Causes of pain
There are many different causes of pain, and you may need to talk to your GP or have a conversation with your pharmacist to try and understand the exact cause and the possible treatment options. There will be some situations where you may be able to manage the pain yourself so you can carry on as usual.
This could be through over-the-counter pain relief or through some changes to your lifestyle. This might mean adding in some gentle exercise to your daily routine or making sure you are getting all the key nutrients you need.
Types of pain
There are different types of pain, and it can sometimes be a symptom of an underlying condition. The list includes several common types of pain that you may be able to manage yourself or talk to a pharmacist about:
Headache
Toothache
Period pain
Muscle or joint pain
Back pain
Help and support to treat and manage pain
While eliminating pain may not always be possible, there are ways to help treat and manage it to reduce disruption to daily living.
Things you can do at home to ease pain include:
Applying a hot or cold compress to soothe muscle pain
Taking a hot bath to ease period pain
Low-impact activities like walking and swimming can help to loosen up stiff muscles, joints, and ligaments
Some activities such as walking, swimming, and dancing can also help to block pain signals to the brain
During periods of intense pain, you might find that relaxation and deep breathing helps
Over-the-counter remedies can also help alleviate pain symptoms. Speak to your pharmacist or GP about the safest pain relief options for you
We’d always recommend speaking to your GP if you experience new pain or further pain following physical activity. It could be an underlying injury that’s being made worse by exercise.
For more guidance and advice on how to cope with pain from day to day, visit the NHS Live Well Hub.