Common pain, explained in simple words

Back pain is one of the most common reasons people see a physiotherapist. It can start suddenly after lifting something heavy, or build up slowly from long hours at a desk or riding a two-wheeler in Jaipur traffic.

Neck pain is common among people who spend long hours on a laptop or phone, and can also follow an injury or a bad sleeping position.

Knee pain can affect people at any age, from athletes with a recent injury to older adults dealing with joint wear and tear.

Shoulder pain, including frozen shoulder and rotator cuff problems, can make everyday tasks like reaching, dressing or sleeping uncomfortable.

Frozen shoulder is a common problem where the shoulder slowly becomes stiff and painful. Many people first notice it while reaching for a seatbelt, hooking a blouse or sari, or lifting a bag onto a high shelf. It usually builds up over months. It is more common in people aged 40 to 60, and in people who have diabetes.

Sciatica is the name for pain that starts in your lower back and travels down through the hip and leg, and sometimes all the way to the foot. It often flares up after long hours of sitting, a long drive on Jaipur's roads, or when a disc in the spine presses on a nearby nerve. Many people also feel tingling, numbness or a heavy, weak feeling in the leg.

A slip disc, sometimes called a slipped or bulging disc, happens when one of the soft cushions between your spine bones pushes out and presses on a nearby nerve. This can cause pain in your back or neck that may travel down an arm or a leg. It often builds up slowly, after lifting something the wrong way, or from long hours sitting bent over a desk, a phone or a two-wheeler.

Spondylosis is a common name for the natural wear that happens in the spine as we get older. It often shows up as stiffness or a dull ache in the neck or lower back, and it can feel worse after long hours at a desk, on the phone, or bent over a laptop. Many people in Jaipur first notice it in the morning, or after a long drive.

Tennis elbow is pain on the outer side of the elbow. Despite the name, most people who get it have never played tennis. It usually comes from overuse or repeated gripping, like wringing out clothes, lifting heavy bags, long hours using a computer mouse, or daily kitchen work such as rolling rotis and handling a heavy kadhai. The pain can feel sharp when you grip or lift, and the area may feel tender to touch.

Arthritis means the joints become painful, stiff and harder to move. It is very common as we get older, and the knees are often the first to complain. You might feel it most in the morning, when the joint feels tight, or while climbing stairs and getting up after sitting on the floor. The good news is that the right physiotherapy can help ease the pain and keep your joints moving in daily life.

Ankle pain often starts in a split second. One wrong step off a kerb, a twist while playing cricket or badminton, or a slip on an uneven Jaipur footpath, and the ankle rolls over. Many people feel pain, swelling and a bit of wobbliness afterwards. Some ankles settle on their own, but others stay sore, keep giving way, or feel weak long after the twist. A physiotherapist can help you understand what happened and guide your recovery.

A muscle strain happens when a muscle is stretched too far or slightly torn. It often comes on suddenly, like during a weekend cricket match, a gym session, or when you lift something quickly in the wrong way. Many people feel a sharp pull at the time, followed by soreness, swelling or tightness over the next few days.

Whether it's a sprain, strain or ligament injury from sport or exercise, the right rehabilitation is an important part of a safe return to activity.

After surgery such as a knee or hip replacement, guided physiotherapy is an important part of getting your strength and movement back.