Proven Science. Studies Supporting the Lifestyle+MSK Health Connection.

Prescribe FIT is a proven lifestyle health coaching and orthopedic wellness program backed by dozens of recent clinical studies. 

Musculoskeletal (MSK) issues, such as joint pain, arthritis, and back problems, are among the leading causes of disability worldwide. While genetics and aging play a role, lifestyle factors like diet, physical activity, and body weight have an undeniable impact on MSK health. Research shows that addressing these lifestyle factors can prevent or reduce the severity of MSK issues, offering hope to millions managing chronic conditions.

The Role of Obesity in MSK Disorders  

One of the most significant lifestyle factors influencing MSK health is obesity. Carrying excess body weight places additional stress on bones, joints, and muscles, contributing to the onset and progression of conditions like osteoarthritis and back pain. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) highlights that obesity accelerates joint degeneration and increases the risk of MSK injuries (CDC, 2024). 

A comprehensive review found that obesity not only accelerates cartilage wear in weight-bearing joints but also triggers low-grade inflammation, further damaging joint tissues (NCBI, 2021). Moreover, studies show that individuals with higher body mass index (BMI) are more likely to experience widespread MSK pain and greater pain sensitivity (PubMed, 2024). 

For instance, a review on obesity and knee osteoarthritis concluded that even modest weight loss significantly reduces joint pain and improves function (ScienceDirect, 2021). These findings underscore the importance of weight management as a cornerstone of MSK health. 

Activity Impacts Our Orthopedic Health

Regular exercise is vital for maintaining MSK health, improving bone density, muscle strength, and joint stability. The World Health Organization’s 2020 guidelines emphasize the importance of staying active to counteract the effects of sedentary behavior on MSK health (BMJ, 2020). 

However, the type and intensity of exercise matter. High-impact activities, especially in individuals with existing MSK issues, can exacerbate symptoms. For those with arthritis or obesity, low-impact exercises like swimming, cycling, or yoga can provide relief while enhancing mobility (OrthoInfo, 2021). Which is why at Prescribe FIT, we personalize each patient’s program based on their unique needs and conditions.  

A meta-analysis revealed that tailored physical training programs improve physical fitness in individuals with class II and III obesity, enhancing both cardiovascular and MSK outcomes (Oxford Academic, 2020). Additionally, research suggests that regular exercise can reduce the psychological stress often associated with chronic pain, highlighting the mind-body connection in MSK health (NeuroLaunch, 2024). 

The Importance Nutrition Plays in MSK Disorders

Nutrition plays a critical role in maintaining strong bones and preventing MSK disorders. Diets rich in anti-inflammatory foods, such as omega-3 fatty acids, fruits, and vegetables, can help manage symptoms of arthritis and other inflammatory conditions (ScienceDirect, 2020). On the opposite end, diets high in processed foods and sugars can increase inflammation and MSK pain (PubMed, 2022). 

Calcium and vitamin D are particularly important for bone health. Studies indicate that inadequate intake of these nutrients can lead to osteoporosis, increasing the risk of fractures. A review on nutrition and exercise highlights the combined effects of diet and physical activity in preserving bone density and muscle mass (PubMed, 2019). 

In the Prescribe FIT PACE app, we offer healthy meal recipes for our patients, so they can find nutritious options that support their health journey without having to sacrifice taste.  

Understanding the Effects of Stress on Joints and Muscles

Psychological stress also influences MSK health. Chronic stress can lead to muscle tension, reduced physical activity, and inflammatory responses, all of which contribute to MSK pain. Research on the “joint psychology” of MSK health reveals that managing stress through mindfulness, therapy, or physical activity can significantly improve outcomes for individuals with chronic MSK conditions (NeuroLaunch, 2024). 

Conclusion

The evidence is undeniable that MSK health is deeply intertwined with lifestyle factors, including weight, physical activity, diet, and stress management. By making conscious choices to lead a healthier lifestyle, individuals can reduce their risk of MSK disorders and improve their quality of life. At Prescribe FIT, we’re here to support patients every step of the way with tailored guidance and evidence-based resources. 

Sources and Further Reading 

For further reading check out this list of studies: 

1. Prevention of MSK Conditions: The Obesity Epidemic (Copyright 2021) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK585951/ 
2. Body Mass Index and Musculoskeletal Pain: A Cross-Sectional Study (Feb. 17,2021) https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7971720/ 
3. A Review of Current Guidelines for the Treatment of Obesity (Dec. 14, 2022) https://www.ajmc.com/view/review-of-current-guidelines-for-the-treatment-of-obesity 
4. The impact of obesity on bone health: an overview (Dec.15, 2022). https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36519653/ 
5. Impact of Physical Training Programs on Physical Fitness in People with Class II and III Obesity: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis (June 6, 2020) https://academic.oup.com/ptj/article/100/6/963/5811220 
6. Managing Arthritis Pain with Exercise (December 2021) https://orthoinfo.aaos.org/en/treatment/managing-arthritis-pain-with-exercise 
7. Exercise as Medicine During the Course of Hip Osteoarthritis (April 1, 2021) https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33481454/ 
8. Obesity Treatment in Orthopaedic Surgery (Dec. 15th, 2022) https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36476464/ 
9. Evidence review for the benefit of weight loss for the management of osteoarthritis for people living with overweight or obesity (November 2022) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK590292/ 
10. The Implications of Obesity on Total Hip Arthroplasties: A Literature Review of the Associated Complications (July 4,2023) https://www.orthojournal.org/public/articles/the-implications-of-obesity-on-total-hip-arthroplasties-a-literature-review-of-the-associated-complications.html 
11. Movement Is Life—Optimizing Patient Access to Total Joint Arthroplasty: Obesity Disparities (November 1, 2022).  https://journals.lww.com/jaaos/Fulltext/2022/11010/Movement_Is_Life_Optimizing_Patient_Access_to.6.aspx 
12. Pathogenesis and clinical management of obesity-related knee osteoarthritis: Impact of mechanical loading (September 2020) https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2214031X2030067X 
13. Pathogenesis and clinical management of obesity-related knee osteoarthritis: Impact of mechanical loading (May 15,2020) https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7349942/ 
14. Association between lifestyle and musculoskeletal pain: cross-sectional study among 10,000 adults from the general working population, (Dec. 17,2019) https://bmcmusculoskeletdisord.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12891-019-3002-5 
15. Global burden of musculoskeletal disorders and attributable factors in 204 countries and territories: a secondary analysis of the Global Burden of Disease 2019 study (June 29, 2022) https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9244680/ 
16. Health and Economic Outcomes Associated with Musculoskeletal Disorders Attributable to High Body Mass Index in 192 Countries and Territories in 2019 (January 20, 2023) https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2800695 
17. Body composition and body mass index are independently associated with widespread pain and experimental pain sensitivity in older adults: a pilot investigation (June 20,2024) https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/pain-research/articles/10.3389/fpain.2024.1386573/full 
18. Quantifying the Strain: A Global Burden of Disease (GBD) Perspective on Musculoskeletal Disorders in the United States Over Three Decades: 1990–2019 (November 5, 2024) https://www.mdpi.com/2077-0383/13/22/6732 
19. The Relationship Between Body Mass Index and Pain Intensity Among Veterans with Musculoskeletal Disorders: Findings from the MSD Cohort Study (March 18, 2020) https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7778330/ 
20. Recommendations for weight management in osteoarthritis: A systematic review of clinical practice guidelines (August 5,2022) https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9718266/ 
21. Potential mechanisms linking psychological stress to bone health. (January 1, 2021) https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7797546/ 
22. Older age does not influence the success of weight loss through the implementation of lifestyle modification (October 22,2020) https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/cen.14354 
23. Interaction of Nutrition and Exercise on Bone and Muscle. (April 12th, 2019) https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6587895/ 
24. Joint Psychology: Exploring the Mind-Body Connection in Musculoskeletal Health.  (September 14,2024)  https://neurolaunch.com/joint-psychology/ 
25. The relationship between obesity and primary Total Knee Replacement: A scoping review of the literature (July 2021) https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1878124121000071 
26. Obesity-Related Knee Osteoarthritis—Current Concepts (July 25,2023) https://www.mdpi.com/2075-1729/13/8/1650 
27. Physiology, Stress Reaction (May 7,2024) Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK541120/ 
28. Class III Obesity (Formerly Known as Morbid Obesity) (November 2, 2021) https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/21989-class-iii-obesity-formerly-known-as-morbid-obesity 
29. Consequences of Obesity. https://www.cdc.gov/obesity/basics/consequences.html 
30. World Health Organization 2020 guidelines on physical activity and sedentary behavior https://bjsm.bmj.com/content/54/24/1451 
31. Cardiorespiratory fitness, body mass index and mortality: a systematic review and meta-analysis. https://bjsm.bmj.com/content/early/2024/11/07/bjsports-2024-108748