Pain by body area

Neck

• Neck pain on one side: what causes it and what to do

  What causes neck pain on one side, left or right, how to tell a muscle, joint or nerve problem apart, exercises that help, and the warning signs.

• Stiff neck after sleeping: why it happens and how to ease it

  Why you wake with a stiff or locked neck, what pillows and sleeping position really do, how to ease it in the first days, and when to worry.

Shoulder

• Shoulder pain at night: why it wakes you and how to sleep

  Why shoulder pain is worse at night, which sleeping positions take the load off, exercises that help, and the night pain signs that need a doctor.

• Shoulder pain when lifting your arm: causes and what helps

  Why your shoulder hurts when you lift your arm, what the arc of pain and the direction tell you, exercises that help, and when weakness needs checking.

Elbow and forearm

• Elbow pain when lifting: what it means and what helps

  Elbow pain when you lift: what the outside, inside and front of the elbow each point to, exercises that help, and when weakness needs checking.

Wrist and hand

• Pain at the base of the thumb: causes, exercises and what helps

  Pain at the base of your thumb: how thumb base arthritis, De Quervain's and a fall differ, exercises that help, and the signs that need checking.

Upper back

• Pain between the shoulder blades: causes, warning signs and exercises

  Pain between the shoulder blades: which patterns need emergency help, the common muscle and joint causes, exercises that help and when to see a physio.

Lower back

• Back pain when sitting: why it happens and what helps

  Why your back hurts when you sit at a desk, in the car or for long spells, what actually helps, exercises to try and the signs that need checking.

• Lower back pain in the morning: why it happens and what helps

  Why your lower back hurts and feels stiff when you wake, what the pattern says about inflammatory back pain, mattress advice and morning stretches.

• Lower back pain on one side: causes, left and right, and what to do

  What causes lower back pain on the left or right side, how to tell a muscle, joint or nerve problem from a kidney one, exercises and warning signs.

• Lower back pain when bending forward: causes, exercises and when to get help

  Why your lower back hurts when you bend forward to lift, wash or put shoes on, what helps while it settles, exercises and the warning signs.

• Sciatica pain when sitting: how to sit and how often to get up

  Why sciatica flares when you sit, how to set up a chair, car seat and sofa, how often to get up, and the danger signs that need emergency help.

Hip

• Groin pain: causes, what helps and when to get it checked

  Groin pain explained: what muscle, hip joint and hernia causes feel like, why walking and coughing hurt, exercises that help and when to see a doctor.

• Hip pain at night: why it happens and how to sleep

  Why hip pain is worse at night, the sleeping positions and pillows that take pressure off the hip, exercises that help and the night pain signs to act on.

• Hip pain when walking: what it points to and what helps

  Hip pain when walking: what groin, side and buttock pain point to, whether to keep walking, exercises that help and the signs that need checking.

• Outer hip pain: causes, triggers and what helps

  What causes pain on the outside of your hip, why walking, stairs and crossing your legs set it off, exercises that help and when to get it checked.

Knee and thigh

• Inner knee pain: likely causes, exercises and warning signs

  Pain on the inside of your knee can come from pes anserine bursitis, an MCL sprain, a meniscus tear or arthritis. Exercises, red flags and what helps.

• Knee pain after running: causes, what helps and when to stop

  Knee pain after or when running? What the spot that hurts suggests, what helps, exercises, how to return to running and the warning signs to act on.

• Knee pain on stairs: going up, going down and what helps

  Why your knee hurts climbing stairs or going down them, common causes such as kneecap pain and arthritis, exercises that help and when to see a physio.

• Knee pain when bending: causes, exercises and when to get help

  Why your knee hurts when you bend it: kneecap pain, a meniscus tear, arthritis or a Baker's cyst. What helps at home, exercises and when to get checked.

• Knee pain when squatting: causes, form changes and when to stop

  Why your knee hurts when you squat, during or after, and how depth, knee position and load change it. Exercises that help, and when to get checked.

• Outer knee pain: what it could be, what helps and when to worry

  Pain on the outside of your knee can come from IT band syndrome, a lateral meniscus tear, an LCL sprain or your back. Exercises and warning signs.

• Pain behind the knee: causes, exercises and when to get help

  Back of knee pain can come from a Baker's cyst, a hamstring or calf strain, arthritis or a meniscus tear. When it could be a clot, and exercises that help.

Ankle and foot

• Heel pain in the morning: what it means and what helps

  Why your heel hurts on the first steps out of bed, how to tell plantar fasciitis from Achilles, fat pad and nerve pain, and the signs that need a doctor.

Whole body and fitness

• Muscle soreness after exercise or injury: how to tell the difference

  Normal soreness after a workout eases as you move and fades in days. A pulled muscle has a moment you can name, one sore spot and weakness.