Experts reveal what painful muscle aches such as stiff neck and sore back really mean

Millions of Brits are affected by pain in their bodies every single day and while many people do not suffer prolonged experiences – there are some symptoms that should be discussed with a GP

Millions of people experience pain in different parts of their bodies

Every day pains in the body affect millions of people every day and can significantly disrupt their normal lives.

 

Health experts have shared advice about common causes of pain across the body. While many pain sensations in the body go away on their own, there are others that people should take serious note of.

 

There are some serious signs of pain that should not be ignored. Rosario Barreto-Ellis, a sports scientist, personal trainer and founder of Mature Movers said there are some indicators that muscle pain could be something more serious if accompanied by other symptoms.

 

“If muscle pain is accompanied by concerning signs like persistent dizziness or other systemic issues, seeking medical attention is imperative,” she told The Sun.

 

Pain in feet

Foot pain affects millions of people every day

“Unsupportive shoes can cause pain in the arch of the foot,” said physiotherapist Sammy Margo, another advisor to Mentholatum. Flat feet and fallen arches can be a cause of persistent pain in many people. It can also cause issues with walking and balance.

 

The NHS said plantar fasciitis is another cause of pain on the bottom of your foot. While it easily improves with time it is recommended you see a GP if it does not after two weeks. Margo added: “If you feel uncertain about the cause of your foot pain, visit a minor injuries clinic.”

 

Arm and leg pain

There are many different causes of leg pain

Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness (DOMS) is a relatively common pain that people feel in their muscles up to 24 to 48 hours after they do exercise. It typically happens when muscles have been overworked.

 

Long-term aching in the limbs could also be due to a chronic condition. One of these conditions is fibromyalgia. “The pain often feels like a badly pulled muscle,” Sammy said. “It can be unpredictable and vary from one day to the next, in both severity and location in the body.”

 

Lower back pain

Lower back pain can be extremely painful

A notable, and excoriatingly painful, cause of lower back pain is a slipped disc. The NHS said it can also cause numbness or tingling in your shoulders, back, arms, legs, hands or feet depending on where the slipped disc is in the spine. A way to avoid slipped disc is by keeping active, making sure you maintain correct posture and ensure you have a work set up where you do not hunch over. If the pain becomes severe you can take painkillers such as ibuprofen or see a GP if they do not help.

 

Another cause of pain that comes from an issue in the lower back is sciatica. You may have sciatica if you feel pain, tingling, numbness or weakness in your bottom, back of your leg or foot and toes. The pain could be worse when moving around and it typically gets better between four to six weeks. The NHS recommends regular exercise for sciatica exercise and carrying on with normal activities if possible.

 

See a GP if the pain gets worse, is stopping you from doing normal activities and has not improved over several weeks. It is recommended that you do not sit or lie down for long periods as moving around can help you recover. Lower back pain is also a symptom of prostate cancer in some people. Risk for prostate cancer can increase with age and it mainly affects men over 50.

 

Other symptoms of prostate cancer include needing to pee more frequently, needing to rush to the toilet, difficulty when starting to pee as well as blood in urine or semen.

 

Lower back pain on one side

Lower back pain can also happen on one side

One of the most common pains that people feel on one side of their back are strains or sprains. These are common injuries that affect muscles and ligaments.

 

You might have a strain or sprain if you have tenderness, pain or weakness around the affected area. Most cases of sprains and strains can be treated at home without needing to see a GP. Kidney stones, an extremely painful condition, can also cause pain in the side of your abdomen.

 

“Kidney stones (hard deposits caused by dehydration, too much sugar or salt obesity, and too little fibre) can occur on the left or right side,” GP Ogunkoya said. “The sharp pain usually comes in waves and you can also get blood in your urine.”

 

Upper back pain

Upper back pain can affect anyone

Osteoarthritis and ankylosing spondylitis can cause upper back pain where the spine becomes inflamed. The inflammation can cause injuries to bones, discs, muscles and ligaments. Upper back pain can also happen due to thoracic spinal joints as cartilage tears and degeneration occur. If you have any concerns about prolonged pain in your body, or pain that gets worse, consider booking an appointment with your GP.