Back, neck and muscle health

A starting point for understanding your symptoms

Stiffness, spasm, cramp and strain are sometimes used interchangeably, although they describe different experiences. These guides explain the terms, help you prepare for a consultation and describe symptoms that require prompt assessment.

Similar symptoms can have different causes in different people. Recognising your experience in an article is not a diagnosis. Day-to-day function, symptom duration and accompanying changes need to be considered together.

All guides in this section

• Sudden lower back stiffness and early care
  An explanation of sudden lower back stiffness, everyday movement, recovery and symptoms that need medical assessment.
• A stiff neck and everyday movement
  Information about neck stiffness, comfortable movement, sleep, work, driving and symptoms that need medical assessment.
• Assessment and MRI for acute low back pain
  When acute low back pain needs urgent assessment, what matters at an appointment and why MRI is not routinely required.
• Muscle spasms, cramps and strains
  Understanding muscle spasms, cramps and strains, why the pattern of symptoms matters and when an assessment may be needed.
• Returning to movement and exercise with back pain
  A practical explanation of daily movement, gradual exercise, monitoring symptoms and seeking physiotherapy support with back pain.
• Back and neck discomfort at a desk
  How screen position, workstation layout, changes of posture and breaks relate to back and neck comfort during desk work.
• Pain from the back into the leg: sciatica and associated symptoms
  Learn how radiating leg pain differs from back stiffness, why numbness and weakness matter, and which symptoms require urgent assessment.
• Pain after a muscle strain: returning to daily life and sport
  Understand pain and swelling after a muscle strain, the early stages of recovery, and why return to sport depends on function as well as time.
• Heat or cold for muscle and joint pain: practical considerations
  Explore when heat or cold may help, how a recent injury differs from stiffness, and the skin precautions that matter during home care.
• Sleeping with back or neck pain: finding a comfortable position
  Practical information on sleeping positions, pillow support and getting moving in the morning, including when persistent night pain needs assessment.
• What to check before combining pain medicines
  Understand duplicate ingredients, medicine interactions and individual risk factors, with a practical list for a discussion with a doctor or pharmacist.
• What is osteoarthritis? Pain, stiffness and everyday movement
  Understand osteoarthritis, its symptoms and assessment, and how suitable exercise, weight management and follow-up support everyday function.