12 Common Musculoskeletal Injuries I See—and Why They May Occur

If something hurts every time you lift, run, sit at your desk, or get out of bed, you are not alone. In my orthopedic massage practice in Boston and Melrose, I regularly meet people whose discomfort began with a hard workout, a long week at a computer, a sudden awkward movement, or no obvious event at all.

“Musculoskeletal” refers to the muscles, tendons, ligaments, bones, joints, and related tissues that help us move. Some problems start suddenly. Others build gradually when the same area handles more work than it can recover from. Previous injuries, rapid changes in activity, repetitive motion, and movement habits may all contribute.

Here are 12 of the most common problems I encounter and some reasons they may develop.

1. Neck strain and persistent neck tension

Neck discomfort often appears after long periods at a computer, repeated phone use, stressful weeks, unfamiliar exercise, or sleeping in an awkward position. The muscles around the neck and shoulders may work overtime when the head stays in one position for hours.

People often describe stiffness, limited turning, headaches, or a tight band across the tops of the shoulders. Because neck pain can have several causes, symptoms such as arm weakness, persistent numbness, a severe new headache, or pain after a significant injury deserve medical evaluation.

2. Rotator cuff-related shoulder pain

The rotator cuff is a group of muscles and tendons that helps stabilize and move the shoulder. Irritation may develop after repeated overhead activity, throwing, swimming, lifting, or a sudden increase in upper-body training.

You may notice discomfort while reaching overhead, putting on a jacket, lifting an object away from your body, or lying on the affected side. A sudden loss of strength, visible deformity, or an inability to raise the arm after an injury should be assessed by a healthcare professional.

3. Tennis elbow and golfer’s elbow

Despite their names, these conditions are not limited to golfers and tennis players. Repeated gripping, lifting, typing, tool use, and wrist motion can overload the tendons near the elbow.

Tennis elbow usually affects the outside of the elbow, while golfer’s elbow is generally felt on the inside. The irritating activity may be part of a sport, a job, a home project, or a new exercise routine. Modifying the workload is often an important part of addressing the problem.

4. Upper-back strain from desk work and posture

The upper back can become sore when the body stays still for too long. A screen positioned off-center, a chair that offers little support, or hours spent reaching toward a keyboard may ask the muscles between the shoulder blades to hold one position all day.

Posture is not about finding one perfect pose. The body usually prefers variety. Changing position, taking movement breaks, and adjusting the workstation may be more useful than trying to sit rigidly upright for eight hours.

5. Lower-back strain

Lower-back pain may follow lifting, twisting, a new workout, prolonged sitting, or doing too much after a period of inactivity. Sometimes several factors contribute, and a single exact cause cannot be identified.

Muscles and connective tissues may become irritated, and the surrounding area may tighten protectively. Seek medical care for back pain accompanied by new bowel or bladder problems, fever, unexplained weight loss, progressive weakness, significant numbness, or a major fall or injury.

6. Sciatica-like pain and irritation

People often use “sciatica” to describe pain that travels from the lower back or buttock into the leg. True sciatica involves irritation of the sciatic nerve, but other structures can create a similar pattern. That is why a proper medical assessment matters when symptoms persist.

Prolonged sitting, spinal irritation, and surrounding muscle tension may influence how the area feels, but massage therapists do not diagnose the underlying cause. New leg weakness, worsening numbness, or bowel or bladder changes require prompt medical attention.

7. Hip-flexor strain and restricted hips

The hip flexors help lift the thigh and contribute to walking, running, and changing direction. They can become irritated after sprinting, kicking, climbing, repeated sit-ups, or a rapid increase in training.

People who sit for long periods may also feel restricted at the front of the hip, although a feeling of tightness does not always mean the tissue is physically shortened. The pattern may involve workload, strength, movement options, recovery, or irritation elsewhere around the hip.

8. Gluteal and piriformis-related pain

Discomfort in the buttock may appear after running hills, increasing lower-body training, sitting for long periods, or compensating for another painful area. The gluteal muscles and smaller muscles around the hip help control the pelvis and leg during movement.

People sometimes label every deep buttock pain “piriformis syndrome,” but several conditions can feel similar. Pain that travels down the leg, persistent tingling, numbness, or weakness should be evaluated rather than self-diagnosed.

9. Hamstring strains

Hamstring strains commonly occur during sprinting, jumping, sudden acceleration, or rapid stopping. They may also happen when training intensity rises faster than the body can adapt.

The injury can range from a mild strain to a more serious tear. Sudden sharp pain, extensive bruising, major weakness, or difficulty walking warrants medical assessment. Returning to full-speed activity too quickly can increase the risk of reinjury.

10. Patellofemoral pain around the kneecap

Pain at the front of the knee is common in runners, hikers, cyclists, and people who perform frequent squats or stairs. It may appear after a change in mileage, hills, footwear, training volume, or lower-body load.

The issue is not always as simple as the kneecap being “out of place.” Strength, activity dosage, recovery, movement strategy, and sensitivity of the tissues may all matter. Swelling, locking, giving way, or pain after a traumatic injury should be medically evaluated.

11. Calf and Achilles overuse injuries

The calf muscles and Achilles tendon absorb substantial load during walking, running, jumping, and climbing. Symptoms often begin when someone adds hills, speed work, new shoes, court sports, or more weekly mileage without enough time to adapt.

Morning stiffness or pain near the back of the heel can occur with Achilles tendon irritation. A sudden pop, rapid swelling, or an inability to push off the foot may signal a serious injury and needs prompt medical care.

12. Plantar fasciitis and foot pain

Plantar heel pain is often strongest during the first steps in the morning or after rest. It may develop alongside changes in walking or running volume, prolonged standing, footwear, or load on the foot.

Not every painful heel is plantar fasciitis, so persistent symptoms deserve a clear diagnosis. Foot comfort, gradual loading, lower-leg capacity, and activity choices may all be part of the picture.

What these problems often have in common

Although every person is different, many musculoskeletal problems share a familiar story: the demand placed on an area temporarily exceeds its ability to recover. That demand may come from one sudden event or from smaller stresses repeated over days and weeks.

Pain is also influenced by more than tissue alone. Sleep, stress, recovery time, previous injuries, general health, and confidence in movement can affect the experience. That does not make pain imaginary; it means the body is complex, and good care should consider the whole person.

Where orthopedic massage may fit

Orthopedic massage is not a substitute for medical diagnosis, emergency care, or physical therapy when those services are needed. Within an appropriate plan, hands-on work may help some people feel more comfortable, explore movement, and manage muscle tension while they address workload, strength, recovery, and other contributing factors.

During a session, I want to understand what you feel, what activities matter to you, and what you hope to return to. I do not assume that the painful spot is the whole story, and I do not promise a quick fix.

If you are dealing with one of these common pain patterns and want to discuss whether orthopedic massage fits your situation, you can learn more about my services or book an appointment in Boston or Melrose.

This article is for general education and is not medical advice or a diagnosis. Seek appropriate medical care for severe, worsening, traumatic, or neurologic symptoms.