Joint and spine symptoms
- Aching pain in a joint that is worse after use and at the end of the day
- Stiffness in the morning or after sitting that eases within about half an hour
- Swelling, a grating or cracking feeling, or a joint that gives way
- Knee pain on climbing stairs, squatting or sitting cross-legged
- Neck pain and stiffness spreading to the shoulders, sometimes with headache
- Lower back pain that is worse on bending, lifting or long sitting
- Shoulder pain and stiffness that makes it hard to lift the arm or reach behind
Nerve symptoms
- Shooting, burning or electric pain that travels along a line, such as down the leg or arm
- Pain down one leg that is worse on sitting, coughing or sneezing, as in sciatica
- Tingling, pins and needles, or numbness in the hands or feet
- Weakness in the grip or in lifting the foot
- Sharp attacks of pain in the face, set off by touch, chewing or cold air
- Burning pain in a band on the chest or back after shingles
Joint pain and nerve pain
Joint pain usually stays in or around the joint and changes with movement and use. Nerve pain tends to travel, and often comes with tingling, numbness or a burning quality. The two often occur together, for example when spondylosis in the neck presses on a nerve to the arm.
A joint that is swollen in the morning for more than an hour, or many small joints affected on both sides, can point to inflammatory arthritis such as rheumatoid arthritis, which needs medical assessment and blood tests.
How it affects daily life
Long-standing pain changes how people move, sleep and work. Many stop walking or climbing stairs, sleep badly because they cannot find a comfortable position, and find it hard to sit through a working day or a journey.
Less movement often leads to more stiffness and weaker muscles, which can make the pain worse. If pain is stopping you from doing ordinary things, or you rely on painkillers most days, it is time for a review.