Pain is universally felt in just about every injury and medical condition. It is what helps doctors diagnose what is wrong and how they can treat the pain. Listed below are the top 10 most common conditions resulting in pain.

1. Back
Back pain can be caused on many levels. Normally it is either stress on the spine or on the muscles in the back. Bending or hunching can cause the spine to curve and sitting or standing in this position for a period of time can strain or sprain your spinal column. Often the most common back pain is the lower portion and this can be due to poor posture, improper lifting, sleeping “wrong,” or by extra weight.

2. Abdomen
Often the source of the pain in the area of the abdomen can help doctors figure out what is causing it. Right lower side pain may indicate Appendicitis; the left lower area may indicate Diverticulitis; Gallbladder pain is typically felt in the upper right region. Other causes of abdominal pain include gas, food poisoning, and indigestion.

3. Leg and Knee
Pain in the legs and knees is typically a result of an injury. Sports injuries are commonly found to affect the legs, most notably the knees. Leg cramps, sometimes referred to as a “Charley Horse,” are spasms in the muscles that cause them to tighten painfully. Joint pain and shin splits are also a common complaint usually resulting from depletion in nutrients and dehydration and also from overexertion while exercising.

4. Shoulders
Shoulder pain is a common complaint and there are many causes of it. Frozen shoulder which is known as a stiff shoulder is in cause of the joint. Stretching is extremely important to help relieve this pain and physical therapy is often needed. Rotator cuff tendonitis is the most common shoulder pain problem and is often due to overuse of the shoulder. Muscle strain is also a factor and is usually a result of holding your arms up for a period of time or by poor posture.

5. Arthritis
Arthritis is very common, especially among older people. But arthritis can also occur when bones have been broken or fractured. There are several ways that arthritis can occur: genes, injury, illness or infection, sports, occupational hazards, weight, and age. The source of arthritis can often be difficult to pinpoint. Why arthritis is such a common ailment is not widely understood and the only way it can be treated it through pain medication.

6. Headaches
No one really knows why headaches happen, only that it is a pain felt in the head often caused by a number of underlying reasons. Headaches can be induced through injury, concentration, and stress. Migraines can also occur where the headaches are so painful and happen frequently. Head injury, such as hitting your head, can also lead to further pain. People who have suffered from a concussion are more susceptible to headaches and migraines than those who have not had a concussion.

7. Neck
Neck pain usually comes hand in hand with shoulder pain. Strain on the muscles or spinal column are usually associated with this condition. Car crashes often result with whip lash. When this occurs it may be necessary to wear a brace around your neck in order to help it heal. Other causes include poor posture and overuse. Quick movement may also result in a “kink” in the neck which is a spasm of the muscles that also leads to pain.

8. Cancer
Pain is common among illnesses. Cancer is the most painful due to the nature for which all cancers work; it break the body down sometimes slowly over time other times at an accelerated rate. The body’s nerves react in a way that causes pain as the body is eaten away as well as the treatments that are used to kill the cancer. Depending on the type of cancer, pain relief can be achieved for a period of time, but that is often not the case.

9. Chest
Chest pain can be a sign of a heart attack as well as an indication of injury. In women, tenderness in breasts or pain can indicate signs of cancer. Congestion or fluid buildup in the lungs can also bring pain. Heartburn is a very common ailment, as well, usually brought on through indigestion. Panic attacks may also result in chest pain from a tightness brought on during the period and inability to feel as if you cannot breathe. All causes of chest pain should be consulted with your doctor as chest pain often can lead to serious conditions.

10. Foot
Foot pain is another very common problem. Usually women complain of this pain and it is brought on by wearing heels. The angle at which the foot is positioned causes stress in the tendons and joints, pressing all the weight to the top of the foot. Other problems include sprain ankles and pain in the joints of the toes from exercising. Sports that involve running can result in arch pain, plantar fasciitis, and Achilles tendonitis. All of these conditions require medical attention as they can be severe if not properly cared for.

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