Physiotherapist warns stretching eases but not cures work‑related pain

Physiotherapist Dr. Mariana Milazzotto explains that stretching can temporarily relieve neck, shoulder and lower‑back tension that appears at the end of a workday, but it does not treat the underlying causes of musculoskeletal overload. She attributes the discomfort to prolonged static postures, repetitive motions and insufficient movement variety during daily routines. While a brief stretch may reduce perceived tension, lasting relief requires breaks, posture variation, muscle strengthening, mobility work and ergonomic adjustments. The World Health Organization notes that musculoskeletal conditions affect about 1.71 billion people worldwide, with low‑back pain alone impacting 619 million in 2020 and projected to reach 843 million by 2050. Dr. Milazzotto urges people who experience daily pain to investigate persistent patterns and consider comprehensive changes rather than relying solely on stretching.