Musculoskeletal disorders are pathologies These conditions are particularly prevalent in France. For example, they account for more than 87%* of occupational illnesses that can lead to sick leave. However, these types of conditions can be effectively managed, notably through motor imaging. We will explore this further in the rest of this article.
Musculoskeletal disorders: definition
Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) encompass a range of conditions affecting the joints (wrists, elbows, shoulders, spine, or even, in some cases, the knees). These disorders can impact, among other things, the muscles, tendons, or ligaments located near the aforementioned joints.
The various musculoskeletal disorders
There are various musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) that can occur or be aggravated by certain occupational activities or intense sports. Among the most common are:
- Carpal tunnel syndrome (in 38%* of cases): this syndrome impacts the wrist joint;
- rotator cuff syndrome of the shoulder (in 30%* of cases);
- Lateral epicondylitis (in 22% of cases): this pathology is directly related to the elbow joint;
- lower back pain (in 7% of cases): this defines back pain, located in the lumbar region.
What factors contribute to the development of musculoskeletal disorders?
As previously mentioned, the onset or worsening of musculoskeletal disorders generally occurs in the context of intense professional or sporting activity, where certain extreme postures are regularly performed. These include:
- twisting movements of the wrist or trunk;
- repeated flexion and extension of the elbow joint;
- movements performed with the arms above the shoulders;
- the repetition of the same movement, using the same muscle groups and the same joints;
- lifting heavy loads.
What treatment is available for musculoskeletal disorders?
Depending on the nature of the musculoskeletal disorder affecting the patient, a treatment tailored to the situation should be implemented. The first step is to eliminate the posture that caused the condition and help the patient regain proper movement and/or positioning, particularly through motor imagery, as we will explore together later in this article.
If the pain is too intense, healthcare professionals may also prescribe non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and analgesics. Massage, physiotherapy, and/or functional rehabilitation sessions may also be considered to alleviate the consequences of musculoskeletal disorders.
Motor imagery and musculoskeletal disorders
Motor imagery is a term to be distinguished from imagination and the imaginary world. It is in fact a concrete mental practice which consists of mentally performing a motor action without any movement being actually observable (1).
But mentally simulating a movement is far more complex than it first appears. This complexity lies primarily in the multitude of factors influencing imagery. For example, mentally imagining a movement can be based on visual modalities; in this case, the individual imagines performing a sequence of movements as an external observer or from the performer's perspective.
On the other hand, the mental execution of a movement can be based on the kinesthetic modality; this involves imagining oneself experiencing the sensations that the movement sequence provides. These types of imagery are well documented in the scientific literature, particularly regarding their therapeutic potential.
The neuro-functional importance of motor imagery
Motor imagery is increasingly documented scientifically in the context of rehabilitation due to its neurofunctional equivalence with physical activity (2). As highlighted by neuroimaging, real and imagined movements share common neural circuits (3). This property makes motor imagery responsible for stimulating the central pathways dedicated to motor control. Consequently, this mental practice appears to be usable as a therapeutic tool.
Imaging in the service of motor inhibition following musculoskeletal injuries
While motor imagery can be applied to a wide range of injuries, we will focus on its application following musculoskeletal injury and, more specifically, on the consequences of associated motor inhibition. Motor inhibition is well identified by its clinically visible and/or persistent consequences, known as "flexion contracture." This inability to perform voluntary muscle contraction has been studied by numerous researchers who have revealed not only spinal and muscular mechanisms, but also cerebral changes. Recently (4), a study demonstrated the beneficial effects of motor imagery on motor inhibition.
More specifically, one of the benefits of imagery practice for musculoskeletal disorders has been pain reduction. In addition to reinforcing the idea of complementing current therapeutic programs with mental practice, this new study demonstrates the promising future of motor imagery for addressing voluntary contraction impairments following musculoskeletal injuries. While this concept appears novel in the scientific literature, it is not new clinically.
Indeed, certified Allyane practitioners already use mental practice combined with listening to low-frequency sounds for the rehabilitation of motor inhibitions. Although the mechanisms of this association are not yet fully understood, the Allyane method has shown encouraging empirical results in improving functional motor skills, further highlighting the very strong potential of using motor imagery.
Would you like to learn more about the Allyane method for treating musculoskeletal disorders? Feel free to contact us or check out our training courses.
- Jeannerod, M. The representing brain: Neural correlates of motor intention and imagery. Behav Brain Sci17, 187–202 (1994).
- Jackson, PL, Lafleur, MF, Malouin, F., Richards, C. & Doyon, J. Potential role of mental practice using motor imagery in neurologic rehabilitation. Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation 82, 1133–1141 (2001).
- Hardwick, RM, Caspers, S., Eickhoff, SB & Swinnen, SP Neural correlates of action: Comparing meta-analyses of imagery, observation, and execution. Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews 94, 31–44 (2018).
- Oda, S. et al. Promising Effect of Visually-Assisted Motor Imagery Against Arthrogenic Muscle Inhibition – A Human Experimental Pain Study. J Pain Res 14, 285–295 (2021).
* Source: https://www.ameli.fr/assure/sante/themes/tms/comprendre-troubles-musculosquelettiques