Megan Hill, PT, DPT

What is MSK?

The MSK medical abbreviation refers to the medical term: musculoskeletal. Let's start with a simple definition of "musculoskeletal", focusing on the medical meaning of MSK. Our musculoskeletal (MSK) system is made up of bones, muscles, and joints that are connected through tendons, ligaments, and soft tissues. The musculoskeletal system is what helps you move, sit, and stand. Musculoskeletal conditions or MSK disorders are injuries that affect your muscles, bones, and joints. MSK disorders are sometimes referred to as “MSDs” and can affect any part of the musculoskeletal system. Note the term "musculoskeletal diseases" is sometimes used but isn't accurate.

October 24, 2025 • 5 min read

Megan Hill, PT, DPT

Occupational therapy vs. physical therapy

When recovering from an injury, managing pain, or adjusting to a new physical limitation, finding the right type of care is essential. Two approaches that often come up in this process are occupational therapy (OT) and physical therapy (PT). While you often hear the terms OT and PT and they may seem similar, both serve distinct purposes and can support different aspects of your health and recovery. Understanding the difference between occupational therapy and physical therapy can help you make a more informed, confident decision about your care. We’ll break down how each therapy works, what goals they focus on, when each might be needed, and how to decide which one is right for you.

October 24, 2025 • 10 min read

Megan Hill, PT, DPT

Nighttime Joint Pain: 7 Science-Backed Fixes to Sleep Better

You’ve powered through the day. Work, errands, life, only to collapse into bed and… ouch. Your joints have other plans. As nighttime comes, your hips stiffen, knees ache, and that nagging lower back pain flares like clockwork. You’re exhausted, but sleep feels miles away. Sound familiar? You’re not alone. For 50% of adults with musculoskeletal (MSK) pain face this frustrating cycle of “painsomnia,” where joint pain at night and poor sleep feed each other. But here’s the good news: it doesn’t have to be this way. Let’s break down why joint pain and throbbing can be worse at night . You will get actionable, expert-backed fixes to help you reclaim rest. Patients with MSK pain often note that their discomfort is worse at night. People often report throbbing pain in their joints at night, arthritis hurts more at night, bones ache more at night, and even that joints ache when waking up just after sleep. But why?

October 24, 2025 • 11 min read

Megan Hill, PT, DPT

Acute vs Chronic MSK Conditions

Musculoskeletal (MSK) conditions are one of the most common causes of disability, lost productivity, and pain. In fact, the majority of adults will develop an MSK issue at some point in their lives. Whether acute or chronic, it’s important to treat MSK pain promptly and properly before the condition worsens and leads to even more serious problems (and bigger medical expenses) later on. Some physical therapy solutions are designed to address only chronic MSK conditions. At Sword Health, we believe acute MSK pain needs to be taken as seriously as chronic disorders. Supporting members at every stage of their healing journey helps them stay healthy and helps companies to control healthcare spend. In this article, we’ll learn about the difference between acute and chronic MSK disorders, and explain how physical therapy can help achieve better outcomes.

October 23, 2025 • 7 min read

Megan Hill, PT, DPT

What is TENS? Does TENS therapy work to cure pain?

For more than 50 years, transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) therapy has been used as a non-pharmacological way to manage pain. Traditionally, a TENS device was offered as a method of reducing pain while it was in use. But as musculoskeletal (MSK) care has advanced, so has our understanding of what TENS can and cannot deliver. TENS stands for transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (often written as T.E.N.S.) and involves non-invasive, wireless patches placed on the skin. These patches deliver mild electrical pulses to stimulate sensory nerve roots. By doing so, the therapy aims to reduce or “distract” pain signals as they travel to the brain. People often refer to the TENS device and accompanying treatment patches as a TENS unit or a TENS machine. A TENS unit is a small, battery-powered device designed to deliver low-voltage electrical impulses through adhesive electrode pads placed on the skin. Often called a TENS machine, this device is used to provide temporary pain relief by stimulating the nerves near the area of discomfort and interfering with the way pain signals are sent to the brain. While TENS units can help mask pain during use and are widely available over-the-counter and in clinical settings, they do not treat or resolve the underlying issue that triggers the pain.

October 22, 2025 • 8 min read

Megan Hill, PT, DPT

Sword's guide to managing MSK pain

Musculoskeletal (MSK) pain can make everyday tasks feel like uphill battles. Whether it's bending down to pick up a child, sitting through a workday, or simply getting a good night’s rest, MSK pain touches nearly every aspect of life. If you're here, you might be one of the millions looking not just for information, but for real solutions that work. You’re not alone and you don’t have to settle for treatments that leave you frustrated or stuck. Thankfully, modern care models are evolving. Sword Health is pioneering a virtual-first, clinically guided approach that empowers people living with MSK pain to recover from the comfort of home. This is your guide to understanding MSK pain, exploring your treatment options, and learning why digital physical therapy might be exactly what your body and your life need right now.

May 15, 2025 • 7 min read

Megan Hill, PT, DPT