Bones, joints and muscles – articles and advice
Arthritis
Read features and advice on musculoskeletal health, arthritis, injuries and pain management. For clinical details, visit our Patient Information Leaflets on bones, joints and muscles.
Arthritis
Achy joints? Stiff fingers? Arthritis comes in many forms but help is available. Understand what’s happening and what treatments can help you feel better.
- What it's really like to live with gout
- What foods are good for arthritis?
- What's the difference between osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis?
- What it's like to be a young person with arthritis
- Gout diet: foods to eat and avoid
- The best exercises to try if you have arthritis
- What can you do to help prevent arthritis?
Back and spine
Back pain can stop you in your tracks. Discover what’s behind your discomfort and the steps you can take to ease it and get moving again.
- When should you worry about neck pain?
- Video: Neck pain exercises
- How to treat neck pain triggered by moving your head
- The best ways to relieve neck, back and shoulder pain at home
- How to avoid neck, shoulder and back pain while working from home
Back pain
- Bad posture: how to defeat the 'COVID slump'
- Can a standing desk really help your back pain?
- Video: Back pain exercises
- The best exercises for back pain
- How to get back pain under control
- Everyday activities that can cause back pain
- Back pain: is it stress or an injury?
- How to relieve sciatica pain
Bone problems
From fractures to brittle bones, keeping your skeleton strong is key. Learn about bone conditions, how they happen, and how to protect yourself.
Injuries
Accidents happen. Whether it’s a strain, sprain or fracture, learn how to recognise injuries, manage pain, and promote faster healing.
Joint problems
Painful joints can limit your movement and comfort. Explore what causes joint problems and which treatments or exercises can help restore mobility.
- How to ease joint pain during the menopause
- Can winter weather make joint pain worse?
- Best exercises for your joints
- How to protect your joints as you get older
- How to cope with a frozen shoulder
- Simple methods for joint pain relief
- Are joint pain supplements worth your money?
- Is cracking your joints dangerous?
- Do you need physiotherapy after joint replacement?
- Joint pain - is it bursitis?
- Supermarket shopping for foods to help stiff and painful joints
- Wimbledon serves as a reminder: take your joint pain seriously
Knee pain
Knees take a lot of strain. Find out what causes knee pain, from injuries to arthritis, and the best ways to relieve it and stay active.
Limb weakness and numbness
Weakness or numbness in arms or legs can signal nerve or circulation issues. Learn possible causes and when to seek medical attention.
Muscle problems
Muscle aches, cramps or loss of strength? Discover the common causes and how to ease discomfort and regain your mobility and function.
- How to build muscle mass after weight loss treatment
- Living with fibromyalgia - Jenny's story
- The most likely reasons for your muscle pain
- What is sarcopenia?
- Are creatine supplements effective at building muscle?
- How much protein do you need to build muscle?
- How to build muscle on a vegan diet
- The best resistance band workouts to build muscle
- What it's like to have muscle dysmorphic disorder
- Why is fibromyalgia so misunderstood?
Connective tissue problems
- Tennis elbow treatment options
- What is hypermobility syndrome?
Osteoporosis
Osteoporosis weakens bones silently. Learn who’s at risk, how to diagnose it early, and which lifestyle changes and treatments strengthen your bones.
Sports injuries
Active lifestyle? Sports injuries can slow you down. From sprains to fractures, discover prevention tips, recovery strategies, and when to seek treatment.
- Why head injuries in sport need to be taken more seriously
- Recovering from a sports injury
- When is it safe to return to sport after an injury?
- How a sports injury can affect your mental health
- Beyond the burn: decoding the HYROX hype
- What supplies do you need for a sports first aid kit?
- Which sports are the worst for your health?
- Women's health in sport: injuries, menstruation, and motherhood