Plantar heel pain, often called plantar fasciitis, is pain under the heel where the plantar fascia (a thick band of tissue along the sole) attaches to the heel bone. It is typically worst with the first steps in the morning or after sitting. Most people improve with simple measures such as…

Chronic exertional compartment syndrome (CECS) is a condition where exercise causes a build-up of pressure in a muscle compartment of the lower leg, leading to pain and tightness. Symptoms usually come on at a predictable point in exercise and ease when you stop. It is different from acute…

A tibial bone stress injury is damage to the shin bone caused by repeated loading, such as running, that outpaces the bone's ability to repair. It ranges from an early stress reaction to a stress fracture. Most heal with a period of reduced load and a carefully graded return to activity.

A calf strain is an injury where fibres in the calf muscles (gastrocnemius or soleus) are overstretched or torn. It often happens during running, sprinting or sudden push-off. Most calf strains recover without surgery through a gradual, active rehab programme.

Acute wry neck is a sudden, painful stiffness in the neck, often noticed on waking, where the head is held tilted or turned to one side. It is usually caused by muscle spasm and is not a sign of serious damage. Most cases settle on their own within a few days to around a week.

Cervical spondylosis is the name for age-related changes in the discs and joints of the neck, sometimes called neck arthritis. These changes are very common and often cause no symptoms, but some people get neck pain and stiffness that comes and goes. It is usually managed in the same way as…

Cervical radiculopathy is when a nerve root in the neck is irritated or compressed, causing pain, pins and needles, numbness or weakness that spreads into the arm. It is often caused by a disc bulge or age-related changes in the neck. Most people improve with time and non-surgical care.

Whiplash is a neck injury caused by the head being suddenly jolted forwards, backwards or sideways, most often in a road traffic collision. It causes neck pain and stiffness and sometimes headaches or arm pain. Many people improve a lot within three months, and keeping active is a key part of…

Pelvic girdle pain (PGP) is pain in the joints of the pelvis during or after pregnancy, felt at the front over the pubic bone, at the back near the sacroiliac joints, or both. It used to be called symphysis pubis dysfunction (SPD). PGP is common and not harmful to your baby, and early advice,…

Sever's disease is irritation of the growth plate at the back of the heel bone, and it is the most common cause of heel pain in active children. It is linked to repeated running and jumping while the heel is still growing. It is not a disease in the usual sense and tends to settle with sensible…

Tibialis posterior tendon dysfunction is a problem with the tendon that runs behind the inner ankle bone and helps support the arch of the foot. When the tendon becomes painful and weak, the arch can gradually flatten, which is why it is a common cause of adult acquired flatfoot. In the early…

Metatarsalgia is the general name for pain in the ball of the foot, under the ends of the long metatarsal bones just behind the toes. It is a symptom rather than a single diagnosis, and is often caused by too much pressure through the forefoot. Most people improve with footwear changes, padding…

Golfer's elbow is pain on the inner side of the elbow caused by an overloaded tendon where the muscles that bend the wrist and turn the forearm attach to the bone. It is less common than tennis elbow, and most people who get it do not play golf. Most cases improve with time, activity changes and…

Tennis elbow is pain on the outer side of the elbow caused by an irritated, overloaded tendon where the forearm muscles attach to the bone. Despite the name, most people who get it do not play tennis. It often improves on its own within a year, and exercise-based care can help you stay active…

The acromioclavicular (AC) joint is the small joint at the top of the shoulder where the collarbone meets the shoulder blade. It can be sprained or separated by a fall onto the point of the shoulder, or become painful from wear-and-tear arthritis in middle age. Most AC joint injuries and…

Calcific tendinopathy is a condition where calcium deposits build up in the rotator cuff tendons of the shoulder. The deposits often cause no symptoms, but when the body starts to break them down they can cause sudden, severe pain. In most people the condition settles over time, often on its own.

Rib joint pain is pain from the small joints where the ribs meet the spine at the back, often called a rib sprain or costovertebral dysfunction. It typically causes sharp, one-sided pain beside the spine that can wrap around the chest and catch with breathing or twisting. It is usually…

Costochondritis is pain and tenderness where the ribs join the breastbone, usually on the front of the chest. It is a common and usually harmless cause of chest pain that often settles within weeks. Because chest pain can come from the heart or lungs, it should always be medically assessed…

Upper back pain is pain felt anywhere between the base of the neck and the bottom of the ribcage, often between the shoulder blades. In most cases it comes from the muscles, joints and ligaments of the thoracic spine and ribs rather than serious disease. It usually improves with time, staying…

Non-specific neck pain is pain and stiffness in the neck that is not caused by a specific disease, injury or trapped nerve. It is very common and usually improves within a few weeks, although it can return. Staying active, exercise and, for some people, hands-on care combined with exercise are…