Aches & Pains: Expert Guides and Resources

Your back hurts, and you want to know what to do about it. Congratulations! You’ve come to the right place. We may not be able to tell you what’s causing your pain (probably nobody can), but we can tell you how to build a stronger back, and that’s likely to make the pain go away or reduce it to a point at which you can start enjoying your life again.

Back pain is such a common condition that many doctors consider it a normal part of life — but you don't have to suffer. To start, know when to see a doctor for your pain, learn how to choose the right doctor to treat it, and ask smart questions about the tests and treatments your doctor suggests. Managing back pain requires home care, too; so develop a plan for managing your back pain at home.

Nocturnal leg cramps can lead to a rude awakening: You're suddenly sleepless and in pain in the middle of the night. Symptoms of nocturnal leg cramps include excruciating contractions of the calf muscles, and sometimes of the foot muscles as well. Credit: ©iStockphoto.com/phototake Nocturnal leg cramps are true cramps and not spasms.

Almost everyone has heard the phrase, "No pain, no gain." What most people don't know is the definition of pain. Pain is the body's warning sign that it's in jeopardy of being injured. A more appropriate phase would be, "If it hurts, don't do it." You may be performing an exercise incorrectly, or the exercise may not work well for you.

Knee function is controlled by more muscles, tendons, ligaments, and cartilage than any other joint in your body. That’s one reason why it’s often the first joint to break down and cause pain. The other is that the knees are involved in virtually every sport or activity, making it the most common joint to suffer injury.

Nearly 80 percent of people suffer lower-back pain at some point in their adult lives. You may have a nagging stiffness that makes tying your shoes a difficult proposition, or you may have a chronic, debilitating pain that keeps you curled up in bed for weeks at a time. Although regular workouts (especially abdominal and back exercises) can do a lot to help prevent back pain, fitness activities can also cause back problems, particularly if you do a lot of pounding or use improper form when you run or cycle.

The rotator cuff is a group of four muscles that surround and protect your shoulder joint. They’re particularly delicate and susceptible to injury. If you can’t raise your arm, you may have a rotator-cuff tear. The rotator cuff can tear if your arm is violently pulled or twisted or if you fall with your arm outstretched.

Stress fractures are typically not one but a series of micro-fractures or hairline breaks that run along the bone. Long-distance runners, hikers, backpackers, and in-line skaters are the most common sufferers of stress fractures. With a stress fracture, you typically don’t have a telltale snap or pop that occurs in other breaks.