![Woman sitting at desk holding her shoulder](/-/media/aota-images/practice/woman-holding-shoulder-musculoskeletal-pain.jpg?cx=0.75&cy=0.42&cw=850&ch=484&hash=CDA1BC1A43832FD3DEC842598D0C4ABC)
Musculoskeletal conditions
Occupational therapy practitioners can help clients, groups, and communities manage conditions of the musculoskeletal system, which includes the muscles, bones, tendons, ligaments, joints, and other connective tissues in the body. Interventions to address musculoskeletal conditions may be used in preparation for, or concurrently with occupations and activities that ultimately enhance a client’s engagement in occupations.
Musculoskeletal resources
Clinical application materials and other resources to assist with supporting musculoskeletal conditions across the lifespan.
![Electrodes on a shoulder](/-/media/aota-images/practice/electrodes-musculoskeletal.jpg?cx=0.74&cy=0.49&cw=650&ch=410&hash=FE1F630A91B30E05A5533295D8772A1B)
Physical Agent Modalities: A Position Paper
![Person with a cold pack on their wrist](/-/media/aota-images/practice/cold-pack-wrist-musculoskeletal.jpg?cx=0.61&cy=0.59&cw=650&ch=410&hash=680EF6F0F54DEC89B113080946505097)
![Woman in kitchen cutting fresh vegetables with knife](/-/media/aota-images/practice/woman-in-the-kitchen-cutting-vegetables-meal-prep.jpg?cx=0.45&cy=0.24&cw=650&ch=410&hash=A5C31C7579C3A4DEED7F0FB9DC381B67)
Don’t use physical agent modalities (PAMs) without providing purposeful and occupation-based intervention activities.
![Mother helping young son pack backpack with water bottle](/-/media/aota-images/practice/female-mother-helping-young-son-pack-backpack-with-water-children-and-youth.jpg?cx=0.48&cy=0.4&cw=650&ch=410&hash=6D2DEACD5C760DE48177CEDEC849BA23)
Clinical Practice Guidelines
Based on findings of systematic reviews, AOTA’s topic-specific Practice Guidelines present clinical recommendations and tools for translating knowledge to guide your practice and serve as a reference for people who manage, reimburse, or set policy regarding occupational therapy services.
AOTA Continuing Education
Hand & Upper Extremity Essentials 2.0: Interventions for Specific Diagnostic Populations
Hand & Upper Extremity Essentials 2.1: The Fundamentals
Arthritis RA: Updates and Innovations
Arthritis OA: Updates and Innovations
Slip, Fall, Broken Wrist! A Fracture Everyone Treats
Acute Trauma of the Upper Extremity
Research, articles, and books
Expand your musculoskeletal knowledge with the latest research, perspectives, and solutions for occupational therapy practitioners.
![Hand and arm splint on hand](/-/media/aota-images/practice/upper-extremity-splint-musculoskeletal.jpg?cx=0&cy=0&cw=650&ch=410&hash=65948EFADDD5502808217D179B6741D5)
Effectiveness of Occupational Therapy Interventions for Adults With Musculoskeletal Conditions of the Forearm, Wrist, and Hand: A Systematic Review
![Woman sitting on couch and holding her wrist](/-/media/aota-images/practice/woman-with-wrist-pain-musculoskeletal.jpg?cx=0.66&cy=0.35&cw=650&ch=410&hash=F4F74F58B12A24853B669240E4842202)
Occupational Therapy Interventions for Adults With Musculoskeletal Conditions
![Senior woman in kitchen reaching upper cabinet with occupational therapist holding support belt](/-/media/aota-images/practice/female-senior-reaching-to-shelf-in-kitchen-with-ot-fall-prevention-belt-skilled-nursing-facility.jpg?cx=0.37&cy=0.59&cw=650&ch=410&hash=D0A6B689E618FEB2BBA34B555547D875)
Effectiveness of Occupational Therapy Interventions for Musculoskeletal Shoulder Conditions: A Systematic Review
![Two men wearing face masks and jumpsuits working inside a factory with others working in the background](/-/media/aota-images/practice/diverse-factory-workers-supervisor-evaluation-work-and-industry.jpg?cx=0.47&cy=0.45&cw=650&ch=410&hash=806E5DBD9BC627C5375B1BAA5FB640E8)
Role of Occupational Therapy in Preventing Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders With Recycling Workers: A Pilot Study
![Person sitting in a hospital bed with arm in a cast](/-/media/aota-images/practice/arm-in-cast-hospital-setting-musculoskeletal.jpg?cx=0.47&cy=0.37&cw=650&ch=410&hash=0CA7DED94A0120352D18EBD37BE928F3)
![Closeup of hand with knuckles highlighted as in pain](/-/media/aota-images/practice/closeup-hand-knuckles-musculoskeletal.jpg?cx=0.62&cy=0.87&cw=575&ch=575&hash=CE38D931DD11500B20909F5CEE997F67)
Post-acute care payment advocacy
Resources to help support and advance fair and effective payment structures for OT services delivered during the post-acute care phase.