Pain trigger: Flip-flops

Often, the blame for our pain rests on the simple choices we make every day, such as flip-flops and foam-soled sandals. They provide poor arch support, leading to pain in the feet, ankles and knees.

Solution: Wear shoes with arch support. When you know you'll be walking a lot, go for trainers.

Pain trigger: Smart phones

Do you have a phone that lets you text, surf the web and play games? That's a lot of mileage for your thumbs. Doctors have begun seeing arthritis at the base of the thumb in people as young as 30.

Solution: When your thumbs begin to ache, give the texting a rest. If pain continues, use your phone to make an actual call – to seek medical advice. There are effective treatments for arthritis.

Pain trigger: Your wallet

Your wallet can be a real pain in the back and the buttocks, and it can even lead to shooting pains down one leg. Tucked in a back pocket, it may rest directly over one of the buttock muscles, compressing and irritating it day after day and causing a sciatica-like pain. A fat wallet may also put the spine slightly out of alignment, causing muscle tension.

Solution: Remove your wallet before sitting, especially in the car.

Pain trigger: Driving

Many people set their car seats at the wrong angle. If the seat is reclined, you may slouch forward to grip the steering wheel. This pulls your head away from the headrest and can cause neck pain.

Solution: Put your car seat in an upright position that supports your head and lower back. The steering wheel should be within easy reach, so your arms are slightly flexed and relaxed.

Pain trigger: Active video games

Video games that simulate the motions of popular sport can result in real sports injuries. Doctors say overzealous gaming can cause everything from sprains to torn ligaments and broken bones.

Solution: Do some warm-ups before starting an active video game. Make sure you have plenty of space around you, so you won't trip or crash into anything. And don't play for longer than you would a real sport.

Pain trigger: Cheese

Cheese lovers, take note – your favourite food may be the reason for all those headaches. Aged cheese, such as blue cheese, brie, cheddar, feta, mozzarella, parmesan and Swiss, contain a substance called tyramine. This potential headache trigger is also found in some processed meats and drinks.

Solution: Keep a food diary to help spot links between foods and headaches, so you'll know what to avoid.

Pain trigger: Couch potato syndrome

Even down time can be a source of aches and pains. Do you often lie across the sofa with your head turned toward the television? You're setting yourself up for a sore neck – especially if you fall asleep in that position.

Solution: Maintain good posture even when you're relaxing. Sit up straight on your sofa and make sure your TV is not positioned too high.

Pain trigger: Your baby

The simple act of lifting your baby out of the cot each day can lead to de Quervain's tenosynovitis. This is a repetitive stress injury that causes pain and swelling in the wrist and thumb.

Solution: Learn to lift your baby without straining the wrists. Lower the side rails of the cot, place your hands under the back and buttocks and lift with the bigger muscles of your arms.

Pain trigger: Laptop case

If you carry your laptop around like an extra limb, you're likely to strain some part of the body. Handheld laptop cases put stress on the forearm and can actually give you tennis elbow. Bags that you wear over one shoulder can contribute to back and shoulder pain.

Solution: Try a rolling laptop case or consider changing to a lighter model.

Pain trigger: Your hairdo

A tight ponytail may trigger a headache, especially if you're prone to migraines. Some migraine sufferers are more sensitive to sensations that wouldn't bother others, such as a tight hat, headband, bun or braids.

Solution: Wear your hair down and hang up the hat.

Pain trigger: Strong smells

Doctors aren't sure why, but strong smells are another common migraine trigger. This can include obnoxious odours, such as paint and smoke. However, pleasant scents, including perfume and fresh flowers, can also be a problem.

Solution: Identify which smells spark your headaches and try to avoid them.

Pain trigger: Sleep habits

If you wake up sore most mornings, take a good look at your sleep posture. Stomach sleepers may twist their necks to the point of hyperextension. Other people sleep on their sides with one arm overhead. After many hours, this position can strain the shoulder.

Solution: The safest ways to sleep are on your back or on your side with your arms below shoulder level. Side sleepers can place a pillow between the knees to support the lower back.

Pain trigger: Drinks

When it comes to drinks, alcohol is the king of pain. Red wine, whisky, beer and champagne are the drinks blamed most often for a throbbing head.

Solution: Limit your intake of alcohol.

Pain trigger: Skipping meals

Skipping meals causes your blood sugar to dip. In some people, this can trigger a massive headache before you even realise you're hungry.

Solution: Eat nutritious foods regularly throughout the day. Opt for snacks that combine protein and whole grains.

Pain trigger: Lifting with the back

A top source of back pain is lifting the wrong way. A common mistake is curving the back forward to grab an object, then straightening the back as you lift. This forces your back muscles to take the brunt of the burden. Twisting while you lift is another problem.

Solution: To lift properly, bend the knees and hips until you are squatting. Keep the back upright. Grab the object and lift with your leg muscles by straightening your knees and hips.

Pain trigger: Your workstation

If you spend many hours a day at your desk or workstation, give some thought to the setup. A poorly positioned chair can cause you to slouch forward, straining the back and neck. A monitor that's too low or too high will also strain the neck.

Solution: Place your monitor with the top of the screen at eye level. Position your chair so that you are sitting straight with your feet flat on the floor. Use a cushion to support the lower back if needed. Employers have a legal duty to provide a safe workstation under the Display Screen Equipment Regulations.

Pain trigger: Your keyboard

If your job involves a lot of typing, you may be at risk of carpal tunnel syndrome. This is a nerve problem that causes pain, numbness, and tingling in the fingers and hands. The condition is more likely to develop if you keep your wrists bent to access your keyboard.

Solution: Tilt your keyboard so that your hands and wrists remain in line with your forearms while you type. If this doesn't help, try using an ergonomic keyboard.

Pain trigger: Eyestrain

Headaches that are centred behind the eyebrows may be due to eyestrain. Eyestrain may occur when you have uncorrected vision problems, such as short-sightedness, long-sightedness or astigmatism.

Solution: Book an eye test to find out whether you need glasses. If you already wear glasses or contacts, it may be time for a new prescription.

Pain trigger: Warm weather

People have long claimed that changes in the weather can trigger headaches. In particular, when the temperature rises, some people may be more likely to get migraines and other severe headaches.

Solution: Since you can't control the weather, just be aware of which changes bring on your headaches. That way, you can be ready for it.

Pain trigger: Weekend warrior syndrome

You're a weekend warrior if you're sedentary all week but dive into sport and exercise on Saturday and Sunday. The sudden burst of activity catches the muscles unawares, making them vulnerable to strains.

Solution: Start with 5 to 10 minutes of walking or another gentle exercise to warm-up and stretch after your workout. During the week, take a few minutes to train the muscles you'll be using during your weekend activities.

Pain trigger: Shoulder rides

It's classic family fun: A parent walking along with a delighted child enjoying a shoulder ride, but lifting kids overhead is a common source of neck and shoulder pain.

Solution: Instead of lifting your child from the ground, sit on a sofa or bench. Encourage your child to climb carefully onto your shoulders.

Pain trigger: Grinding your teeth

A sore jaw combined with a dull headache could mean you're grinding or clenching your teeth in your sleep. If you're a chronic grinder, pain isn't the only concern. You could end up damaging your teeth, your jaw and even your hearing.

Solution: See your dentist, who can provide a mouth guard that will protect your teeth during sleep.

Pain trigger: Sex

The sex headache is no old wives' tale. Sex can increase blood pressure and muscle tension in the head, causing a pounding headache. Men get them more often than women.  If you’re already prone to headaches, a sex headache will be the same type you usually get.

Solution: These headaches usually respond well to painkillers, but seek medical advice to make sure your headaches aren't a sign of a more serious condition.

Pain trigger: Stress

Stress contributes to a vast array of aches and pains. Many people tighten the back muscles when anxious, leading to chronic back pain. Most tension headaches stem from stress. Stress may play a role in teeth grinding, leading to jaw pain.

Solution: Practise relaxation techniques, such as meditation or yoga.

When to seek medical attention about pain

Seek immediate medical attention if you have:

• Chest pain
• A severe headache and/or stiff neck
• Pain related to an injury
• Pain accompanied by weakness or numbness

Any chronic pain should also be checked by a doctor, especially if it interferes with work, hobbies or sleep.

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