When you need this

The middle of the body is where everyday aches live. A long day at a desk shows up in your shoulders. Carrying a suitcase up three floors shows up in your lower back. A big dinner, or a big meeting, shows up in your stomach.

People talk about these aches all the time, mostly as small talk. "My back's killing me" at the coffee machine isn't a medical report; it's a way to say "long week." You'll also hear the stomach used for feelings. "Butterflies in my stomach" is nerves before a date or a speech, not a health problem.

The words to be exact with: "wrist" is where your hand meets your arm, "elbow" is the middle joint of your arm, and "lower back" is the part just above your hips, the part that complains after lifting. "Stomachache" is one word, and so is "backache."

Phrases

the area above your hips; common after lifting or sitting

tight muscles, often from stress or a desk

a pain in your stomach

a sharp pain from running

you hurt the joint by bending it too far

you banged your elbow, and it tingles

you can't feel them, often from cold

a blue or purple mark after a hit

a small cut with a knife or paper

a burning feeling in your chest after food

casual: your back suddenly hurt badly and you can't move well

nervous, not sick

from cold, nerves or a hard workout

Say it out loud

Tap a sentence to hear it. Say it after the voice.

Practice · 3 min

Say what's wrong. Situation on the left, one natural line on the right.

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Say it today

Use it once in a real conversation before tomorrow. Out loud counts, even to yourself.