![][1] Copyrighted Material, used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons Limited. For personal use only, must not be reproduced or shared with third parties. Anyone wishing to reproduce this content in whole or in part, in print or in electronic format, should contact digitalrightsuk@wiley.com Browse the ABC series at www.wiley.com ### Overview Musculoskeletal pain is ubiquitous – everyone gets it. There are three main causes: 1. everyday activities that put unusual or repetitive strains on the system; 2. acute traumatic events; 3. musculoskeletal diseases. Everyone is familiar with the aches and pains that generally follow unaccustomed activity and most of us will have had at least one episode of acute post-traumatic pain affecting our muscles, bones or joints. These problems are generally short lasting and not very bothersome. However, huge numbers of us, particularly older adults, also experience chronic, intrusive musculoskeletal pain. … [1]: /embed/graphic-1.gif