Pain Medicines

Types of Body Pain in Your 40s

Their Causes, Symptoms &amp;amp;amp;amp;amp; How to Ease the Pain

40+ Types of Body Pain: Their Causes, Symptoms & How to Ease the Pain

What’s surprising about the human body is that pain can result not just from over exerting our muscles and limbs but also from minor yet repeated stresses. Body pain can be caused by stress, overwork & injury, infection as well as the wear & tear of ageing.

Pain from Different Levels of Physical Activity. There’s a type of pain that you feel after being stressed, where your muscles ache & feel stiff. And when you overexert your body or bear more weight as you go about your daily work, you may end up overstretching your muscles, tendons & ligaments which would feel sore. This is also what happens when you get body pain after workout. When you push your body too much in an intense activity or during an accident, it results to major injury that involves tearing of muscles or tendons (strains) or ligaments (sprains) which would have more obvious swelling and more intense pain. So our common knowledge is that the more you push your body, the more likely that you’ll feel pain. Yet there are also minor stresses that build up and cause pain within your joints -- Bursitis, which may occur at your hip or knee; the pain can feels like burning, sharp or even radiating pain due to inflammation (swelling). Even more surprising is a type of pain that develops when you’re immobile for a prolonged period, when your blood moves too sluggishly that it clots in your leg, swells & may turn serious – the DVT or economy class syndrome. Browse through the list of 40+ Types of Body Pain below to learn more about these.

Pain due to Ageing. Minor stresses can indeed add up to pain, and it can happen to all of us as we age. Most common is when joint cartilage breaks down and leads to osteoarthritis which causes the bones to grind thus making a crunching or grinding sound. For some, components of your spine may degrade, especially the cushion in between the vertebrae. This can lead to pinched nerve that causes lower back pain (sakit ng likod) and can radiate down to your legs. In rare cases, there may also be a narrowing of the spinal canal or the exits, again causing pinched nerve.

Osteoarthritis is the more common type of pain experienced as we age. It is accompanied by inflammation in the joints which causes the pain, thus the joint feels tender & there may be obvious swelling. Lower back pain problems that are accompanied by pinched nerve are characterized by a tingling, numbing, sharp jabbing or shooting pain which often radiates to other parts of the body –legs, arms, buttocks or neck, depending on the site of the pinched nerve. When you feel this type of pain, consult your doctor to determine if it is indeed nerve pain.

Pain caused by Infection. Flu is the common type of infection which causes muscle & joint pain (myalgia). This happens when your immune system fights the viruses, leading to inflammation which causes the body pain. When you get vaccinated, your body develops antibodies to fight future infection so it goes through a similar process, only milder.

To Medicate or to Rest?
In all these occasions of body pain (sakit ng katawan) – whether back ache, muscle or joint pain, the trick is to let yourself rest so that your body can recover from the tension, strain or tear caused by the physical activity. The same principle applies to when you’re sick with the flu or is recovering after vaccination. Your body is busy fighting the virus so you need to rest to hasten recovery.

Resting time depends on the gravity of the injury. It can typically take a few days or up to 1-2 weeks with minor body pains; but you don’t have to bear the pain as you can take over the counter pain relievers: anti-inflammatory medicines like Ibuprofen to stop inflammation or swelling, and analgesics like Paracetamol for immediate pain relief. Ibuprofen Paracetamol (Alaxan FR) can be taken up to 10 days. Body pain or back pain medicines can either be a single molecule or a combination. Inflammation occurs in almost all of these types of body pain so an anti-inflammatory added to plain Paracetamol can help [Read more about Alaxan’s Direct Action against inflammation & How to Take Medicines with Care]

Immediately upon the experience of body pain, rest can be accompanied by some oral medicinal relief to bring comfort as you recover. Upon recovery from injury though, your therapist will incorporate gentle range of motion exercises; stretching which eases tight tissues, as well as strengthening exercises when possible. This helps make the body sturdier against body pain because tight and weak muscles are more prone to injury.

Hot or Cold Compress?
Temperature helps ease body pain in different ways. As practiced by professionals in sports injuries, cold compress with an ice pack or bath helps bring down the swelling that causes muscle pain. This is why Filipinos practice placing ice when they bump their heads. So what does warm compress do for muscle ache? Warm compress applies more heat deep into the muscle tissues & this helps stimulate blood flow. Immediately following injury, apply cold compress for 15-20 minutes every hour to reduce the swelling. After 48 hours from when you first felt the body pain, you may apply warmth. The general rule is to apply cold pack or warming compress for 15-20 minutes and then followed by 20 minutes without the pack.

Body Pain is an everyday occurrence and can indeed happen to every part of our body depending on our lifestyle. Yet you don’t have to suffer aching muscles & joints by seeking immediate relief through rest, oral medicines like a body or back pain reliever. However, remember to consult your doctor when you notice unusual symptoms or red flags.

Red Flags for Body Pain. When you feel these, you need to see a doctor as the pain may be caused by infection, severe nerve compression, cancer or other serious underlying conditions

Leg weakness that happens abruptly or becomes worse over time
Back pain accompanied by fever
Loss of bowel or bladder control
Numbness in the groin or anal area
Inability to find a comfortable position for sitting or sleeping when you feel back pain
Abnormal sensations of pain, numbness or cold in the leg or ankle
Pain that worsens over time, lasting longer than 6 weeks
After prolonged immobility, swollen thigh or leg accompanied by shortness of breath, chest pain, lightheadedness, dizziness, rapid heart rate, coughing up blood
Swelling of the leg accompanied by fever or difficulty breathing, shortness of breath or chest pain.

Read on for the 48 Types of Body Pain: Causes & Symptoms

CONDITION & CAUSE	SYMPTOMS
NECK PAIN
Neck Sprains & Strains – occurs due to overstretching or occurrence of microscopic tears on the ligament (sprain) or muscle tissues (strain). This can occur when you carry something heavy, due to stress, bad posture especially when sleeping, or due to injury like whiplash. Most mild sprains or strains heal within 1-2 weeks. [Cause: Overexertion, Injury]	Tightness & stiffness in the upper back or shoulder Muscle spasm or Muscle cramps Tension headache Limited neck movement due to pain when moving
Cervical Osteoarthritis – an age-related condition where due to cartilage breakdown, bones rub together which causes irritation, thus inflammation & pain. Bone overgrowth (bone spurs) may develop which presses on nerves, which cause more pain [Cause: Ageing, Injury]	Pain radiating to or between the shoulders Pain that’s worse in the morning and evening Pain that eases with rest Crunching or grinding sound as you turn your head
Spinal Stenosis – caused by narrowing of the canal which causes pinching of the nerves [Cause: Ageing]	Severe pain caused by activity & relieved by bending forward Radiating pain down one or both arms or legs Weakness of the arm or leg Urinary frequency Falls or other symptoms of instability
Degenerative Disc Disease – occurs when the shock-absorbing discs between the cervical vertebrae shrink over time. A slipped or herniated disc can cause pain due to inflammation or by pressing a nerve [Cause: Ageing]	Pain when rotating or bending the neck Pain relieved by raising the arm Pain, numbness or weakness in the arms
Pinched Nerve – triggered by narrowing of the exit spaces inside the spinal cord which then pinches a nerve. This may be caused by age-related degenerative conditions like herniated disc, spinal stenosis, or degenerative disc disease. [Cause: Ageing, Injury]	Shooting pain in the neck, arm, shoulders or upper back Pain that worsens with movement or coughing Numbness & tingling in the fingers Difficulty coordinating fine movements like hand writing.
Whiplash – injury caused by extreme acceleration & deceleration which throws the head forward. This can cause muscle strain as well as stretched or torn ligament; components of the spine & neck may also be damaged. [Cause: Injury]	Pain aggravated by movement Progressively worse pain in the days following the accident as swelling occurs Shoulder pain Muscle spasms in the neck or upper shoulders Decreased range of motion Headache Tingling or weakness in the arms
BACK PAIN
Sprains – when the ligament is overstretched or torn. Ligaments are what connect the bones to the joint. [Cause: Overexertion, Injury]	Tightness, stiffness Muscle spasm Pain when moving
Strains – when the muscle or tendon is torn. Tendons are what connect muscles to bones. [Cause: Overexertion, Injury]	Tightness, stiffness Muscle spasm Pain when moving
Nerve compression due to disc problems – A disc problem, also called herniated, “slipped” or “ruptured” disc is when the cushioning discs between the vertebrae bulge out and press on a nearby nerve root which leads to inflammation & back pain. This can happen during injury or due to ageing. [Cause: Ageing, Injury]	Slight to intense pain in the back Shooting pain in the leg Pain from the buttock up to the leg & foot (Sciatica) Numbness or weakness in the buttocks or legs
Nerve compression due to Spinal Stenosis – This happens when, due to ageing, the spinal canal becomes narrower. The narrowing compresses the nerve. [Cause: Ageing]	Lower back pain when standing up straight, bending backward or walking Pain that radiates to the buttocks or legs Pain that subsides when sitting or bending forward
Osteoarthritis – an age-related condition where due to cartilage breakdown, bones rub together which causes irritation and even growth of bony spurs which can press on nerves, thus cause inflammation & pain. [Cause: Ageing]	Stiffness Swelling Loss of movement
Ankylosing Spondylitis – a form of arthritis, inflammatory changes in the spinal tissues, ligaments & vertebrae causes the spine to become inflamed and stiff [Cause: Ageing]	Back pain & stiffness Pain in the morning that eases with activity Limited spinal movement which develops over time
Spondylolisthesis – when an anatomical defect causes misalignment of parts of the vertebrae. This may be inborn, developed over time or due to injury [Cause: Inborn, Ageing, Injury]	Lower back pain Muscle tightness especially at the back of the thigh Stiffness Pain in the thighs and buttocks Shooting pain down one or both legs (sciatica)
HIP PAIN
Bursitis – a bursa is a liquid-filled sac that cushions the junction between the tendons, muscles & bones. Bursitis is when the bursa develops inflammation due to injury or repeated minor stresses on the affected area. Bursitis on the side of the hips (trochanteric bursitis) can be due to a hard fall or minor stresses – small injuries, excess pressure on one hip while walking, lying on one side for a prolonged period. Bursitis at the buttocks area (ischial bursitis) occurs from prolonged sitting on a hard surface, from a hard fall, or repeated friction during bicycling. Bursitis near the hip flexor (iliopsoas bursitis) occurs due to rheumatoid or osteoarthritis or from doing activities that involve a lot of hip movement like dancing or some sports. [Cause: Overexertion, Injury]	For trochanteric bursitis – aching or burning outside of the upper thigh; pain that moves down the outside of the thigh down to the knee; increasing pain when you push or lie on the affected side; pain that interferes with sleep; pain triggered by walking, climbing the stairs, or getting up from sitting For ischial bursitis – dull or sharp pain on the lower butt; pain that increases when you sit down (especially on a hard surface) or lie on your back For iliopsoas bursitis – pain in the front of the hip that worsens when flexing the hip; radiating pain down the front of the thigh; limping or taking smaller steps; limited range of motion of the hip
Groin Pull – this happens when the adductor muscles (located on the inside of the hip and thigh) is stretched or torn. This may happen due to sports that require running, jumping and quick movements or direction changes; or due to lifting something heavy or slipping while walking. [Cause: Overexertion, Injury]	Popping feeling or noise during injury Sharp or throbbing pain in the groin & inside of the thigh Pain that intensifies when you raise your knee, pull your legs together or apart Muscle spasms in the groin Bruising in the thigh or groin area Weakness in the leg when you try to walk or climb stairs Limping when you walk
Hip Fracture – occurs due to a broken bone in the hip area [Cause: Injury]	Severe pain on the hip or groin Deformed appearance of the hip or leg Swelling, tenderness and bruising around the hip Inability to stand up or a hip is too weak to lift a leg
Osteoarthritis – when cartilage degenerates with age, the space between the femur ball & hip socket narrow which causes the bones to rub painfully, eventually leading to bone overgrowth which causes more pain [Ageing]	Pain in your thigh or groin that may radiate to the butt Stiffness in the hip Reduced range of motion in the hip Grinding or popping feeling when you move the joint
Tendinitis – caused by inflammation of the tendon between the main hip flexor muscle (iliopsoas muscle) and the upper thigh. This affects people who play sports or older people who don’t walk normally because of other conditions of the spine, knee, hips or leg. [Cause: Overexertion, Injury]	Pain in front of your hip, especially when you bend your hip or raise your leg Soreness in the groin area once touched A snapping or clicking sensation when you walk
UPPER LEG PAIN
Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) – prolonged sitting may cause the blood flow to be very slow which encourages coagulation, thus blood clot may form. This results to pain, inflammation or swelling in the leg. It can cause a serious condition if the blood clot blocks the blood flow to the lungs. It can also damage the little valves in the leg veins. Seniors, those with organ diseases, obese, pregnant, smokers, those under hormone medication & those born with blood clotting disorders are more prone to this. Injury which causes damage to the legs may also predispose someone to blood clotting. [Cause: Prolonged Immobility]	Pain in the upper leg or calf Red, swollen skin on the leg Warmth over the leg Serious symptoms that require emergency consultation are shortness of breath, chest pain, lightheadedness, dizziness, rapid heart rate, coughing up blood
Hamstring Strain or Tear – the hamstring muscles is located at the back of the thigh, spanning from the hip joint to the knee joint. It is weaker than your front thigh muscle which makes it more prone to injury. Injury may occur with sudden movements & stops which can overstretch (strain or pull) or tear the muscle. [Cause: Overexertion, Injury]	Sudden sharp pain in the back of the thigh A popping sensation Swelling in the first few hours after injury Bruises on the back of the upper leg Weakness & difficulty bearing weight on the injured leg
Illiotibial Band Syndrome – caused by repeated bending & extending of the knee e.g. running or biking. As an effect, the muscles on the side of the thighs (iliotal or IT band), especially the tendon & bursa (fluid-filled sac cushioning the joints) can become irritated and swollen [Cause: Overexertion, Injury]	Pain along the IT band, from the hip to below the knee Pain, swelling, warmth or redness in the outer part of the knee Pain on the outside of the hip & worsened by pressure on that affected side Pain during exercise or activity Pain that gets worse when you run downhill or downstairs, lengthen your stride, or sit for a prolonged period with your knees bent
Meralgia Paresthetica – caused by pressure on the nerve that spans from the spine, down to pelvis and the upper thigh. This can be triggered by tight garment (pants, belt), wearing something heavy around the hip area, obesity, pregnancy; nerve damage from an injury, diabetes, alcohol abuse; lead poisoning [Cause: Overexertion, Injury]	Numbness, tingling or burning pain on the outside of one thigh Pain or numbness that worsens when you stand or walk & improves when you sit down Aching in the groin that may spread to the butt
Sciatica – pain that occurs when the spinal disc presses on a nerve root on the lower spine. This causes inflammation and pain in the affected leg. [Cause: Ageing, Injury]	Lower back pain & a cramping, dull, sharp, throbbing or shooting pain or a feeling like an electric shock down the back of your leg Burning, tingling, pins & needles sensation in the leg Increased pain when you move, sit, cough or sneeze Leg weakness
Upper Leg Tendinitis – caused by inflammation or irritation of the tendons of the hamstring & quadriceps. This is triggered by overuse or when you quickly start, stop or turn. Athletes, those who don’t warm up before intense use of the legs, the obese are more prone to leg tendinitis [Cause: Overexertion, Injury]	Pain in the lower thigh above the knee (quadriceps tendinitis) Pain in the back of the knee (hamstring tendinitis); swelling or warmth in the affected area
KNEE PAIN
Baker’s Cyst – a fluid-filled sac or benign cyst behind the knee that’s caused by overproduction of synovial fluid (lubricates the joint) which may be triggered by arthritis or an injury [Cause: Injury, Ageing]	Soft lump behind the knee Pain in the knee Stiffness Difficulty fully bending the knee Swelling in one leg
Bursitis – inflammation of the bursae, which are the pillow-like pouches that cushion between bone & soft tissues. There are 11 bursae in the knee. These may be inflamed due to injury (like when running) or excessive pressure (e.g. repeated & prolonged kneeling) [Cause: Overexertion, Injury]	Swelling on top or below the kneecap Warmth and tenderness Pain when you move, rest or kneel Pain located inside the knee, below the knee joint Increase in pain when climbing up the stairs, or when you exercise Pain when your knees touch as you lie on your side
Knee Sprains – overstretching or tearing of any of the knees 4 ligaments: ACL & PCL in the middle, MCL & LCL on the sides of the knee. ACL tear occurs when you twist your knee as your feet stays in place; the others occur when you get hit behind or on the sides of your knee. [Cause: Injury]	For all Swelling Feeling like the knee is giving way ACL Popping sound when the injury happens Difficulty standing on the affected knee PCL Mild to moderate pain that may cause a slight limp or difficulty walking Instability in the knee MCL Pain & tenderness on the inside of the knee Wobbling Sensation of ‘opening up’ with each step (for severe injury)
Meniscal Tear – the menisci (singular, meniscus) are pads that act as shock absorbers between the shin and thigh bone. They can tear with force. For older adults, deteriorating cartilage leaves the meniscus vulnerable so their weakened meniscus can easily tear with a twist of the knee [Cause: Injury, Ageing]	Popping sensation Swelling & stiffness that increases a day or so after the injury Pain that gets worse when you twist or bend the knee A feeling that the knee is catching or locking when you walk Difficulty fully straightening your knee Weakness and reduced range of motion in the knee
Osteoarthritis – the most common type or arthritis which causes swelling, pain & stiffness in the joints. In its early stage, the space between the shin & thigh bone decrease as the cartilage wears away. Once the cartilage is gone, the bones rub against each other which may form bone overgrowth (bone spurs). [Cause: Ageing]	Stiffness & swelling in one or both knees Warmth & redness in the joint Pain that gets worse with use if you sit for a long period of time A cracking, popping or sticking sound when you move the knee Weakness in the knee
Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome – inflammation & pain caused by misalignment of the knee. This can happen when your muscles around the knee are weak, tight or imbalanced. It is also more common among women because of the angle of the thigh bone because of the wider hip. It’s common among athletes but may also happen with non-athletic activities, especially for those who are overweight. [Cause: Overexertion, Injury]	Dull aching pain in the front of the knee, especially during activities like running, climbing the stairs, jumping, kneeling, or squatting Pain when you get up after sitting for several hours with knees bent, such as a long airplane trip Popping or cracking sound when you move your knee
Knee Strain – overstretching or tearing of the muscles or tendons that supports the knee, which may occur in an accident with falling or twisting motion. This can be caused by poor form, overuse, tight or weak muscles, or wearing the wrong footwear [Cause: Overexertion, Injury]	Popping noise when the injury occurs Pain, swelling, bruising Weakness, stiffness
Knee Tendinitis – inflammation and possible tiny tears of the tendon that happens with repeated stress or pressure from the weight of your body while running or jumping. Tight muscles or an imbalance between the stronger & weaker muscles can make you more prone to this. [Cause: Overexertion, Injury]	Pain & tenderness in the front of the knee, just below the kneecap Pain when you walk, or jump, which may improve when you rest Swelling Cracking sound when you move your knee
LOWER LEG PAIN
Achilles Tendinitis & Tendon Tear – inflammation & pain in the tendon that runs between the calf muscles & ankle, where the tendon breaks down due to repeated stress. It happens when you overwork this tendon by running, jumping or walking excessively; or due to wear & tear as well as ageing which weakens it and makes it more prone to strain or tears. Flat feet & tight muscles are also risk factors. [Cause: Overexertion, Injury]	Achilles Tendinitis Pain in the back of the lower leg, just above the heel, that gets worse after long periods of running, walking or stair climbing Swelling Stiffness that may improve with activity Reduced range of motion, especially difficulty flexing your foot or standing up on your toes. Achilles Tendon Tear A popping sound Swelling Sudden pain in the heel
Cellulitis – a bacterial infection of the skin that affects the lower legs. Certain people are more prone to this: the immunocompromised due to a disease, those with chronic illness like diabetes, a skin condition like shingles or eczema, the obese. Immediately consult a doctor when you get this because MRSA (an antibiotic-resistant bacteria) can spread to the blood stream & may cause sepsis, which is life-threatening. [Cause: Infection]	Swelling & redness of the skin on one leg Pain & tenderness Warmth Fever Blisters Dimpling of the skin
Peripheral Edema – leg swelling caused by fluid build-up. This can be caused by poor circulation due to heart diseases or heart failure that causes blood to pool in the legs; caused by blood clot in the vein, weakened or damaged leg veins; kidney & liver diseases that cause sodium or protein to also build-up; pregnancy; certain blood pressure or hormone medications. Raising your legs and eating low-sodium diet can help but also immediately consult a doctor for precaution. [Cause: Organ Diseases, Pregnancy, Some Medications]	Swelling or puffiness in the legs Skin that looks stretched or shiny in the swollen area Pitting of the skin when you press it for five seconds or more Difficulty walking due to heaviness or enlargement of the legs
Muscle Cramps – involuntary contractions of the leg muscles especially the calves. This can happen when your leg muscles are tired, dehydrated or deficient in either magnesium or potassium, which prevents them from fully relaxing. Risk factors include: pregnancy due to poor circulation or increased pressure on the muscles, older adults that have muscles which tire easily; intake of statins. [Cause: Overexertion, Ageing, Pregnancy, Some Medications]	Sudden pain & tightness in a muscle, typically the calf A temporary hard lump or twitching under the skin as the muscle contracts
Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD) and Claudication – PAD is the narrowing of the arteries in the legs because of plaque buildup (fat, cholesterol, other substances) which makes the arteries stiff and less able to dilate to deliver oxygen & blood nutrients during physical activity. This causes claudication or pain when you walk, exercise or exert your legs. Risk factors are: obesity, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, smoking [Cause: Disease]	Pain in one or both legs that happens when you walk or climb stairs and disappears when you rest (called intermittent claudication) An aching or heaviness in the affected leg Weakness of numbness in the leg Cold areas on your lower leg or foot Sores on your lower legs or feet that don’t heal Reddish-blue color to your leg Hair loss on your leg Shiny skin A weak pulse on your legs and feet
Peripheral Neuropathy – due to damage to nerves in your legs, you may experience weakness, pain, numbness or loss of sensation in the affected area such as your legs & feet. Risk factors: diabetes, auto-immune diseases like rheumatoid arthritis, kidney & liver diseases, blood vessel problems, viral infections like chickenpox; injury that damages the nerve; excessive alcohol, exposure to chemical toxins, B vitamin deficiencies [Cause: Disease, Injury]	Numbness, tingling or a pins-and-needles sensation in your feet and legs Burning, sharp, stabbing, electric or throbbing pain Muscle weakness Extreme sensitivity to touch Muscle cramps or twitches Difficulty with balance or coordination
Pseudoclaudication (Lumbar Spine Stenosis) – pain, numbness & weakness felt on the lower legs that’s due to pressure on the nerves in a narrowed spinal canal (Spinal Stenosis), which is in turn often caused by osteoarthritis or bulging disc. Bulging disc can be due to ageing or injury. [Cause: Ageing, Injury]	Pain in your legs that gets worse when you stand or walk, and improves when you sit down or bend forward Numbness, tingling & weakness in the legs Lower back pain Loss of control over bowels or bladder (rare) Difficulty with sexual function
Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS) – a creepy, crawly sensation in the legs that prevents you from sleeping. The cause is not yet certain but may be due to imbalance in dopamine which controls muscle movement. [Cause: Uncertain]	A crawling, throbbing, creeping, aching, tingling or abnormal sensation in your legs, often occurring at night, that is relieved by movements like walking or stretching An urgent need to move your legs
Shin Splints – pain and inflammation of the tibia as well as its associated muscles and tendons. This is caused by overworking the tibia when you increase your activity level [Cause: Overexertion]	Throbbing, dull or sharp pain in the front of your lower legs Pain that gets worse when you exercise
Skin & Leg Ulcers – sores or skin opening on the legs that are caused by injury, prolonged bed rest, or an underlying medical condition that involves poor blood circulation like venous insufficiency, DVT, diabetes. Other conditions that puts you at risk are: kidney failure, rheumatoid arthritis, cellulitis. [Cause: Disease, Prolonged Immobility]	One or more open sores on the leg Red, brown or purple skin (a sign that blood has pooled beneath the skin) Dry, scaly skin around the ulcer Swelling of the leg
Varicose Veins – swollen veins close the surface of the skin. While most are concerned with its appearance, it can also turn painful for some, when you sit or stand for a long time. Women are more prone to due to hormonal changes from pregnancy & menopause. Ageing also makes the veins weaker. [Cause: Ageing]	Thick, ropey blue or purple veins just under the surface of the skin Aching, throbbing or heaviness in your legs Itching in your lower legs and ankles
HAND
Osteoarthritis – the cartilage in the joints breaks down & as it wears away, the bones would rub on each other thus forming bone overgrowths (bone spurs). Finger cysts may form in the bones & tissues, and the joints may be inflamed which damages the cartilages further. [Cause: Ageing]	Pain in the morning, which gradually recedes but returns at the end of the day Pain that is alleviated by resting the affected joint Stiffness in the affected joint
Rheumatoid Arthritis – a chronic inflammatory condition that typically affects the small joints including wrist, hands & feet, though may attack other joints [Cause: Disease]	Swelling, warmth, and stiffness in the affected joints, especially in the morning or after rest Usually affects joints symmetrically, on both sides of the body In some cases, also fatigue, loss of appetite and energy, fever or anemia Misshapen fingers (for advanced stage)
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome – narrowing of the carpal tunnel, which is a U-shaped cluster of bones. This causes the median nerve that controls nearly all fingers (except the pinky finger) to decrease in blood supply thus causing the syndrome [Cause: Heredity, Injury]	Pain, weakness, tingling and numbness in the thumb, index and middle fingers, and half of the ring finger, especially at night Difficulty making a fist, grasping small objects, or doing other manual tasks Pain may radiate to the arm (when it gets worse)
Repetitive Strain Injury – caused by repeated motion like typing, or hand movements by workers in manufacturing & food industries. This can be aggravated by incorrect position of the hands & wrist such as when using a keyboard or mouse. This is sometimes misclassified as carpal tunnel syndrome but the latter isn’t caused by repeated motion. [Cause: Overexertion]	Pain, tenderness & tingling in the arms & fingers, where there is no clear source of injury to the muscles & joints
GENERAL BODY PAIN
Muscle & Joint Pain due to Infection (Myalgia) – when you get sick with flu, your body’s immune system works to fight off the illness. This causes inflammation and weakness (myositis) or muscle & joint pain (myalgia) [Cause: Infection]	Pain felt generally throughout the whole body including muscles & joints

ASC Reference Code: U0007P072723A, U0009P072723A

Sources
Think that Hip Pain Is Bursitis? Think Again, Harvard Medical School (2020)
Back Pain: Finding Solutions for your Aching Back, Harvard Medical School (2021)
Healing Leg Pain: A troubleshooting guide to common disorders that affect the legs, Harvard Medical School (2019)
Neck Pain: A troubleshooting guide to help you relieve your pain, restore function, and prevent reinjury, Harvard Medical School (2020)
Healthy Hands: Strategies for strong, pain-free hands, Harvard Medical School (2021)

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Pain Medicines

Types of Body Pain in Your 40s

Their Causes, Symptoms &amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp; How to Ease the Pain

Their Causes, Symptoms &amp;amp;amp;amp; How to Ease the Pain