Whether it’s a dull ache in your back, a throbbing headache, or an ongoing sore knee, pain can be a common companion throughout life. However, it doesn’t have to get in the way of your wellbeing. Understanding the cause of your pain–and knowing how to manage it–can make a real difference to your quality of life.
We'll explore five common types of pain and discuss what might be causing them, effective self-care strategies, and the types of scans that can help diagnose the underlying issue.
- Back pain
- Headaches
- Knee pain
- Neck pain
- Musculoskeletal pain
Ready to say goodbye to pain? Let’s get started.
1. Back Pain
Back pain is one of the most common health issues you might face, no matter your age or lifestyle. It affects around one in six UK adults.
Poor posture, like slouching, can put extra pressure on your spine and muscles over time, causing discomfort. Lifting heavy objects incorrectly and sports injuries are also common culprits of aches, strains and pains.
As we get older, the joints in our spine can wear down, leading to pain and stiffness, a condition known as osteoarthritis. Other conditions like a herniated disc, where the soft cushion between the bones of your spine slips out of place, can also cause back pain, especially if it presses on a nerve.
Quick pain relief solutions you can try for back pain
There are a few simple remedies you can try at home to reduce back pain:
- For acute pain, take a break from strenuous activity and apply ice or heat packs for the first 48 hours.
- Try gentle stretches like a child's pose or a cat's pose can alleviate tension.
- Use over-the-counter medications like paracetamol and ibuprofen to reduce inflammation and discomfort.
- Invest in ergonomic furniture and be mindful of your posture, especially if you sit for long hours.
Types of scans to identify the issue
If your pain doesn’t improve, it might be time to seek physiotherapy and get a medical imaging scan. Scans can help identify a range of back pain causes, and there are a variety of scan types available to help you get the diagnosis you need.
For example, an MRI scan is the gold-standard imaging technique for the spine. It is ideal for spotting possible herniated discs or nerve compression in your back, whilst X-ray scans can reveal bone issues like fractures or arthritis.
If your back pain continues or worsens, don’t wait to seek help. Book your own scan with expert clinical guidance included. Find out the root cause of your pain and get a personalised digital imaging report to direct and support your onward care.
2. Headaches
Headaches can arise from tension, dehydration, stress, or even eye strain. More severe types, like migraines or cluster headaches, may be linked to neurological or vascular issues. SOme examples of headaches include:
- Tension headaches: Often triggered by stress, poor posture, or muscle tightness in the neck and scalp.
- Migraine headaches: A more severe, throbbing pain usually accompanied by nausea, sensitivity to light, or visual disturbances. Triggers include hormonal changes, certain foods, or stress.
- Cluster headaches: Intense, recurring pain often centred around one eye and typically happens in clusters over a period of weeks.
- Sinus headaches: Caused by sinus congestion and pressure, often accompanying a cold or allergies.
Neuralgia, which is pain caused by nerve irritation, can occur when the nerves in the face, neck, or head become affected, such as in conditions like trigeminal neuralgia. This type of pain can be sharp and shooting, often triggered by everyday activities.
Quick pain relief solutions you can try for head pain
If possible, rest with your eyes closed and avoid bright lights or loud noises. Drink plenty of water to stay hydrated and gently massage your temples, neck, and shoulders to relieve tension, or apply a warm compress to the affected area. Over-the-counter medicines like paracetamol can provide effective temporary pain relief.
You can also practice relaxation techniques like deep breathing, meditation, or yoga to reduce stress, which is a major headache trigger.
Types of scans to identify the issue
If your headaches are severe, frequent, or don’t respond to self-care, it may be time to consider medical imaging.
A CT scan is often used to detect abnormalities like bleeding in the brain or structural issues. In cases where sinus-related headaches are suspected, a sinus CT scan may be recommended. For more detailed imaging, an MRI provides a comprehensive look at the brain and surrounding tissues, making it useful for identifying conditions like tumours, cysts, nerve issues, abnormal fluid, or vascular problems.
If headaches are affecting your quality of life, don't wait to seek a diagnosis. It could be nothing to worry about, but the faster anomalies are diagnosed, the sooner they can be treated. If you want to avoid waiting lists, book a scan appointment today to quickly find out the cause of your headaches and access the right treatment plan.
When to seek emergency help
If your head pain is sudden and severe or accompanied by signs of a medical emergency, such as slurred speech, weakness on one side of the body, confusion, or vision changes, it could indicate a stroke or another life-threatening condition. In such cases, don’t wait - call 999 and request an ambulance immediately.
3. Knee pain
Most people will deal with knee pain at some point in their lives. As we get older, the cartilage in our knees naturally wears down, often leading to pain and stiffness in a condition known as osteoarthritis. If you are active, knee injuries like ACL tears are fairly common, too.
Overusing your knee with activities like running or jumping can lead to patellar tendinitis, where the tendon connecting your kneecap to your shinbone becomes inflamed. Another possible cause of knee pain is bursitis, which happens when the small fluid-filled sacs around the knee become irritated, especially after repeated pressure or overuse.
Quick pain relief solutions you can try for knee pain
Start with the RICE method (Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation) to reduce swelling and pain around your knees. Low-impact exercises like swimming or cycling can help strengthen your knee without putting too much strain on it.
Braces or supports can also stabilise your knee, and stretching or strengthening exercises, such as hamstring stretches and low-impact quad workouts, can improve muscle support.
Types of scans to identify the issue
An MRI scan provides detailed images of soft tissues like ligaments and tendons, which is useful for detecting injuries like ACL tears or meniscus damage. X-rays are great for spotting bone issues, such as fractures or signs of arthritis. In some cases, a CT scan or ultrasound may be used for a closer look at bone structure or fluid buildup.
Knee pain can limit your mobility and quality of life. Book a scan today, and explore personalised treatment options with help from an expert clinician.
4. Neck pain
Many people experience neck pain, often due to poor posture. Spending long hours on phones or computers is a common cause, which is also known as ‘text neck.’ Sleeping in an awkward position could also contribute to your discomfort. In some cases, the pain might be linked to a pinched nerve or a disc problem in the top part of your spine.
Quick pain relief solutions you can try for neck pain
- Gentle stretches, such as neck tilts and shoulder rolls, can ease stiffness.
- Use a heat pack for muscle tightness or an ice pack for inflammation.
- If you use a computer or laptop, ensure the screen is at eye level and use a chair that supports your arms, neck, and back.
- Try to avoid prolonged periods of staying in the same position, which can increase neck pain.
Types of scans to identify neck pain issues
An MRI scan is ideal for examining soft tissues like muscles, tendons, and discs in your neck, helping to detect issues such as herniated discs or pinched nerves. X-rays are used to check if you have any bone-related problems, such as fractures or arthritis.
Ultrasound can also assess ligament and tendon injuries, while a CT scan provides detailed views of the bone structure in your neck and upper spine.
All scans include a consultation with Scan.com's clinicians and a digital imaging report, with no GP referral required.
5. Musculoskeletal Pain
Musculoskeletal pain can affect your muscles, bones, ligaments, and tendons, and it can seriously impact your daily activities. It may result from overuse, repetitive movements, or an injury.
If you’ve been dealing with persistent pain, conditions like fibromyalgia could be causing widespread muscle discomfort. Even poor posture or improper lifting techniques can contribute to the problem.
Quick pain relief solutions you can try for musculoskeletal pain
- Topical treatments, like cooling creams or ibuprofen gels, can help soothe localised muscle pain and discomfort.
- Staying well-hydrated helps keep your muscles and tissues functioning properly, reducing the risk of cramping.
- Gentle movement and low-impact exercises like walking or swimming can keep muscles flexible without causing further strain.
- Regular stretching and strength exercises can improve flexibility, relieve tension, and prevent future injuries.
Types of scans to identify musculoskeletal pain issues
An MRI is the go-to scan for evaluating soft tissues like muscles, ligaments, and tendons. Ultrasound is another option that can help detect injuries to joints, ligaments and tendons by providing real-time images of movement and tissue condition.
Musculoskeletal pain can limit your ability to perform everyday activities and affect your overall quality of life. Don’t ignore it - schedule a scan to get a clear diagnosis to start your recovery journey.
Don’t forget proactive screening, too!
While pain is a common reason for seeking a scan, you don't need to wait for symptoms to arise to get answers about your health.
By getting a screening scan, you can catch issues early and prevent pain, or even spot conditions that don't have painful symptoms but still need medical care.
Take prostate scans, for example. They aren’t usually recommended just because of pain. Instead, they’re typically advised if you have a family history of prostate cancer, high PSA levels, or urinary symptoms like waking up multiple times a night to use the bathroom.
Schedule a prostate screening scan now.
Similarly, booking a full-body scan can be a great option for general health checks and proactive screening. They check multiple essential organs, structures, and blood vessels for anomalies even if you have no symptoms. But, they’re not geared towards investigating pain in the arms, legs, spine, shoulder, etc.
That’s why, for pain-related issues, targeted MRIs are usually a better choice as they give a more detailed analysis of what’s going on in a specific area.
Finding the right treatment for your pain
Living with pain, no matter where in your body, can be tough, but understanding what’s causing it is the first step toward relief. Simple treatments like rest, stretching, or using ice and heat can often help, but if pain continues, diagnostic scans like MRIs or X-rays can identify the problem.
Taking action early can make a big difference in how quickly you feel better. If your pain is affecting your life, book a scan today to find the right treatment for you.
If you’re not sure which scan is right for you, you can book a no-obligation consultation with an experienced clinician to discuss your options before committing to a scan. It costs just £50, and helps you get the answers you need as soon as the same day.
Image Credit: Pixabay
