Sprains and Strains

People who play sports or are physically active are familiar with stretched or torn ligaments, muscles, and tendons. Both cause inflammation and bruising. Strains may even trigger muscle spasms.

Using RICE for early treatment — rest, ice, compression, and elevation. See a doctor if it’s numb or tingles, you can’t move a joint, or it doesn’t get better within a week.

Tension Headache

This common type of headache feels like a band of pressure squeezing your head. Rest, and drinking plenty of water will often do the trick. Your headaches will typically go away within a few hours, less commonly may last a couple of days. Plenty of rest, proper posture, less stress, and lots of fluids (without caffeine) may help keep them at bay.

Migraines

Throbbing pain in the front or side of your head can put a hold on your daily activities. You might feel sick to your stomach, experience light sensitivity, or have other symptoms. Find somewhere dark and quiet to rest.

An ice pack may numb pain; a heating pad can relax tense muscles. An OTC pain reliever with a bit of caffeine may help if you catch a migraine early. Some people need a prescription to treat or prevent them.

Tooth ache

Tooth decay, cracked teeth, broken fillings, and gum disease are likely causes. You might not be a fan of the dentist, but if your toothache lasts more than a couple of days, you should go.

If you don’t take care of it, an inflamed area could become infected, leading to bigger problems. Tooth pain can also signal a sinus infection, a problem with the joint where your jaw meets your skull (TMJ), or grinding your teeth at night.

Neck Pain

Your neck is less protected than the rest of your spine, so it’s vulnerable to sprains and strains. The pain is usually temporary, and often, you won’t need medical attention. Regular wear and tear, such as the disks breaking down, can also hurt.

Good posture helps prevent pain. You might feel more serious neck injuries in other parts of your body, such as the upper back, arms, and legs, too.

Back Pain

Back pain becomes more common as you age. The pain can be dull or sharp and can last months at a time. Being overweight or simply lifting something the wrong way can cause it.

Diseases including arthritis and cancer can affect your back and spine, and your genes can play a role, too. Treatments for most types of back pain include some medications ( should prescribed by your Doctor or pharmacist) and muscle relaxants, hot and cold packs, and exercise.

Frozen Shoulder

The pain is usually worse at night, especially when you lie on the effected side. Simple, everyday tasks can be hard to do. Your shoulder becomes so stiff and immobile and painful to move.

Exercises and physical therapy can improve your range of motion, left untreated, it could take 2-3 years to “thaw.” It mostly happens to people between 40 and 60. Women and people with diabetes are more likely to have this problem.

Tendinitis and Bursitis

Swelling around a muscle or bone, usually brought on by the overuse or injury of a joint, like your ankle, elbow, knee, hip, shoulder, or wrist. Treat these with RICE, too. Call your doctor if the pain and swelling are bad, get worse, or if there’s any redness.

Arthritis

The leading cause of disability in America is a group of more than 100 diseases that cause joint pain. Symptoms, which may come and go, often include swelling, pain, stiffness, and limited motion.

They could be the result of wear and tear or of inflammation triggered by your immune system. Arthritis usually can’t be cured, but you can often ease pain and manage the condition with your doctor and physiotherapy help.

Stomachache

Stomach ache can occur for a number of reasons, including indigestion, gas, and constipation, but generally it won’t last for more than a few hours and generally isn’t serious. OTC medicines may help a tummy ache or upset stomach feel better until it passes.

Call your doctor if the pain is sudden and severe, lasts for days, or if you’re vomiting blood, have bloody stool, or notice any other unusual symptoms.

Sciatica

This shooting pain can make either sitting or standing very uncomfortable. You might feel weak, numb, and a burning or tingling sensation in your legs, but it’s not a cramp.

It could be a pinched nerve or slipped disk in your lower back. Sneezing and coughing can sharpen the pain. Sciatica usually goes away in a few weeks with rest and gentle exercise, but you should see your doctor.

Nerve Pain

Tingling, burning, numbness, and weakness can all signal a problem with your nerves. People with uncontrolled diabetes tend to suffer from nerve damage in their feet, hands, arms, and legs.

Shingles, a painful rash caused by the chickenpox virus travels down nerves, and can lead to ongoing pain. When your organs are affected, you could have trouble with digestion or urinating. Medications, physical therapy, and eating well can help.

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

There’s little evidence that keyboard overuse is a cause for one of the leading nerve disorders. Pecking at the computer could make the tingling and numbness in your fingers worse though, if you already have a pinched nerve.

Rest first; avoid bending or twisting your wrist for a couple of weeks. Then try yoga or physical therapy. Sometimes medicines that reduce swelling can ease symptoms.

Sore, Swollen Feet

Rest and put your feet up! Ice them for 15-20 minutes at a time. If you must stand on a hard surface all day, try compression stockings, wear shoes with good support, and get off your feet when you can.

Women and people who have flat feet or high arches are more prone to plantar fasciitis, which makes the bottom of your heel hurt. There are very effective excersises for it that can help you manage the pain