General Aches and Pains
Updated: 17 hours ago
Occasional muscle aches and stiffness are common, particularly after unfamiliar activity. Many settle, but pain that keeps returning, affects sleep or limits everyday activities deserves assessment. The location of pain, how it began and any other symptoms help determine the most appropriate next step.
Common Aches and Pains
A stiff or painful neck may appear after sleep or a change in activity. There are several possible causes, so a persistent “cricked neck” should not automatically be labelled as one particular muscle problem. Avoid driving or cycling if restricted neck movement makes it unsafe. Our neck pain guide explains assessment and when medical advice is needed.
Muscle soreness or strain can follow sport, lifting or an unfamiliar task. Tightness alone does not establish why something hurts, and pain is not always caused by a muscle trapping a nerve. Assessment should consider how the symptoms affect movement and daily life, as well as signs that need medical attention. Advice, suitable exercise and, where appropriate, hands-on treatment can be discussed according to the findings.
Persistent aches and joint stiffness
Osteoarthritis can cause joint pain, stiffness and difficulty moving. Symptoms vary, and the condition does not inevitably worsen. A change in hip movement does not establish that arthritis will develop in the back or neck. Persistent joint symptoms should be assessed on their own merits, rather than explained through a predicted chain of postural changes.
When to seek medical advice
See a GP if joint pain affects sleep or normal activities, keeps returning or worsening, or has not improved after two weeks of self-care. Morning stiffness lasting more than 30 minutes also warrants advice.
Seek an urgent GP appointment or NHS 111 advice for a hot, swollen joint, or joint pain with fever or feeling unwell. Go to A&E or call 999 for severe joint pain after an injury, inability to walk or bear weight, a joint out of place, or tingling or loss of feeling around an injured joint. See the NHS joint pain guidance.
At an appointment in Eastbourne, Andy Duckmanton will ask about your symptoms and health history, examine relevant movement and discuss whether osteopathic care is suitable. Any follow-up should have an agreed purpose and be reviewed according to your progress. Routine appointments without symptoms should not be presented as a way to prevent arthritis. Use our conditions and symptoms guide to find information about the area that hurts.