摘要：

Objectives: In many societies, women bear a considerable burden of responsibilities, which threaten their health. Considering the high prevalence of low back pain and prevalent use of acupuncture in the treatment of this condition, we aimed to examine the prevalence of musculoskeletal diseases in middle-aged women. Materials and Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 1000 women, aged 45-59 years, referring to healthcare centers of Mashhad, were examined and screened by physicians via history taking and physical examinations regarding the history and current status of osteoporosis, osteoarthritis, low back pain and other musculoskeletal disorders. Results: The overall incidence of musculoskeletal disorders was 27.2%. The prevalence was 13.5% in rural women and 27% in women residing in urban regions. In both urban and rural populations, arthritis was the most common disorder with an incidence of 32.5%. The prevalence rates of osteoporosis and low back pain were 28% and 23%, respectively. Conclusion: Considering the high prevalence of arthritis and back pain in women, especially in urban populations, adopting complementary medicine can reduce pain and disabilities. It is recommended that an educational package about complementary medicine treatments be applied in training sessions for middle-aged women at healthcare centers.

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