Thumb pain can make surprisingly simple activities difficult. Opening a jar, typing, holding a phone, writing, buttoning clothes, or gripping a cup may become uncomfortable when your thumb hurts. Thumb pain can develop suddenly after an injury or gradually because of repetitive movements, tendon problems, arthritis, nerve compression, or other conditions. The location and character … Read more
Chronic pain is more than pain that simply lasts a long time. It can affect sleep, movement, work, relationships, mood, and everyday activities. For some people, chronic pain begins after an injury or illness. For others, it develops alongside conditions such as arthritis, nerve damage, migraine, or fibromyalgia. In some cases, doctors may not find … Read more
Foot pain is one of those problems that can be easy to ignore at first. A little soreness after a long day, a sharp pain when taking the first few steps in the morning, or aching after exercise may seem harmless. However, persistent or recurring foot pain can sometimes point to an injury, nerve problem, … Read more
Upper back pain can make everyday activities such as working at a desk, driving, sleeping, lifting objects, or even taking a deep breath uncomfortable. It may feel like a dull ache between the shoulder blades, tightness across the shoulders, a sharp pain with movement, or a burning sensation that travels toward the neck or chest. … Read more
Lower back pain is one of the most common types of pain adults experience. It can appear after lifting something heavy, sitting for hours, exercising, sleeping in an awkward position, or sometimes without an obvious reason. For many people, lower back pain improves within a few weeks with appropriate self-care and gradual movement. However, persistent … Read more
Leg pain is a common problem that can happen after exercise, standing for long periods, an injury, or even sitting in one position for too long. Sometimes, however, leg pain can be a sign of an underlying muscle, nerve, joint, vein, or blood-flow problem. The location and character of the pain can provide useful clues. … Read more
Hand pain can make surprisingly simple activities—typing, writing, opening a jar, holding a phone, or getting dressed—feel difficult. Because the hand contains many small bones, joints, tendons, ligaments, muscles, and nerves working together, pain can come from several different structures. Sometimes hand pain develops after an obvious injury, such as a fall, sprain, or fracture. … Read more
Finger pain can be surprisingly disruptive. A sore or stiff finger may make it difficult to type, write, cook, open a jar, exercise, or even hold a phone. Sometimes the cause is obvious, such as a minor injury or overuse. In other cases, finger pain may be related to arthritis, tendon problems, nerve irritation, infection, … Read more
Tailbone pain can be surprisingly uncomfortable. Even a simple activity such as sitting at a desk, driving, getting up from a chair, or leaning backward can become painful when the coccyx is irritated. The medical term for tailbone pain is coccydynia. It can develop after a fall or injury, but prolonged sitting, repetitive pressure, pregnancy … Read more
Shin splints are a common cause of lower-leg pain, especially among runners, athletes, dancers, military recruits, and people who have recently started exercising. The pain can be uncomfortable enough to interfere with running, walking, jumping, or other activities. The good news is that most cases improve with appropriate rest, gradual return to activity, and changes … Read more