Find the pattern behind what hurts.
143 plain-language guides
Start with a body area, a symptom, or the name you were given. This library covers common musculoskeletal conditions, sports injuries, pain patterns, and recovery questions without asking you to diagnose yourself.
A guide, not a self-diagnosis
You can begin with the language you already have.
Pain location alone cannot confirm a diagnosis. Shoulder pain can begin in the shoulder or the neck. Heel pain can involve fascia, tendon, bone, nerve, or load. These pages help you recognize useful clues, understand what an examination should answer, and spot changes that belong in urgent medical care.
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Terms such as tingling, clicking, instability, morning stiffness, and running pain are indexed alongside condition names.
Two New Hampshire clinics
Assessment and care are available in Portsmouth on the Seacoast and Alton in the Lakes Region.
Search every condition, symptom, injury, and recovery guide.
Filter by body region or type what you feel. Every result opens a dedicated guide with signs, contributors, assessment priorities, care options, urgent warnings, and related topics.
143 guides
Head, headache & jaw
8 guidesHeadache patterns, jaw pain, concussion symptoms, and impact-related complaints.
Headaches & MigrainesHead pain can be linked to the neck, jaw, muscle tension, migraine, or another medical cause.Cervicogenic HeadacheA cervicogenic headache is head pain referred from structures in the neck.Tension-Type HeadacheTension-type headache commonly feels like pressure or tightness around the head.Migraine-Related Neck PainNeck pain can occur before, during, or after a migraine episode.TMJ DisordersTemporomandibular disorders affect the jaw joint, chewing muscles, or both.Jaw PainJaw pain may come from the temporomandibular joint, chewing muscles, dental structures, or referred pain.ConcussionA concussion is a mild traumatic brain injury that can affect thinking, vision, balance, sleep, mood, and exertion tolerance.Persistent Post-Concussion SymptomsSome concussion symptoms last longer than expected and affect reading, screens, exercise, work, or balance.
Neck & cervical spine
10 guidesNeck pain, limited motion, disc and joint complaints, and symptoms that travel into an arm.
Neck PainNeck pain may come from muscles, joints, discs, nerves, or the way the upper body handles repeated load.Neck Strain & SprainA neck strain affects muscle or tendon, while a sprain affects ligament.Tech Neck & Postural Neck PainTech neck describes neck and upper-back symptoms that build during sustained screen use, not a permanent structural deformity.Cervical RadiculopathyCervical radiculopathy occurs when a nerve root in the neck is irritated or compressed.Cervical Disc HerniationA cervical disc herniation is displacement of disc material in the neck that may irritate a nearby nerve.Cervical SpondylosisCervical spondylosis describes age-related change in the neck's discs and joints.Cervical Facet Joint PainThe small facet joints at the back of the cervical spine can become sensitive after compression, sustained positioning, or injury.Cervical Spinal StenosisCervical spinal stenosis is narrowing around the spinal cord or nerve roots in the neck.TorticollisTorticollis is an involuntary or guarded head position with restricted neck motion.Limited Neck MobilityReduced neck mobility can follow pain, injury, arthritis, guarding, or weeks spent avoiding movement.
Shoulder & shoulder blade
13 guidesOverhead pain, weakness, instability, tendon injury, and shoulder-blade mechanics.
Shoulder PainShoulder pain can arise from the rotator cuff, bursa, joint, labrum, neck, or the way the shoulder blade and upper arm share load.Rotator Cuff InjuriesThe rotator cuff is a group of four muscles and tendons that center and rotate the shoulder.Rotator Cuff TendinopathyRotator cuff tendinopathy is load-related pain in one or more shoulder tendons.Rotator Cuff Tear RehabilitationRehabilitation for a rotator cuff tear may be nonsurgical or follow repair.Shoulder Impingement SymptomsShoulder impingement describes pain as tendons or bursal tissue become sensitive during arm elevation.Shoulder BursitisShoulder bursitis is irritation of a fluid-filled sac that helps tissues glide under the acromion.Frozen ShoulderFrozen shoulder, or adhesive capsulitis, causes progressive pain and loss of both active and passive shoulder motion.Shoulder Labral InjuryThe shoulder labrum is a rim of cartilage that deepens the socket and supports stability.Shoulder InstabilityShoulder instability occurs when the upper-arm bone moves excessively in the socket or feels likely to slip.Shoulder Dislocation RehabilitationA shoulder dislocation requires prompt reduction and medical assessment.AC Joint SprainAn acromioclavicular joint sprain affects the ligaments at the top of the shoulder, usually after a fall directly onto the shoulder.Proximal Biceps TendinitisThe long head of the biceps tendon can become painful at the front of the shoulder.Scapular DyskinesisScapular dyskinesis describes altered shoulder-blade movement or position, not a diagnosis by itself.
Elbow & forearm
9 guidesThrowing injuries, tendon overload, nerve irritation, and forearm strain.
Tennis ElbowTennis elbow is load-related pain in the wrist-extensor tendon at the outside of the elbow.Golfer's ElbowGolfer's elbow is pain at the inner elbow where wrist-flexor and forearm tendons attach.Elbow SprainAn elbow sprain injures one or more ligaments after a fall, twist, hyperextension, or contact.UCL Injury of the ElbowThe ulnar collateral ligament stabilizes the inner elbow during throwing.Cubital Tunnel SyndromeCubital tunnel syndrome is irritation or compression of the ulnar nerve near the inner elbow.Triceps TendinopathyTriceps tendinopathy causes pain where the triceps tendon attaches at the back of the elbow.Distal Biceps Tendon InjuryThe distal biceps tendon attaches near the elbow and helps bend the elbow and turn the palm up.Forearm Muscle StrainA forearm strain affects muscle or tendon used for gripping, wrist motion, or forearm rotation.Elbow StiffnessElbow stiffness can follow injury, immobilization, surgery, arthritis, or prolonged guarding.
Wrist, hand & thumb
10 guidesGrip weakness, tingling, tendon irritation, sprains, and return of hand function.
Carpal Tunnel SyndromeCarpal tunnel syndrome is compression of the median nerve at the wrist.De Quervain's TenosynovitisDe Quervain's tenosynovitis irritates two thumb tendons near the wrist.Wrist SprainA wrist sprain injures supporting ligaments after a fall, twist, or forceful bend.Wrist Tendinitis & TendinopathyWrist tendinopathy is load-related pain in a flexor, extensor, or side-specific wrist tendon.TFCC InjuryThe triangular fibrocartilage complex supports the small-finger side of the wrist and helps stabilize forearm rotation.Thumb SprainA thumb sprain affects ligaments that stabilize the thumb, commonly after a fall, ball impact, or ski-pole injury.Trigger FingerTrigger finger causes catching, clicking, or locking as a flexor tendon moves through its pulley in the palm.Hand Overuse InjuryHand overuse symptoms appear when gripping, pinching, typing, playing an instrument, or tool use repeatedly exceeds tissue capacity.Grip WeaknessGrip weakness can come from pain, tendon injury, nerve compression, joint disease, or deconditioning.Wrist Fracture RehabilitationRehabilitation after a wrist fracture begins when the bone is stable and the treating clinician clears motion and loading.
Upper back, mid-back & ribs
8 guidesThoracic stiffness, rib pain, postural overload, and pain around the shoulder blades.
Mid-Back PainMid-back pain involves the thoracic spine, ribs, muscles, or referred pain from another area.Upper Back PainUpper-back pain often sits around the shoulder blades and may reflect muscle load, thoracic stiffness, neck referral, or shoulder mechanics.Thoracic Mobility RestrictionThoracic mobility restriction is loss of useful rotation or extension through the mid-spine.Rib Joint PainRib-joint pain can arise where a rib meets the spine or breastbone and often changes with breathing, rotation, coughing, or pressure.Intercostal Muscle StrainAn intercostal strain affects muscles between the ribs and may hurt with breathing, coughing, reaching, or rotation.Postural Upper-Back PainPostural upper-back pain is discomfort that builds in sustained work or study positions and improves with movement or support.HyperkyphosisHyperkyphosis is increased forward curvature of the thoracic spine.Costovertebral Joint DysfunctionCostovertebral joint dysfunction describes irritation where a rib meets the thoracic spine.
Low back, pelvis & core
15 guidesLow-back pain, sciatica, disc and joint complaints, pelvic pain, and core injury.
Back PainBack pain can involve the lumbar joints, discs, muscles, nerves, hips, or a non-musculoskeletal source.Low Back PainLow back pain is a symptom with many possible sources, not a single diagnosis.Lumbar Strain & SprainA lumbar strain affects muscle or tendon, while a sprain affects ligament.Lumbar Herniated DiscA lumbar herniated disc is displacement of disc material that may irritate a nearby nerve.Lumbar Degenerative Disc DiseaseLumbar degenerative disc disease describes age-related disc changes associated with back pain in some people.SciaticaSciatica describes pain along the sciatic nerve pathway, usually from a lumbar nerve-root problem.Lumbar Spinal StenosisLumbar spinal stenosis is narrowing around nerves in the low back.Lumbar Facet Joint PainLumbar facet joints can become sensitive with compression, rotation, or sustained extension.Spondylolysis & SpondylolisthesisSpondylolysis is a stress injury in part of a vertebra, while spondylolisthesis is forward slippage of one vertebra.Sacroiliac Joint DysfunctionSacroiliac joint pain sits near the dimple area where the pelvis meets the sacrum.Tailbone PainTailbone pain, or coccydynia, is pain around the coccyx that often worsens with sitting, rising, or direct pressure.ScoliosisScoliosis is a three-dimensional spinal curve that may be identified during growth or adulthood.Pelvic PainPelvic pain may involve joints, muscles, nerves, pelvic organs, or the pelvic floor.Athletic PubalgiaAthletic pubalgia is activity-related pain at the lower abdomen or groin involving the core muscle and adductor complex.Diastasis RectiDiastasis recti is widening and reduced tension through the connective tissue between the abdominal muscles.
Hip, groin & thigh
14 guidesHip-joint pain, tendon overload, muscle strains, and nerve-related thigh symptoms.
Hip PainHip pain may come from the joint, labrum, tendons, bursa, muscles, lumbar spine, or nerves.Hip ImpingementFemoroacetabular impingement describes contact between the hip ball and socket during certain ranges.Hip Labral TearThe hip labrum is a rim of cartilage around the socket.Hip OsteoarthritisHip osteoarthritis is cartilage and joint change that may cause groin pain, stiffness, and loss of walking tolerance.Greater Trochanteric Pain SyndromeGreater trochanteric pain syndrome causes pain at the outside of the hip and often involves gluteal tendons, with or without bursal irritation.Gluteal TendinopathyGluteal tendinopathy is load-related pain in tendons at the outside of the hip.Piriformis SyndromePiriformis syndrome is a debated label for buttock pain and possible sciatic-nerve irritation near the deep hip rotators.Snapping Hip SyndromeSnapping hip is an audible or palpable snap as a tendon moves over bone at the front or side of the hip.Hip Flexor StrainA hip-flexor strain affects muscle or tendon at the front of the hip, often during sprinting, kicking, or sudden acceleration.Groin StrainA groin strain injures one or more adductor muscles on the inner thigh.Hamstring StrainA hamstring strain is a muscle injury at the back of the thigh, usually during sprinting, rapid acceleration, or forced lengthening.Proximal Hamstring TendinopathyProximal hamstring tendinopathy causes pain near the sitting bone where the hamstring tendon begins.Quadriceps StrainA quadriceps strain affects the front-thigh muscles during sprinting, kicking, jumping, or sudden deceleration.Meralgia ParestheticaMeralgia paresthetica is irritation of the lateral femoral cutaneous nerve, causing numbness, burning, or tingling along the outer thigh without true leg-muscle weakness.
Knee
17 guidesLigament and meniscus injuries, kneecap pain, tendon load, arthritis, and surgical rehab.
Knee PainKnee pain can involve the kneecap, meniscus, ligaments, tendons, joint surfaces, or referred symptoms from the hip and back.Patellofemoral PainPatellofemoral pain is discomfort around or behind the kneecap during squats, stairs, running, jumping, or prolonged sitting.Patellar TendinopathyPatellar tendinopathy is load-related pain in the tendon below the kneecap.ACL Injury RehabilitationThe anterior cruciate ligament helps control forward and rotational knee motion.MCL SprainA medial collateral ligament sprain affects the ligament on the inner knee, often after a force from the outside or a cutting injury.LCL SprainA lateral collateral ligament sprain affects the outside of the knee.PCL InjuryThe posterior cruciate ligament limits backward movement of the shin bone.Meniscus TearThe menisci are cartilage pads that distribute knee load and assist stability.Knee OsteoarthritisKnee osteoarthritis is joint and cartilage change that may produce pain, stiffness, swelling, and reduced walking tolerance.IT Band SyndromeIliotibial band syndrome causes outer-knee pain during repetitive knee bending, most often in runners and cyclists.Pes Anserine BursitisPes anserine pain occurs at the inner upper shin where three tendons attach near a bursa.Patellar InstabilityPatellar instability occurs when the kneecap slips partly or fully out of its groove.Osgood-Schlatter DiseaseOsgood-Schlatter disease is growth-related irritation at the bump below the kneecap where the patellar tendon attaches.Knee Plica SyndromeA knee plica is a fold in the joint lining that can become irritated and painful, usually near the inner kneecap.Baker's CystA Baker's cyst is fluid swelling behind the knee, usually connected to irritation inside the joint.Quadriceps TendinopathyQuadriceps tendinopathy causes load-related pain in the tendon above the kneecap.Total Knee Replacement RehabilitationRehabilitation after total knee replacement restores motion, strength, walking, and daily function while the surgical tissues heal.
Lower leg & calf
7 guidesShin pain, calf strain, training-load injuries, and lower-leg tendon complaints.
Shin SplintsShin splints, or medial tibial stress syndrome, cause exercise-related pain along the inner shin.Calf StrainA calf strain affects the gastrocnemius or soleus muscle during sprinting, jumping, pushing off, or sudden stretch.Lower-Leg Bone Stress InjuryA bone stress injury develops when repeated impact outpaces bone recovery.Chronic Exertional Compartment SyndromeChronic exertional compartment syndrome causes predictable tightness, pain, or nerve symptoms during exercise that ease after stopping.Peroneal Muscle StrainA peroneal muscle strain affects the muscles along the outside of the lower leg that help control the foot and ankle.Recurrent Calf CrampsCalf cramps are sudden involuntary contractions with many possible contributors, including fatigue, training load, hydration, medication, circulation, and nerve issues.Lower-Leg PainLower-leg pain may come from muscle, tendon, bone, nerve, circulation, or referred symptoms.
Foot, heel & ankle
17 guidesSprains, instability, heel and arch pain, tendon overload, and forefoot symptoms.
Ankle PainAnkle pain can involve ligaments, tendons, joints, cartilage, bone, or nerves.Ankle SprainAn ankle sprain stretches or tears ligaments, most often on the outside of the ankle after a roll.Chronic Ankle InstabilityChronic ankle instability is repeated giving way or lack of confidence after one or more sprains.Ankle ImpingementAnkle impingement causes pinching pain at the front or back of the ankle during deep bend or pointed-toe positions.Plantar FasciitisPlantar fasciitis is load-related pain where the plantar fascia meets the heel.Heel PainHeel pain may come from the plantar fascia, fat pad, Achilles insertion, nerve, bone stress, or growth plate.Achilles TendinopathyAchilles tendinopathy is load-related pain in the tendon between the calf and heel.Achilles Rupture RehabilitationAn Achilles rupture is a complete tendon tear managed surgically or nonsurgically.Posterior Tibial Tendon DysfunctionThe posterior tibial tendon supports the arch and controls the foot during walking.Peroneal TendinopathyPeroneal tendinopathy causes pain along tendons behind the outer ankle.Tarsal Tunnel SyndromeTarsal tunnel syndrome is compression or irritation of the tibial nerve near the inner ankle.Turf ToeTurf toe is a sprain of the big-toe joint after the toe is forced upward.MetatarsalgiaMetatarsalgia is pain under the ball of the foot rather than one specific diagnosis.Morton's NeuromaMorton's neuroma is irritation and thickening around a nerve between the forefoot bones, most often between the third and fourth toes.Bunion & Big-Toe Joint PainA bunion is a change in big-toe alignment with prominence at the inner forefoot.Cuboid SyndromeCuboid syndrome describes pain around the outer midfoot associated with irritation of the cuboid region.Flat FeetFlat feet describe a lower arch in standing and may be painless.
Whole-body, sport & recovery
15 guidesOveruse, arthritis, postsurgical recovery, balance, gait, and return-to-sport planning.
Sports InjuriesSports injuries include acute sprains, strains, impact injuries, and gradual overload problems.Overuse InjuriesOveruse injuries develop when repeated load outpaces recovery and adaptation.Repetitive Strain InjuryRepetitive strain injury is an umbrella term for symptoms linked to repeated work, tool, computer, music, or sport tasks.ArthritisArthritis is joint inflammation or degeneration with many possible causes.OsteoarthritisOsteoarthritis is change in joint cartilage, bone, and surrounding tissues that can cause pain and stiffness.Chronic Musculoskeletal PainChronic musculoskeletal pain lasts beyond expected tissue-healing time or recurs over months.Post-Surgical RehabilitationPost-surgical rehabilitation restores motion, strength, coordination, and function while respecting tissue-healing precautions.Return-to-Sport RehabilitationReturn-to-sport rehabilitation bridges the gap between being pain-free in the clinic and handling full practice or competition.Balance ProblemsBalance problems can arise from the inner ear, vision, sensation, strength, medication, neurologic disease, or musculoskeletal pain.Fall PreventionFall prevention combines strength, balance, gait, home and environmental review, vision, footwear, and medical factors.Gait DysfunctionGait dysfunction is a change in walking pattern, speed, symmetry, or safety.Work-Related Musculoskeletal InjuriesWork-related injuries may follow one lifting event or accumulate through repetition, force, vibration, awkward reach, or long static periods.Motor Vehicle Injury RehabilitationMotor vehicle collisions can produce neck, back, shoulder, headache, and concussion symptoms through rapid acceleration and impact.Physical DeconditioningPhysical deconditioning is loss of strength, endurance, mobility, and confidence after illness, injury, surgery, or inactivity.Hypermobility-Related PainHypermobility means joints move beyond typical ranges and may be painless or linked to instability, fatigue, and recurrent injury.
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Portsmouth Clinic
Portsmouth, NH · Seacoast
Mon to Thu: 9:00 AM to 6:00 PMFriday: 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM
(603) 431-4200Lakes Region Clinic
Alton, NH · Lakes Region
Mon, Wed, Fri: 9:00 AM to 7:00 PMTue & Thu: 9:00 AM to 6:30 PMSaturday: 8:00 AM to 12:00 PM
(603) 875-4000