Experiencing physical discomfort is inevitable at some points in everyone’s life. Pain can stem from exercise, fatigue, and tiredness, but it can also be a symptom of something worse.
Body aches can occur in individual or several parts of your anatomy. Depending on the body part’s function, your general health condition, and recent injuries, this pain and discomfort may equate to different symptoms, effects, and treatment.
Seeking medical attention during recurring and abnormal pain can’t be overstated. If you encounter these common body aches, here are some potential explanations and treatments:
- Back Pain
As the name implies, back pain is a type of body ache experienced in an individual’s lower back. It’s a common condition that affects eight in ten people worldwide. Back pain can range from a mild, aching sensation that quickly goes away on its own, to a debilitating pain that can radiate to other parts of the body.
Depending on your level of pain and associated health condition, there are different approaches on how to relieve back pain. You can easily resolve most back pain episodes linked to physical exhaustion and activity with:
- Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDs)
- Analgesics or pain relievers
- Muscle relaxants
- Topical rubs and ointments
- Steroid injections
- Headache
Headache is another widespread symptom experienced by many people. It is described as pain in any region of your head, whether it is caused by physical, emotional, environmental, or medical factors. Headaches can heavily impact your cognitive, emotional, and recreational functioning, which overall decreases your quality of life.
Headaches are categorized into various types. When diagnosing headaches, it’s important to accurately identify your symptoms as it’ll help detect the type of headache you’re experiencing and find an effective treatment.
Occasional headaches are easily managed through over-the-counter (OTC) medications like acetaminophen, ibuprofen, and aspirin. Your physician will provide prescription medications for chronic headaches and combine them with therapies to reduce stress, including acupuncture, cognitive behavioral therapy, massage therapy, and biofeedback.
- Toothache
Tooth pain or toothache is a dental condition characterized by pain around the teeth or jaws. Toothache occurs when your dental nerves become irritated, causing inflammation to the tooth’s pulp.
Upon examining your dental anatomy, your dentist will prescribe the right treatment according to the cause of your toothache. If it’s an infection, taking prescribed antibiotics and performing a root canal are effective treatments, while a cavity can call for dental fillings or tooth extraction.
- Neck Pain
Neck pain is identified as pain or discomfort that begins in the neck and can travel down to surrounding parts, like the jaw, arms, and upper back.
Neck pain and stiffness develop due to inflammation, injury, or abnormality of the muscles, ligaments, and bones supporting your head. Poor posture, overuse, injury, and chronic disease are prominent causes of neck pain.
Neck pain treatment is aligned with your diagnosis. Before your physician can accurately pinpoint the cause of your neck pain, you may have to undergo examinations like blood tests, X-rays, CT and MRI scans, lumbar puncture, and electromyography.
Potential treatments and therapies for neck pain are as follows:
- Stretching and exercise
- Physical therapy
- Ice and heat therapy
- Chiropractic treatment
- Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS)
- Pain medication
- Muscle relaxants
Conclusion
Pain and discomfort throughout your body can arise from several factors and causes. Excessive physical activity and a lack thereof are two of the most relevant causes.
Prevention and treatment of pain may sometimes seem counterintuitive. Since your back pain is burdening alone, it can be overwhelming to move around and encourage yourself to be physically active – but light exercise itself can bring relief from your symptoms. With the help of OTC medication, you may be able to perform the movement you need to ease the more prominent pain.
Exercise is an easy, cheap, and effective way to prevent and treat body ache. Therefore, ensure that you’re engaging in the potential treatments discussed and striving towards a higher level of fitness through workouts.