Pain

Everyone experiences pain at some time. It might be the result of an injury, operation, or pushing your body too hard. Headache, infection, arthritis, and other health problems cause pain. Unchecked, pain can rob you of the ability to sleep, work, and enjoy life. It can also lead to depression and anxiety.

We've come a long way from the days of "grin and bear it," or "no pain, no gain." Pain begets pain, so it's important to stop it early. There is no one-size-fits-all approach to pain relief. Standard medications can be a good option for many pain sufferers, but a wide range of effective nondrug therapies are also available.

Pain Articles

Getting a grip on hand osteoarthritis

The risk of hand osteoarthritis increases with age and can cause joint pain and stiffness that affects a person’s ability to effectively grasp and hold objects. It’s not possible to reverse hand osteoarthritis, or even slow its progression in most cases. Strategies to help manage flare-ups, include over-the-counter medications, hot and cold compresses, braces and splints, and hand physical therapy. (Locked) More »

When do I need an imaging test for my back pain?

Unless people have other symptoms in addition to low back pain, like a fever or leg weakness, an immediate x-ray, CT scan, or MRI rarely improves the outcome. A commonsense approach often works best, such as rest, hot and cold compresses, and over-the-counter pain relivers. (Locked) More »

Oh, my aching knees

Many women experience knee pain, which is often caused by one of three common conditions: patellofemoral pain syndrome, chronic degenerative meniscal tears, and early osteoarthritis. These conditions are common in older women. Most often symptoms produced by these conditions can be relieved by modifying your activities and physical therapy. But in some instances, surgery is warranted, but it’s typically only an option if other strategies haven’t proven effective. More »

What could cause my sudden jaw pain?

Sudden jaw pain could be due to several conditions, including an irritated nerve, cluster headache, temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorder, or a sign of cardiovascular disease. Since some of these involve immediate treatment, people should see their doctor to discuss their symptoms. (Locked) More »

When headaches are more than a pain

Everyone experiences the occasional headache, and while most episodes are not serious and can be treated on their own, people should be mindful about signs of the different types of headaches, such as tension, migraine, and cluster, as well as how they are treated, so they can determine if their pain is something more serious that requires medical attention. (Locked) More »