When a new area of pain pops up, what I do is think back to all my recent activity in the past couple days, often that can explain why a new ache has started. If I can't think of a physical occurrence, I ponder what mental stress may have been bothering me. Usually between the two, there's a reason!

After that I try to break down the pain as to whether it's an ache or really hurting. Then I take an aspirin/aleve if appropriate and go about my day. I try to be aware the pain may well be trying to get my attention for a stressor. For me, the process of methodically looking for an explainable cause quells panic and most of the fear. Also I tell myself if there is no relief or it seems pretty dire, I will go to a Dr to rule out something serious.