Your joints connect your bones with each other. They allow you to move freely, and you use them with every move you make. If you put your joints to the test, as happens in heavy exercise, physical labour, or if you are overweight, you could end up with painful joints in any part of your body. After the age of 40, joint pain and stiffness can be unwanted consequences of ageing. In addition, women tend to experience more joint pain in menopause. Rheumatic disorderss, or rheumatism, are catchall terms for a range of conditions connected by symptoms such as joints that ache, feel stiff and rigid, swell up, and potentially even stop functioning. The term covers any muscle or joint conditions not caused by external factors such as accidents. Over 100 different kinds of rheumatism include well-known conditions such as arthritis and arthrosis. Fibromyalgia is another common cause of joint pain, alongside many others.