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
Thigh pain can make everyday activities such as walking, climbing stairs, sitting, or exercising surprisingly difficult. It may feel like a dull ache after physical activity, a sharp pain following an injury, or a burning or tingling sensation caused by nerve irritation. Although muscle strain is a common reason for thigh pain, discomfort in this … Read more
Acute pain is a common experience that can happen suddenly after an injury, illness, inflammation, surgery, or medical procedure. Unlike chronic pain, which can continue for months or longer, acute pain generally develops quickly and improves as the underlying problem heals. Although acute pain can be uncomfortable or even severe, it serves an important purpose. … Read more
Bone pain can feel deep, aching, tender, or sharp, and it may affect one bone or several areas of the body. Unlike ordinary muscle soreness or joint pain, pain that truly comes from the bone deserves attention, especially when it is persistent or unexplained. Bone pain can happen after an injury, but it may also … Read more
Muscle pain is one of the most common types of pain people experience. It can happen after an intense workout, a long day of physical work, poor posture, stress, or a minor injury. Sometimes, however, muscle pain can be related to an infection, medication, nutritional or electrolyte problems, or an underlying health condition. The medical … Read more
Ovulation pain is a type of lower abdominal or pelvic pain that some people experience around the middle of their menstrual cycle. It is commonly called mittelschmerz, a German term meaning “middle pain.” For some people, ovulation feels like a mild cramp or pressure. For others, it may feel like a sudden sharp pain on … Read more
Anal pain can be uncomfortable, distracting, and sometimes difficult to talk about. However, it is a common symptom and can happen for many different reasons. Something as simple as constipation or irritation can cause soreness, while conditions such as an anal fissure, hemorrhoids, infection, or an abscess may require medical treatment. The location and character … Read more
Ankle pain is a common problem that can affect people of all ages. It may appear after a simple misstep, sports injury, long walk, or sudden increase in exercise. Sometimes, however, ankle pain develops gradually because of tendon problems, arthritis, nerve irritation, or another underlying condition. The pain may be felt around the outside or … Read more
Elbow pain can make surprisingly simple activities—lifting a cup, opening a door, typing, exercising, or carrying a bag—uncomfortable. Sometimes it appears after an obvious injury, while other times it develops gradually from repetitive movements. The good news is that most elbow pain is not caused by a serious problem and often improves with appropriate activity … Read more
Scalp pain can be surprisingly uncomfortable. Sometimes the scalp feels tender when you brush your hair, wash it, or touch it. In other cases, the pain may feel like burning, tingling, throbbing, pressure, or a sharp sensation that spreads across part of the head. Scalp pain is not a condition by itself. It is a … Read more