Pain is the fifth vital sign of the human body. For a long time, pain has often been ignored by the public, and "bearing pain" has become a daily routine for many people.
Recently, the China Health Promotion Foundation's Health Communication and Promotion Special Fund and all parties jointly released the "Painless China·Core Tips for Common Pain Response (2026)", which focuses on seven types of common pain, including neck, shoulder, lower back pain, tendon sheath strain, osteoarthritis, sports injury, dysmenorrhea, headache, and toothache. Specific suggestions are put forward around scientific response strategies, standardized use of commonly used analgesics, and timing of medical treatment to help the public correctly understand pain and scientifically manage pain.
Shoulder, neck, and back pain are common
Protection, medication, and exercise
Sedentary office workers, long-term physical workers, middle-aged and elderly people, etc. are prone to shoulder, neck, lower back pain. In this regard, the "Tips" recommend maintaining correct posture and taking protective measures, and at the same time performing targeted exercises, such as muscle stretching and relaxation.
In terms of drug treatment, for ordinary soreness, topical ointments (diclofenac diethylamine emulsion, etc.) are preferred, which can directly reach the affected area, provide precise anti-inflammatory analgesia, and rapid penetration. They are especially suitable for the elderly and pain patients with underlying diseases. It should be noted that it is prohibited to use on damaged areas of the skin. If skin redness, swelling and itching appear after use, the use must be stopped immediately; when the pain range is wide, obvious pain or accompanied by redness, swelling and fever, anti-inflammatory analgesics such as ibuprofen can be taken orally. A single dose of 400 mg of ibuprofen per day can reach the upper limit of analgesic effect, and the sustained-release dosage form can achieve 12 hours of long-acting analgesia. If the pain is not relieved, seek medical attention promptly.
Tendon sheath strain is prone to inflammation
Don’t delay anti-inflammation and analgesia
Muscles, ligaments, and tendons are prone to inflammation and pain due to long-term tightness or repeated friction. For example, frequent typing on the keyboard, long-term use of mobile phones, etc. can easily lead to tenosynovitis. Ice packs and cold compresses can be used to reduce inflammation during the acute phase, and hot compresses can be used to promote blood circulation during the remission phase, combined with gentle massage and stretching to prevent adhesions. However, care should be taken to avoid violent pressing and rubbing. Early and mild symptoms are mainly treated with rest and conservative treatment. Diclofenac diethylamine emulsion and other drugs can relieve symptoms; moderate and severe symptoms require drugs or medical intervention. If external drugs are not effective, short-term anti-inflammatory analgesics or surgery and other treatment measures can be taken under the guidance of a doctor.
Osteoarthritis pain relief
Stratified medication compliance
Middle-aged and elderly people, women, people who are overweight or who have suffered joint injuries are more likely to suffer from osteoarthritis.
If you find bone and joint pain, you should seek medical treatment promptly to determine the cause. In terms of treatment, in addition to lifestyle adjustments, pay attention to stratified medication use according to the degree of pain: for mild to moderate pain, anti-inflammatory and analgesic topical drugs such as diclofenac diethylamine emulsion are preferred; for moderate to severe pain, oral ibuprofen sustained-release capsules or acetaminophen tablets can be considered. Note that the two types of drugs cannot be taken together on your own; when pain is not well controlled, relevant prescription drugs can be used under the guidance of a doctor.
Timely treatment of sports injuries
Cold compress, reduce swelling, promote stasis
People who exercise are prone to pain when their muscles, tendons, and ligaments are damaged due to trauma or long-term repetitive movements.
Patients with sports injuries should be treated in stages. In the acute stage (within 72 hours), cold compresses can be applied, and the affected limb can be appropriately compressed and bandaged according to the actual situation, and the affected limb can be elevated to reduce swelling. If the skin is not damaged, diclofenac diethylamine latex can be used externally to reduce swelling and relieve pain. After the acute stage, oral analgesic drugs can be taken under the guidance of professionals to promote blood circulation and remove blood stasis. If severe pain occurs, there may be a risk of fracture, muscle injury, or ligament rupture, and timely medical treatment is required. Do not use topical anti-inflammatory latex when the skin is damaged.
Two types of dysmenorrhea you need to know
Reasonable analgesia and good effect
Dysmenorrhea needs to be determined whether it is primary dysmenorrhea (no clear cause can be found) or secondary dysmenorrhea (caused by other causes).
For primary dysmenorrhea, first adjust your psychology, ensure adequate and regular diet and rest, and apply local hot compress on the lower abdomen; if the pain is still there, you can consider taking oral ibuprofen (such as ibuprofen arginine salt granules, etc., which are warm and quick to take) or naproxen and other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, which can effectively inhibit the prostaglandins that cause pain; those with sensitive gastrointestinal tracts can choose acetaminophen instead; those with severe colic can use antispasmodics as directed by a doctor for relief. Secondary dysmenorrhea requires symptomatic treatment of the primary disease. Blind use of medication may delay diagnosis and treatment of the condition.
Early intervention for complex headaches
If there is any abnormality, seek medical attention quickly
For occasional tension-type headaches, rest and relax first; for migraines and cluster headaches, medication should be prescribed as early as possible for better results.
If the headache recurs or worsens suddenly, or is accompanied by abnormal symptoms such as blurred vision, numbness of the limbs, or new headaches or nausea, seek medical attention immediately to avoid delays in diagnosis and treatment.
Toothache pain relief solution
Be sure to treat the symptoms to the root
When patients with dental caries, pulpitis, apical periodontitis, etc. experience toothache, first wrap ice cubes in a towel and apply cold compresses to the painful area for 10 minutes each time. If the effect is not obvious, adults and children over 12 years old can take ibuprofen sustained-release capsules orally to relieve pain; if it is a bacterial infection, follow the doctor's advice and use anti-inflammatory drugs such as metronidazole. If the pain is not relieved after taking the medicine for 3 consecutive days, you must go to the dental department in time.
Knock on the blackboard
Different types of pain and drug selection
Different dosage forms of pain relievers are suitable for different types of pain. Sustained-release capsules have long-lasting efficacy and are suitable for chronic pain or long-lasting pain management, such as low back joint pain, headaches, etc.; the capsules need to be swallowed whole when taking, and it is strictly forbidden to break or chew them. The granules are easy to take with water, dissolve quickly, and take effect quickly. They are suitable for people who need to quickly respond to acute headaches, toothaches, etc. Liquid dosage forms and chewable tablets are easy to swallow and more convenient to take.
This article/reporter Li Jie
