Prevention Practice For Musculo

Skeletal Conditions
Arham Shamsi
 AGING THEORY

• No one knows how and why people change as they

get older. Some theories claim that aging is caused
by injuries from ultraviolet light over time, wear and
tear on the body, or byproducts of metabolism. Other
theories view aging as a predetermined process
controlled by genes.

•
 Modern biological theories
• Modern biological theories of ageing in humans
currently fall into two main categories: programmed
and damage or error theories.
 Intro
• The Mysteries that control human lifespan are yet to be unraveled

• Theories fall into two main categories:

• Programmed and Error Theories

• Programmed > Aging follows a biological timetable, perhaps a continuation of the one that
regulates childhood growth and development. This regulation would depend on changes in
gene expression that affect the systems responsible for maintenance, repair and defense
responses.

• Error > The damage or error theories emphasize environmental assaults to living organisms
that induce cumulative damage at various levels as the cause of aging.

• Above Mentioned Theories proposed to explain the process of aging, but neither of them
appears to be fully satisfactory.
 Modern biological theories of aging in
humans
The programmed theory has three sub-categories
1> Programmed Longevity. Aging is the result of a sequential switching on and off of
certain genes.
2> Endocrine Theory. Biological clocks act through hormones to control the pace of
aging. Recent studies confirm that aging is hormonally regulated and that the
evolutionarily conserved insulin/IGF-1 signaling (IIS) pathway plays a key role in the
hormonal regulation of aging.
3> Immunological Theory. The immune system is programmed to decline over
time, which leads to an increased vulnerability to infectious disease and thus aging
and death. It is well documented that the effectiveness of the immune system
peaks at puberty and gradually declines thereafter with advance in age. For
example, as one grows older, antibodies lose their effectiveness, and fewer new
diseases can be combated effectively by the body, which causes cellular stress and
eventual death
Indeed, dysregulated immune response has been linked to cardiovascular disease,
inflammation, Alzheimer’s disease (AD), and cancer
• The damage or error theory include 4 sub categories

• 1> Wear and tear theory. Cells and tissues have vital parts that wear out resulting in aging. Like
components of an aging car, parts of the body eventually wear out from repeated use, killing them and
then the body.

• 2> Rate of living theory. The greater an organism’s rate of oxygen basal metabolism, the shorter its life
span

• 3> Cross-linking theory. According to this theory, an accumulation of cross-linked proteins damages
cells and tissues, slowing down bodily processes resulting in aging. Recent studies show that cross-
linking reactions are involved in the age related changes in the studied proteins

• 4> Free radicals theory. Proposes that superoxide and other free radicals cause damage to the
macromolecular components of the cell, giving rise to accumulated damage causing cells, and
eventually organs, to stop functioning. The macromolecules such as nucleic acids, lipids, sugars, and
proteins are susceptible to free radical attack.
TERMS TO DESCRIBE TYPES OF CELL CHANGES
Atrophy:
Cells shrink. If enough cells decrease in size, the entire organ atrophies. This is often a normal aging
change and can occur in any tissue. It is most common in skeletal muscle, the heart, the brain, and the
sex organs (such as the breasts).
The cause of atrophy is unknown, but may include reduced use, decreased workload, decreased blood
supply or nutrition to the cells, and reduced stimulation by nerves or hormones.
Hypertrophy:
Cells enlarge. This is caused by an increase of proteins in the cell membrane and cell structures, not an
increase in the cell's fluid.
When some cells atrophy, others may hypertrophy to make up for the loss of cell mass.
Hyperplasia:
The number of cells increases. There is an increased rate of cell division.
Hyperplasia usually occurs to compensate for a loss of cells. It allows some organs and tissues to
regenerate, including the skin, lining of the intestines, liver, and bone marrow. The liver is especially
good at regeneration. It can replace up to 70% of its structure within 2 weeks after an injury.
Tissues that have limited ability to regenerate include bone, cartilage, and smooth muscle (such as the
muscles around the intestines). Tissues that rarely or never regenerate include the nerves, skeletal
muscle, heart muscle, and the lens of the eye. When injured, these tissues are replaced with scar tissue.
• Dysplasia:
• The size, shape, or organization of mature cells becomes
abnormal. This is also called atypical hyperplasia.
• Dysplasia is fairly common in the cells of the cervix and the
lining of the respiratory tract.
• Neoplasia:
• The formation of tumors, either cancerous (malignant) or
noncancerous (benign).
• Neoplastic cells often reproduce quickly. They may have
unusual shapes and abnormal function.
 Changes in MusculoSkeletal System
• As muscles age, they begin to shrink and lose mass. This is a natural
process, but a sedentary lifestyle can accelerate it.
• The number and size of muscle fibers also decrease. Thus, it takes
muscles longer to respond in our 50s than they did in our 20s.
• The water content of tendons, decreases as we age. This makes the
tissues stiffer and less able to tolerate stress.
• Handgrip strength decreases, making it more difficult to accomplish routine
activities such as opening a jar or turning a key.
• The heart muscle becomes less able to propel large quantities of blood
quickly to the body. We tire more quickly and take longer to recover.
• The body's metabolic rate (how quickly the body converts food into energy)
slows. This can lead to obesity and an increase in "bad" cholesterol levels.
 Aging Bone
• Throughout life, bones constantly change through a process of absorption and
formation called "remodeling." As we age, the balance between bone absorption
and bone formation changes, resulting in a loss of bone tissue.
• The mineral content of bones decreases, so that bones become less dense and
more fragile.
• As bones lose mass, osteoporosis develops, affecting both women and men. In
the spine, osteoporosis can lead to crush fractures of the vertebrae, resulting in a
"dowager's hump." Osteoporosis is also responsible for almost all hip fractures in
older men and women.
• The chemistry of cartilage, which provides cushioning between bones, changes.
With less water content, the cartilage becomes more susceptible to stress. As
cartilage degenerates, arthritis can develop.
• Ligaments, connective tissues between bones, become less elastic, reducing
flexibility.
 Aging Joint
• Joint motion becomes more restricted and flexibility
decreases with age because of changes in tendons
and ligaments.
• As the cushioning cartilage begins to break down
from a lifetime of use, joints become inflamed and
arthritic.
 Aging changes in hormone production
• The endocrine system is made up of organs and tissues that produce
hormones. Hormones are natural chemicals produced in one location,
released into the bloodstream, then used by other target organs and
systems.
• Hormones control the target organs. Some organ systems have their own
internal control systems along with, or instead of, hormones.
• As we age, changes naturally occur in the way body systems are
controlled. Some target tissues become less sensitive to their controlling
hormone. The amount of hormones produced may also change.
• Blood levels of some hormones increase, some decrease, and some are
unchanged. Hormones are also broken down (metabolized) more slowly.
 Aging Nervous System
• Brain and spinal cord lose nerve cells and weight
(atrophy). Nerve cells may begin to pass messages
more slowly(Demylination)

• (lipofuscin) can also build up in nerve tissue.

 Counteracting the Effects of Aging
• Many of the changes in our musculoskeletal system result more from disuse
than from simple aging
• Stretching is an excellent way to help maintain joint flexibility. Weight training
can increase muscle mass and strength, enabling people to continue their
daily routine activities without maximal exertion. Even moderate amounts of
physical activity can reduce your risk of developing high blood pressure,
heart disease, and some forms of cancer.
• Long-term regular exercises may slow the loss of muscle mass and prevent
age-associated increases in body fat. Exercise also helps maintain the
body's response time, as well as its ability to deliver and use oxygen
efficiently. Just 30 minutes of moderate activity, incorporated into your daily
routine, can provide health benefits.
• .
• An exercise program doesn't have to be strenuous to be
effective. Walking, square dancing, swimming, and
bicycling are all recommended activities for maintaining
fitness as we age.
• The 30 minutes of moderate activity can be broken up into
shorter periods. For example, you might spend 15 minutes
working in the garden in the morning and 15 minutes
walking in the afternoon. It all adds up.
• But if you have never attempted an exercise program
before, be sure to see your doctor before starting one now
 Ergonomics
• ERGO=“Work”
• NOMICS=“Rules” or “Laws
• Ergonomics =“The Laws of Work”
 History
Bernardo Ramazzini the father of occupational medicine,
first introduced the common musculoskeletal disorders
that arose from eighteenth century occupations
“The Diseases of Workers”

• OSHA defines ergonomics as the science of “designing

the job to fit the worker, instead of forcing the worker to
fit the job.”
• Occupational Safety and Health Administration
 Ergonomics:
– Makes the job safer by preventing injury and illness
– Makes the job easier by adjusting the job to the worker
– Makes the job more pleasant by reducing physical and
mental stress
– Saves money
 Categories of Ergonomic
– Environmental
– Hearing
– Vision
– General comfort and health

Evamples >
– Sick Building Syndrome
– Excessive noise
– Improper lighting
– Temperature extremes
Physical
Physical stressors place pressure or stress on parts
of the body:
Joints, muscles, nerves, tendons, bones
• “Cumulative Trauma Disorders” (CTDs) or
“Repetitive Strain Injuries” (RSIs)
 CTD’s
Occurring gradually over a period of weeks, months, or years
 Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
 Epicondylitis
 Tenosynovitis
 Bursitis
• Avoidable sickness absence at work, promotes the
idea of early access to occupational health, this
includes specialist physiotherapy services.

• Physiotherapy is clinically and cost effective at

keeping people at work or helping workers return
quickly after sickness absence
 Prevention Strategies

• The elbows should be at a comfortable angle while

"hanging" at the sides from the shoulders. The
shoulders should remain relaxed in a lowered position
while typing.
 Avoid leaning forward at your desk
– Maintain natural “s” curve of your spine
– Support lower back
– Keep feet supported on floor or use a foot rest
 The keyboard should be slightly lower than normal
desk height.
 Ifit is not low enough, try raising your chair height.
Prevent your legs from dangling by using a footrest.
 Keep "home row" of keys at elbow level.
 Adjust your chair!
 Do not pound the keys. Use a light touch.
 Use two hands to perform double key operations like Ctrl-C or Alt-F
instead of twisting one hand to do it.
 Position frequently used equipment so that you don’t have to reach
for it.
 Place monitor in front of you, not off at an angle.
 Take lots of breaks to stretch and relax.
 Hold the mouse lightly.
 Keep your hands and arms warm
 Pay attention to the signals your body provides you.

If your neck hurts at work, examine your body position to

try to figure out what might be causing the soreness. Are
you holding your neck at an awkward angle while you type
or talk on the phone
 Cervicogenic Headaches
 Many office-related headaches are caused by eyestrain.
– Dry eyes
– Monitor glare
– Tired/strained eye muscles
 Position monitor at a comfortable distance
 Avoid glare
 Adjust VDT brightness and contrast
 Keep screen clear of dust
 Look up and away every few minutes or so!
 There are a variety of ergonomic products available on the
market, including:
– Keyboards
– Wrist rests
– Mouse pads
– Chairs
– Adjustable desks
– Glare screens