When should you worry about pain?

Common causes of pain

It's not unusual to feel aches and pains from time to time. If you're ill you often feel achy, the cold can cause joints to feel a little stiffer, or you may have a minor injury that will clear up on its own.

GP Dr Roger Henderson says that musculoskeletal pain - such as lower back pain, hip and knee pain, and ligament or tendon pains - are an extremely common cause of pain.

But if your pain is affecting your quality of life you need to speak with your pharmacist or doctor.

"If pain suddenly becomes worse, is a different type of pain to that normally experienced, it affects your quality of life so that normal activities are affected, or regular painkillers are required, then a healthcare professional opinion should be sought," he says. "Pain that persists for no good reason should also be investigated."

Just as it's important to seek medical help for pain that suddenly gets worse, there are also certain types of pain that should never be ignored.

Henderson explains that there are several types of pain that require urgent attention.

Henderson advises that an unusually severe headache should never be ignored - especially if it wakes you from sleep, comes on like a thunderclap, or is a first-or-worst headache. The latter means it's the first time you've ever had a pain like this, or the worst headache you've ever experienced.

"Calf pain can be a sign of a blood clot, especially after a long period of sitting or immobility," he says. "Any pain that is also associated with unintentional weight loss should always be investigated. If in doubt, get checked out."

Long-term (chronic) pain can be caused by underlying conditions.

Henderson says: "Many illnesses or disorders, such as flu, fibromyalgia, and irritable bowel syndrome are well known for causing pain but almost any part of the body can be affected by painful conditions."

The same rules apply to any pain caused by underlying conditions - if it persists, suddenly becomes worse, or is affecting your quality of life then you should seek medical help from a pharmacist or doctor.

"If the pain is simple or relatively easy to deal with then ask your pharmacist for advice initially," Henderson says. "If you have any concerns about the type of pain you are experiencing then speak with your doctor."

If your pain is not so severe that you need to see a doctor, but is still causing you discomfort, there are a few options to manage it yourself at home.

Getting enough sleep is vital to helping your body heal, so if you have pain that's not going away getting enough rest is key.

For inflammation pain

Over-the-counter painkillers can also help with aches and pains that need a bit of attention. If your pain is associated with inflammation, such as headaches or back pain, then paracetamol and anti-inflammatory painkillers, such as ibuprofen, work best.

For musculoskeletal pain

If your pain is due to musculoskeletal issues such as muscle pulls and ligament sprains, Henderson advises that a few days of rest and painkillers are often all that is required.

"Sometimes a compression bandage and elevating the area can help, depending on the affected part of the body," he adds.

For lower back pain

For simple lower back pain, gentle activity is better than bed rest. Warm baths or compresses can also help to ease pain caused by muscle spasms.

If pain is ongoing, keeping as physically active as possible is very important as this helps to improve mood, sleep, and general wellbeing by releasing endorphins - your body's own 'feel good' hormones. It also reduces the chance of muscles and joints stiffening up, which can make matters worse in the long term.

For intense pain

Henderson says that with intense pain it can be easy to start taking shallow, rapid breaths, which can make you feel dizzy, anxious, or panicked, so instead breathe slowly and deeply.