The human musculoskeletal system (also known as the locomotor system) is the organ system that gives us the ability to move by using our muscles and skeletal system together. Ligaments and cartilage connect our bones at our joints (cartilage helps reduce friction and support bones), and tendons attach our skeletal muscle to our bones.

It's an amazing, complex system and it's not uncommon for things to go wrong from time to time. In fact, more than 30 percent of people will experience back or neck pain in their lifetime. While auto or sports-related accidents are usually to blame, heredity, overall body composition, and even daily habits are often factors. That's why Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation specialists (also called physiatrists) treat you, the person, not just your symptoms.