The most common musculoskeletal problems – by topic

For easier navigation, we have arranged the problems into four groups. Open the one that is closest to yours and click on the condition that affects you – there you will find suitable devices and information in detail.

Joint conditions ▼

Degenerative and inflammatory conditions affecting the joints, causing pain, stiffness and restricted movement. These include:

Osteoarthritis (joint wear) – the most common joint disorder
Arthritis (joint inflammation)
Rheumatoid arthritis – an inflammatory autoimmune joint condition

Spinal and nerve-related problems ▼

Problems affecting the spine and the nerves arising from it, which may cause back, lower back or radiating pain. These include:

Disc herniation
Sciatica – the most common form of radiating leg pain
Lumbago (lower back pain)

Tendon, ligament and soft-tissue problems ▼

Tendon and soft-tissue problems caused by overuse or inflammation, typically affecting the elbow, wrist or heel. These include:

Tennis elbow
Tendon sheath inflammation
Carpal tunnel syndrome – carpal tunnel syndrome
Heel spur
Plantar fasciitis

Muscle, bone and rehabilitation conditions ▼

Conditions affecting the muscles and bones, as well as support during recovery after surgery. These include:

Muscle wasting
Fibromyalgia – chronic, widespread muscle pain
Bone marrow oedema
Rehabilitation after knee surgery

Which device is useful for what – briefly

For most musculoskeletal problems, the purpose of each device group differs: TENS is used for direct pain relief, EMS for strengthening the muscles and rehabilitating weakened muscles, soft laser and therapeutic ultrasound for reducing inflammation and supporting tissue regeneration, while magnetotherapy is used to promote bone and soft-tissue recovery. Many devices combine several functions. We explain which option may be most suitable for your problem on the page for the specific condition.

Important information

The devices presented here complement medical treatment and physiotherapy; they do not replace them. It is important to have the cause of musculoskeletal problems assessed by a doctor, because the precise diagnosis determines the appropriate treatment – and for certain conditions, such as inflammatory or autoimmune diseases, specialist medical treatment is the priority. Electrotherapy and soft-laser devices have their own contraindications, such as a pacemaker, pregnancy, treatment over a tumour or fever – take these into account. Seek medical advice if the pain is severe or persistent, if it is accompanied by numbness or muscle weakness, or if it developed after an injury. It is advisable to discuss the use of any device with your doctor or physiotherapist.

Frequently asked questions

+ I don’t know exactly what’s wrong – where should I start?

Start where the problem occurs: for joint pain and stiffness, look in the joint conditions group; for back or radiating leg pain, look under spinal and nerve-related problems; for elbow, wrist or heel pain, look under tendon and soft-tissue problems. If you are unsure, or the pain is severe and persistent, have a doctor or physiotherapist establish the precise diagnosis first – this will guide the choice of the appropriate device.

+ Can one device be suitable for several problems?

Yes, many multifunctional electrotherapy devices can be used for several types of musculoskeletal problem (TENS for pain, EMS for muscles, and often additional programmes). This is especially useful if you have several problems or if several members of the family would use the device. To choose the right device, it helps to know which functions you will need – you can decide this based on the individual condition pages and your doctor’s advice.

+ Does the device replace physiotherapy?

No. Physical therapy devices complement physiotherapy and medical treatment – they work best together. EMS, for example, may support muscle strengthening, but regular, professionally supervised physiotherapy remains fundamental in musculoskeletal rehabilitation. Devices may accelerate recovery and relieve pain, but they do not replace movement or professionally guided exercise.

+ When should I definitely see a doctor?

If the pain is severe or persistent, if it is accompanied by numbness, muscle weakness or a feeling of paralysis, which may indicate nerve involvement, if it developed after an injury or accident, or if it occurs with fever, joint swelling or skin redness. These symptoms require assessment. Establishing a precise diagnosis is always a medical task – home devices are most useful afterwards, as a complement to treatment.

Summary – Quick overview

What is this page? A guide to the most common musculoskeletal problems, with links to detailed pages for each condition.

Which groups? Joint conditions, spinal and nerve-related problems, tendon and soft-tissue problems, muscle/bone and rehabilitation conditions.

Which devices? Electrotherapy (TENS/EMS), soft laser, therapeutic ultrasound and magnetotherapy – depending on the nature of the problem.

What they have in common: The devices complement medical treatment and physiotherapy; the precise diagnosis is the first step.

When should I see a doctor? In the case of severe or persistent pain, numbness, muscle weakness, or a problem following an injury or accompanied by fever.

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Musculoskeletal conditions