylenol) every 4 hours as directed. Ibuprofen (Advil) can also be used up to three times per day, at the advice of your health care provider. Ibuprofen should not be used in patients with stomach ulcers, kidney disease, uncontrolled high blood pressure, bleeding disorders or if taking blood thinners. Consult your health care provider if additional pain control is required.
5. Warning signs of bony, muscular and joint pains are:
   • fever
   • weight loss
   • night pain
   • numbness and weakness
   • loss of bowel or bladder control
   • history of cancer
   • prolonged pain over 6 weeks

Consult your health care provider immediately if any warning signs apply to you