This kind of pain is familiar to us all and because muscle tissue is in just about every part of our body, it can present anywhere. Muscle pain doesn’t necessarily mean there is an underlying issue. Pushing yourself through new or challenging activities can cause it, but normally, this disappears after a few days. Muscle pain shouldn’t linger.

Inflammation and stiffness generally accompany this type of pain. Age, previous injuries, overuse and pre-existing medical conditions can all contribute to its severity and is commonly found in the hands, elbow, feet, hips and knees.

These strong fibrous connective tissues work to keep your joints and bones connected. Ligaments attach bone and bone, while tendons attach muscle and bone. Pain in these tissues is generally the result of strains, sprains and tears, but age and pre-existing conditions can also play a role.

This type of pain can be a deep, uncomfortable penetrating discomfort. It can be differentiated from muscle or joint pain as its ever present – whether you’re moving or not. There are many reasons behind bone pain including injury, mineral deficiency and infection, amongst others.

Nerve pain often feels like a shooting, stabbing or burning sensation. It can occur when there is pressure on a nerve that runs from your spine to muscles, particularly common in lower back and neck regions, creating sharp shooting pain into the leg or arm.