Aches and pains at a glance

What causes those niggling aches and pains, plus how to prevent and treat them...

Ooh, my shoulder...            
How it feels An achy pain that you notice after particular activities.
You may also find that your movement is restricted.
What could cause it Any kind of overuse can stress the shoulder joint. Shoulder muscles can become strained and bursae (fluid-filled sacs that cushion the joints) or tendons (fibres that connect the muscles to the bones) can become inflamed. ‘Frozen shoulder' develops when you avoid moving your shoulder because of another pain or injury.
Treatment and prevention Over-the-counter painkillers such as aspirin or ibuprofen can help reduce inflammation and pain. Keep the shoulder joint flexible by practising gentle mobilising exercises - try slowly rolling each shoulder back in turn. See your doctor if the problem persists.

Ooh, my knee...            
How it feels Stiff and swollen joints make it difficult to bend or straighten the knee. You may have the feeling that your knee will ‘give out'. Symptoms are often worse in the morning or after a period of inactivity.
What could cause it Knee joints are often affected by arthritis - symptoms may be worse after hard exercise or a period of inactivity. Knee bursitis, or ‘housemaid's knee', can develop when the fluid-filled bursa sac around your joint becomes inflamed through an infection or is irritated by too much movement.
Treatment and prevention Stay active but avoid the repetitive movements that aggravate the problem. Fish oil supplements have been shown to help relieve the pain and swelling of arthritis and glucosamine supplements often help, too.

Ooh, my breast...            
How it feels  Discomfort, pain or tenderness anywhere in the breasts. It may be cyclical - appearing at the same time every month - or non-cyclical. Non-cyclical pain is most common in women aged 40-50 and may feel like a sharp burning or stabbing pain, often just in one breast.
What could cause it  Breast pain is extremely common, affecting seven in 10 women at some time. It can be caused by something as simple as a badly fitting bra, or the result of hormonal changes. Breast pain is not a common symptom of breast cancer but your doctor will be able to check you out and reassure you.
Treatment and prevention Over-the-counter painkillers may help reduce pain. Some women find taking evening primrose or starflower oil helpful. There's also some evidence that taking magnesium supplements during the second half of the menstrual cycle may help to relieve cyclical breast pain.

Ooh, my head...            
How it feels  Pain and tightness that extends over your head.
What could cause it  Tension headaches are the result of tight, contracted muscles in the neck, scalp and jaw. Stress, anxiety, missing meals, holding your head in one position for a long time - even grinding your teeth in your sleep - can all cause tension headaches.
Treatment and prevention Treat the immediate symptoms with over-the-counter painkillers such as ibuprofen. Take preventive measures such as reducing stress levels, eating regular meals and drinking enough water. Adjust the position of your workstation and car seat so you avoid straining your neck muscles.

Ooh, my hip...            
How it feels  A pain at the top of your leg that you may feel most on the inner side of your thigh. Worse when you're walking, it restricts your movement so that getting out of the car and even standing up straight can feel difficult.
What could cause it  Osteoarthritis of the hip is extremely common. It results from the deterioration of the cartilage covering the ends of bones, causing pain and loss of movement.
Treatment and prevention Avoid activities that make the pain feel worse and take an over-the-counter anti-inflammatory such as ibuprofen. Fish oil supplements may help relieve arthritis pain and swelling, and glucosamine and chondroitin have been shown to help. If the problem persists, see your doctor.

Ooh, my back...            
How it feels  Pain, stiffness and muscle spasms in your lower back that can spread to the buttocks or thighs. The discomfort may come and go depending on your levels of activity.
What could cause it  Back pain can result from lifting or carrying something that's too heavy, falling, strain due to standing or bending for long periods, or poor posture. Lower back pain is extremely common, affecting as many as four in five people at some time.
Treatment and prevention Don't take to your bed - it may relieve the pain but will delay healing. Use over-the-counter painkillers such as ibuprofen. Research shows that 90% of back problems improve within six weeks without treatment, although physiotherapy, chiropractic and osteopathy can all help relieve symptoms.

Ooh, my neck...            
How it feels  Pain or stiffness in your neck while moving your head to one side, often shooting down to the shoulder, arm or hand.
What could cause it  Neck pain becomes increasingly common as we get older. It's usually the result of poor neck posture or tension, often caused by staying in one position for too long. Sleeping in an uncomfortable position, bending over a desk, or poor posture while reading or watching television can also cause neck pain.
Treatment and prevention Take aspirin or ibuprofen, persuade your partner to give you a massage and consider seeing an osteopath, chiropractor or physiotherapist. Improve your posture when sitting - keep your lower back well supported, avoid hunching your shoulders and do exercises to lengthen your neck.

Ooh, my leg/buttock...            
How it feels  Pain, weakness or tingling that shoots down your leg from your hip or lower back and can travel all the way down to your foot. One or both legs may be affected by this.
What could cause it  Sciatica results from a compressed or injured sciatic nerve and may stem from a lower back problem - the nerve roots extend through the buttocks down the back of each leg to your feet. It's common in the later months of pregnancy when posture changes lead to increased pressure on the nerve.
Treatment and prevention Stay active and avoid prolonged standing or sitting in one position. ‘Respect the pain,' advises chartered physiotherapist Sammy Margo. ‘Stay active, but do so within your pain-free limit.' The pain usually disappears in about two weeks but physiotherapy, osteopathy or chiropractic treatments may help.

Ooh, my wrist...            
How it feels  Aching, burning, numbness or tingling in your palm, wrist, thumb or fingers - often worse at night. The pain may extend as far as your elbows.
What could cause it  Carpal tunnel syndrome occurs when the median nerve running down the forearm becomes compressed at the wrist. It commonly occurs during pregnancy, menopause and as a result of repetitive motion such as using a computer keyboard, sewing or writing.
Treatment and prevention Over-the-counter medications like Ibuprofen can relieve the pain and swelling. Wearing a wrist splint at night can also help reduce swelling. See your doctor if the pain doesn't go away during the daytime. To prevent carpal tunnel syndrome, avoid repetitive work with your hands.

Ooh, my feet...            
How it feels  Everyone gets aching feet after a long day, but burning, tingling, numbness or pain under the heel and around the arch that affects only one foot can have a different cause.
What could cause it  Tarsal tunnel syndrome, the foot version of carpal tunnel syndrome, is most common in people with flat feet - the flattened arch can cause muscles around the ankles to put pressure on the nerve. Plantar fasciitis or ‘policeman's foot' - an inflammation around the heel bone caused by abnormalities in the way you walk - is also common.
Treatment and prevention Arch supports and wider shoes may help tarsal tunnel syndrome - steroid injections can relieve symptoms in severe cases. Ensure that your shoes fit well, avoid standing for long periods and always warm up properly before exercising.

Click here to read more about pain and how to cope with it




The answers to specific problems may not apply to everyone and are not substitutes for professional medical advice. If you're worried, see your GP. For more information, visit www.netdoctor.co.uk

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