Musculoskeletal symptoms in a local community

Musculoskeletal complaints are common. In a population survey in a local community 40 kilometres northeast of Oslo, only 15% did not report musculoskeletal symptoms during the last year. Just as many, 15%, reported musculoskeletal symptoms every day. 53% reported that they had experienced low back pain during the last year. Corresponding figures for headache were 49%, neck symptoms 48% and shoulder symptoms 46%. Headaches were most common among younger women, neck and shoulder symptoms among middle-aged women, while hip and knee symptoms were more frequent in elderly women. Women in all age groups reported symptoms from more parts of the body than men.