Three Surprising Medications that Can Trigger Musculoskeletal Pain

Typically speaking, musculoskeletal pain is the kind of discomfort patients have that affects bones, muscles, ligaments, tendons, and even nerves. When chiropractors and physical therapists are managing musculoskeletal complaints, they need to be sure that they are covering all of their bases when it comes to finding the causes of your pain. If you have recently become a new patient of ours, you may have noticed that our intake form actually has a section to list your medications. While most chiropractors tend to focus on manual therapies to just relieve pain, the doctors here at BC + PT like to take a look at the big picture and see if any of the medications that you are taking could actually be triggering your musculoskeletal pain.  By having a clearer idea as to what is causing pain, we can make more informed decisions on your personalized treatment plan! 

Anti-acne; but pro muscle aches? 

That's right, the anti-acne drug accutane, commonly used among adolescents and young adults,  has a side effect of causing muscle and joint pain (among also dryness of skin and mucous membranes). According to the National Library of Medicine about 16% of adults who take accutane experience musculoskeletal symptoms such as back pain. 

Fluoroquinolone Antibiotics 

While it is not very common, there is a possibility that the antibiotics that you take can be making you tired and cause muscle fatigue. If you are getting serious side effects of tendon, muscle, or joint pain in the knees, elbows or shoulders, or experiencing numbness or tingling, then you should see your primary care provider as soon as possible. For more information about Fluoroquinolone, check out this article from the FDA. 

Cholesterol Medication 

Statins are prescription medications that many people use to manage their high cholesterol.  Having high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes or using tobacco products make you more at risk for getting heart disease. Although mild muscle pain is common, some people who take statins may have severe pain, a symptom of rhabdomyolysis. 

Musculoskeletal Pain Treatment Options

When it comes to musculoskeletal pain, your primary care doctor can help you, and may even recommend a variety of different specialists - including physical therapy! The BC + PT team is more than happy to help with all of your physical therapy needs! Whether your pain comes from overuse, an injury, or from arthritis, your physical therapist may use a variety of different modalities, both active and passive, to help you heal. 

Talking to a medical professional about your musculoskeletal discomfort can help you get the head start you need to manage your pain. If you are ready to stop hurting and start healing, give us a call or fill out one of our contact forms today!