Do your knees creak, joints crack and muscles pop? Keeping your musculoskeletal system healthy keeps your body moving and quiet.
Your musculoskeletal system gives you shape, protects your organs, helps with movement, creates blood cells and stores minerals.
It’s made of:
bones
cartilage
ligaments
muscles
tendons
joints
Your musculoskeletal system supports your whole body and has many moving parts. Because there’s so much going on, aches and pains are common. They can be caused by not moving enough, moving the wrong way, health conditions or injuries. Every now and then, you may have:
- bruising
- popping or grinding
- pain
- stiffness
- swelling
- warmth
- reduced range of motion
Sometimes your symptoms can be a sign of something more serious, like:
problems with your bones or tissues, such as arthritis, tendinitis or osteoporosis
immune system conditions, like rheumatoid arthritis or lupus
injuries from accidents, including falls, car crashes, sports injuries, broken bones or pulled muscles
Minor pain often improves with rest, over-the-counter medicine or a cold pack. But if it doesn’t go away or gets worse, contact your provider. They may order tests, like:
bone density scan
CT scans
X-rays
MRIs
Ultrasounds
If you need tests, don’t forget about Member Rewards. Earn rewards and save on health care costs when you shop, compare and choose a lower-cost, quality provider or service.
Treatment varies based on your test results, injuries or symptoms. It can include:
medication — over-the-counter medicines, a corticosteroid or medication specific to your diagnosis to help with pain, swelling or other issues
immobilization — a brace, splint, sling or cast to keep the injured area still
physical therapy — exercises and treatments to strengthen targeted muscles and increase flexibility
surgery or joint replacement — partial or total joint replacement surgery for more serious cases
Staying Healthy
To help avoid musculoskeletal pain, you can:
watch your weight and eat healthy foods
exercise and stretch safely
strengthen your muscles for better joint support
don’t overwork your muscles
make rest part of your exercise routine
perfect your posture
take a Well onTarget® self-paced course to learn healthy habits
Resources
Provider Finder®
Use Provider Finder® to find a doctor to help you stay up to date on vaccines and preventive care. You can search by location, gender or specialty.
You can also connect with a plan specialist about coverage and benefits or to get help finding a provider. They can even make an appointment for you! Call 1-866-355-5999 or chat in the , 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Well onTarget®
Take self-guided courses or get one-on-one support from a credentialed health expert. These wellness coaches can help you with stress management, postpartum care, fitness, and dietary habits that could affect your mental health.
Know Where to Get Care
If you do get sick or have an accident, know where to go for care.
Fitness Program
Join The Fitness Program to get affordable, no-contract memberships at gyms nationwide. Choose what works best for you based on location, budget or personal preference. There's even a virtual-only option!
Member Rewards
Get rewarded for getting cancer screenings like a mammogram or visit with your PCP, OBGYN or specialist with Member Rewards. You can earn up to $599 per year.
Let's Move
Let's Move by UnitedHealthcare is here to help keep your mind, body and social life active. With simple resources, tools, events and personalized support, Let’s Move helps you explore ways to eat well, stay connected and be financially, physically and mentally fit, all at no additional cost to you.
To explore, visit Letsmovebyuhc.com through your member website.
You can also participate in live, virtual events to learn how to cook healthy meals, be physically active and explore other wellness topics by visiting the events page.
Rewards
With the TRS-Care Medicare Advantage plan, you can earn rewards for things you probably already do, like completing your annual physical and wellness visit. Once you have attested to your first Reward item, you will receive a credit on your UnitedHealthcare UCard that you can use to shop for eligible items in-store or online at participating retailers nationwide. For more information about rewards available to you, sign in or register on your member website at retiree.uhc.com/TRS-CareMA.
Get the Care You Need
For more information about plan coverage or to find a primary care physician call UnitedHealthcare toll-free 1-866-347-9507, TTY 711, 7 a.m.-6 p.m. CT, Monday-Friday or sign in or register on your member website at retiree.uhc.com/TRS-CareMA.
Find a Provider
For more information about plan coverage or to find a primary care physician call UnitedHealthcare toll-free 1-866-347-9507, TTY 711, 7 a.m.-6 p.m. CT, Monday-Friday or register on your member website.