Muscles & Joints: Questions and answers

I wonder if you have spoken to your doctor about this issue, or been to see a physiotherapist? It would be good to get to the root cause of this... Read the full answer 〉

This could be down to a few things, including dehydration. This will show itself after exercise because, of course, we lose lots of fluids at this... Read the full answer 〉

Diet can, undoubtedly, affect the severity of back pain. Including quite a lot of inflammatory foods in the diet, such as processed ready meals,... Read the full answer 〉

The neck is a very sensitive area of the body so I don't tend to recommend doing anything too vigorous here as there is quite a high likelihood... Read the full answer 〉

The best treatment for neck pain will really depend on what is causing the issue in the first place. For example, if it is down to injury then I... Read the full answer 〉

Devil's Claw would not be my recommendation in this instance, simply because it's unlikely to be strong enough to deal with nerve pain. It... Read the full answer 〉

There are many things that may contribute to this kind of problem, such as your sleeping position, a pillow that's too high and even an old... Read the full answer 〉

This is something I discuss in my blog 'Are your emotions to blame for your joint pain?' Repair processes can be hindered by the arrival of... Read the full answer 〉

Joint pain that gets worse in winter can often be attributed to the weather as we generally feel pain more during cold temperatures. Also, during... Read the full answer 〉

A strained muscle takes approximately two weeks for the pain to subside. It may then take up to a few months to heal completely. This period is a... Read the full answer 〉

I am sorry to hear about this issue. Obviously, I couldn't say for sure what's causing your pain, though it sounds like it might be to do... Read the full answer 〉

I would hold off from doing any strenuous exercise, such as a gym workout, whilst your back is painful. You don't want to risk making the... Read the full answer 〉

I think it is sensible to visit your doctor to see if they can figure out what is causing your hip and knee pain as this will determine the most... Read the full answer 〉

I am glad to hear you are making changes to your diet through the help of a nutritionist but do bear in mind that these changes will take time to... Read the full answer 〉

Sorry to hear about this problem. I would recommend applying some Atrogel Arnica gel to the area as, due to its anti-inflammatory properties, this... Read the full answer 〉

There are actually a few things that can cause muscle cramps, particularly at night, so it may be that magnesium deficiency is not to blame in this... Read the full answer 〉

I am sorry to hear about this problem. It seems as if you are taking the right steps to help manage it. During this time you may benefit from trying... Read the full answer 〉

Magnesium deficiency can contribute muscle cramps so you may find that it helps to increase your intake of magnesium-rich foods such as spinach and... Read the full answer 〉

I would always recommend a low impact sport for fibromyalgia sufferers. This includes things like swimming, cycling or even walking. The latter is... Read the full answer 〉

I don't know if you've asked to see a physio or chiropractor at all? You can get a referral through your doctor. The reason I suggest this is because... Read the full answer 〉

I don't know if any of those tests told you anything but don't discount your coeliac disease as a cause. It is an autoimmune disorder and therefore... Read the full answer 〉

You can't stop joints clicking. The noises are either caused by the joint expanding and forming a vacuum into which air rushes (like pulling a sucker... Read the full answer 〉

What did the hospital tell you was wrong with your knee? In the meantime, please follow this link to a blog I wrote recently on the understanding and... Read the full answer 〉

It always helps both in the short term relief of pain and in the longer term by slowing the progression of the disease. The type of arthritis will... Read the full answer 〉

The short answer is maybe. It depends on your weight, the mileage you run, whether you have any gait issues and the surface on which you run. I have... Read the full answer 〉

I don't know if any of those tests told you anything but don't discount your coeliac disease as a cause. It is an autoimmune disorder and therefore... Read the full answer 〉

These situations place a much greater load upon the knee than walking on the flat. Ask a physio to examine it for a diagnosis of what is wrong and... Read the full answer 〉

The shortest and most accurate answer is 'yes'. Exactly which tendon is involved and how it affects the knee will require the help of an MRI scan.... Read the full answer 〉

I'm afraid I can't diagnose your knee problem, though it sounds like the symptoms typical of osteoarthritis. In terms of remedies to help the pain... Read the full answer 〉

I can't diagnose via this medium I'm afraid but you may have some inflammation of the tendons, something a physio or MRI scan via your GP will... Read the full answer 〉

Sorry to read about your spreading discomfort. It's difficult to say for sure what effects all the postural changes will be, you'll need to be... Read the full answer 〉

Perhaps you would consider applying some Atrogel® to the area at least twice a day to add to the effect of the ibuprofen. I'm not sure which... Read the full answer 〉

Tennis elbow is a form of bursitis, that is inflammation of the fluid-filled sacks that surround the joints. It only gets better with rest I'm... Read the full answer 〉

There are so many possible reasons for heel pain that I will need some more details from you to give a meaningful answer.For example, it may just be... Read the full answer 〉

You may well find that the hormonal changes you are beginning to experience are responsible for your aches and pains. There are around 200 forms of... Read the full answer 〉

I can recommend our Atrosan tablets for the pain you are suffering and you may wish to try applying some Atrogel to specific areas but we always... Read the full answer 〉

If you visit my Joints and Muscles section on the website, you'll find lots of dietary advice on limiting inflammation. You may wish to... Read the full answer 〉

Have you tried anything that might help restore the cushioning between the bones, such as Glucosamine? You can gain some symptomatic relief from... Read the full answer 〉

You might either have 'Raynauds', also known as white finger, where the oxygen supply to the fingers is limited by poor circulation or tension in the... Read the full answer 〉

I can't diagnose but it sounds as if you have rheumatoid arthritis, which tends to affect the smaller joints. If you can follow the dietary advice... Read the full answer 〉

Knee pain is often a challenge because they carry so much of your weight. Those periods of pain during inactivity are classic signs of wear and tear... Read the full answer 〉

Please see my series of blogs about the causes of pain and its management.Following the dietary advice will help the symptoms, whether joints or... Read the full answer 〉

We can't diagnose I'm afraid but I wondered if it was aggravated on days you wear a heel or a wedge? I'm also curious as to whether you are up and... Read the full answer 〉

You could have one of a number of causes behind your pain. One could well be some wear and tear in the vertebrae of the neck, which could account for... Read the full answer 〉

The tendons and ligaments in the affected joints aren't always the same length as they were before and some wear and tear can develop on the operated... Read the full answer 〉

I think you may have Rotator Cuff tendinitis, bursitis of the shoulder or Shoulder Impingement. The rotator cuff is like a lip on the rim of your... Read the full answer 〉

I'm going to guess you mean your shoulder socket. If so, I think you may have Rotator Cuff tendinitis, bursitis of the shoulder or Shoulder... Read the full answer 〉

Yes, indeed. Apply 2-4 times a day and make sure 2 of those are before bed and upon rising. Our Atrogel® is not a rubbing oil, so it doesn't take... Read the full answer 〉

Many people swear that the colder and damper months exacerbate any underlying wear and tear in the joints and it has certainly been damp in the last... Read the full answer 〉

There isn't a blood or urine test for osteoarthritis, the symptoms picture is used to diagnose. I expect the doctor may have mentioned osteoarthritis... Read the full answer 〉

I'm sorry you are struggling so badly with your pain. We cannot diagnose what's wrong but I thought you might be interested in a copy of the text I... Read the full answer 〉

Quite possibly and perhaps the cause might be RSI, or repetitive strain injury. We cannot diagnose, so do consult a physio first. The pain can... Read the full answer 〉

I think you may have some wear and tear in the upper spine, Rotator Cuff tendinitis, bursitis of the shoulder or Shoulder Impingement.If you... Read the full answer 〉

As you may know, a lipoma is a type of benign tumour composed of fatty tissue. However, this fat is not structural nor can it be metabolised (broken... Read the full answer 〉

I think you may have Rotator Cuff tendinitis, bursitis of the shoulder or Shoulder Impingement. The rotator cuff is like a lip on the rim of your... Read the full answer 〉

Sorry to hear of your horribly traumatic experiences. Sometimes the soft tissues can remain painful for many months following the initial injury,... Read the full answer 〉

Devils Claw is a remedy you have to be a little patient with. I'd say a few weeks rather than a few days for results. The other factors that cause an... Read the full answer 〉

How have you managed for so long? Can I suggest a couple of supplements to relax the back and restore some strength to the leg that gives... Read the full answer 〉

You won't cause extra damage by climbing the stairs but the pain will of course increase. However, keeping a joint mobile is very important, as... Read the full answer 〉

First, change everything! If you use two or more pillows, reduce to just one. If you work at a computer, raise it up higher so you are not looking... Read the full answer 〉

After some thought, the answer is that the most likely reason behind the swelling is structural - the discomfort of the spinal erosion plus the... Read the full answer 〉

It sounds as if you have a muscular imbalance in your lower back or are tilting your pelvis to one side. Either could compress a nerve and explain... Read the full answer 〉

Sorry that your pain is so widespread.I presume you've seen the Fibromyalgia section on this website. If you have a diagnosis of fibromyalgia then... Read the full answer 〉

The most everyday cause of this is acid reflux from the stomach. For that I'd encourage you to really take time to relax and enjoy mealtime, chew for... Read the full answer 〉

Just a few days in most cases, depending upon the extent of the tear.Severe damage may take a fortnight but in either case, eat lots of vitamin C... Read the full answer 〉

Joint / muscle aches and pains may affect the mood especially if you are experiencing this continually. However, low mood can be caused by other... Read the full answer 〉

Do you suffer with digestive issues at all? The areas of pain you describe correspond to the symptoms of stomach problems.Heartburn, reflux, or an... Read the full answer 〉

Stiffness and the subsequent limitation of the range of movement in a joint are signs of arthritis, so you may instead have a muscular imbalance.... Read the full answer 〉

Because your pain has come on suddenly it is more likely to be an overuse injury. Referred pain is that which can indicate problems inside the body... Read the full answer 〉

Because you've had this severe pain before and because you would have said if you'd injured it, I would really recommend you ask your GP to arrange... Read the full answer 〉

Since the pain has come on acutely, hopefully it'll go relatively soon too. I get something similar after long days driving, holding my hands up to... Read the full answer 〉

I bet you suspected you might have some spinal wear and tear long before the two years of investigations were up! Being sat for so long will affect... Read the full answer 〉

Cramps can be brought on by sudden changes in temperature, poor circulation to the affected muscle (such as the calf in intermittent claudication) or... Read the full answer 〉

Pain and swelling reactions are just that - reactions. Our own body is reacting to an injury or overuse, resulting in Wear and Tear, or has been... Read the full answer 〉

It may be part of a general problem with your muscular skeletal system, which is now affecting your hip. It is common to find that a small injury has... Read the full answer 〉

This may be a trapped nerve, so it would be sensible to consult a physiotherapist or cranial osteopath, who could track the problem to its source and... Read the full answer 〉

Rest, Ice, Compress, Elevate (RICE) for sure, but I'd also use a knee support which you'll typically find at a pharmacy. The ligaments you've... Read the full answer 〉

Knees can be difficult to help as they take a lot of our weight. To be honest, the cod liver oil might not be strong enough to help much, especially... Read the full answer 〉