What Causes Body Aches?
Body aches are usually a symptom of an underlying medical condition. Though they are usually harmless and not of much concern, it is better to find out their cause before availing treatment. Some common causes of body aches include:
Stress Dehydration Insufficient sleep Pneumonia Arthritisi A common disorder characterized by swollen and tender joints, which can cause pain, reduced movement, and stiffness. Chronic fatigue syndrome Fibromyalgia: A long-term medical condition that causes aches throughout your body. Microbial infections like the flu and the common cold Medications used for treating blood pressure Fluid retention: When your body retains fluid, it can cause your muscles to swell and exert pressure on the nerves, resulting in body aches. Hypokalemia: A medical condition caused due to low potassium in the bloodstream, which causes frequent body aches. Autoimmune disorders like lupusi An inflammatory condition where the immune system attacks the body’s tissues and organs, resulting in fever and fatigue. , myositisi A group of rare conditions where your immune system attacks the muscles, causing weakness, swelling, and pain. , and multiple sclerosisi A chronic disorder in which damage to the protective nerve covering disrupts the communication between the body and brain.
A survey was conducted on noninstitutionalized US citizens to understand the frequency of chronic pain in adults. The survey estimated that 8% of U.S. adults had high-impact chronic pain and 20.4% had chronic pain, especially those with less than a high school education and those living in poverty. Body pains are categorized into certain types. Understanding these types may help you manage them more easily. Scroll down.
Types Of Body Pain
Body pains are of two types based on their duration (1).
Acute Pain
It lasts for a short duration (a few minutes to six months) and is associated with an external cause.
Chronic Pain
It lasts over six months and may persist for years. It is usually associated with health conditions such as cancer, blood circulation issues, diabetes, etc. Body pains based on the location of pain receptors are as follows (1) –
Nociceptive Pain
It is caused by actual or threatened damage to non-neural tissues. It is further divided into somatic pain, which develops in peripheral tissues such as skin, bone, and muscle, and visceral pain, which develops within specific organs.
Neuropathic Pain
It is caused by a disease of the somatosensory nervous system, a part of the sensory system associated with the perception of senses like touch, pain, etc.
14 Natural Ways To Get Rid Of Body Aches
Best Home Remedies To Get Rid Of Body Pains
1. Apple Cider Vinegar
Apple cider vinegar is touted to have anti-inflammatory properties, which relieve pain and inflammation.
1 tablespoon of apple cider vinegar 1 glass of warm water Honey
Do this 1 to 2 times daily.
2. Cold Compress
A cold compress helps in reducing body aches by reducing nerve activity in the affected areas temporarily; unlike the hot compress which increases blood flow. Cold compress has an anesthetizing effect, which provides quick and temporary relief from body pain (2). It is one of the most effective home remedies to get rid of backache. An ice pack Do this three times daily.
3. Ginger
Ginger possesses rich phytochemistry, which gives it many health-promoting benefits like pain relief. It exhibits powerful anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties (3), (4). These properties can help in getting rid of body aches.
1-2 inches of cut ginger 1 cup of water Honey
Consume ginger tea 2-3 times daily.
4. Turmeric
Turmeric is one of the best remedies to treat body aches. It has anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and holistic healing properties that can help fight body aches and boost your overall health and immunity (5), (6).
1 teaspoon of turmeric powder 1 glass of hot milk Honey
Do this at least once daily, preferably before going to bed.
5. Cinnamon
Cinnamon is a spice that is widely used for flavoring various dishes. It has potent anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and healing properties (7), (8). These properties make it a sought-after herbal remedy for treating body aches and improving overall health.
1 teaspoon of powdered cinnamon 1 glass of warm water Honey
Drink this mixture once daily.
6. Cayenne Pepper
Cayenne pepper contains capsaicin, which helps in blocking the sensations of pain (9). It stimulates blood flow and also acts as a natural pain reliever for combating body aches (10).
1 teaspoon of powdered cayenne pepper 1 cup of warm water Honey
Do this 1 to 2 times every day.
7. Rosemary
Rosemary extracts exhibit anti-inflammatory and analgesic activities (11). This can help in combating body pain naturally and effectively
1 teaspoon of rosemary tea 1 cup of hot water Honey
You can have this tea 3 times daily.
8. Mustard Oil
A mustard oil massage is another great way to fight persistent body aches. This oil contains a compound called allyl isothiocyanate, which helps in reducing the pain caused by inflammation in the body making it a suitable alternative medicine for body pain (12). Mustard oil (as required) Do this at least once daily.
9. Banana
In most cases, body and muscle aches are a result of potassium deficiency. You can consume bananas daily to counteract this deficiency and provide your body with instant energy (13). Bananas Make bananas a permanent addition to your daily diet. Consume 3 to 4 bananas daily.
10. Cherries
Cherry juice helps reduce pain induced by inflammation and is thus often used for treating muscle pain as well as peripheral neuropathy, both of which can result in body aches (14), (15), (16). 1 glass of unsweetened cherry juice Consume a glass of unsweetened cherry juice. Drink cherry juice 2 times daily.
11. Essential Oils
a. Lavender Oil
Lavender oil has pain-relieving, analgesic, and anti-inflammatory properties (17). Hence, it can help relieve body ache and the underlying inflammation that may be causing it.
12 drops of lavender oil 30 mL of any carrier oil (coconut or olive oil)
You must do this once daily.
b. Peppermint Oil
Peppermint oil (menthol) has antispasmodici The property that inhibits the contraction of smooth muscles and helps relieve pain and discomfort. , anti-inflammatory, and analgesic properties (18), (19). These relieve muscle spasms and inflammation that usually induce body aches.
12 drops of peppermint oil 30 mL of any carrier oil (coconut or olive oil)
Do this once daily.
12. Epsom Salt
Epsom salt is known for its anti-inflammatory properties that provide relief from sore muscles and body aches (20).
1 cup of Epsom salt Water
Do this once daily or every alternate day.
13. Body Massage
It is best for overall health to spend some time on self-care from time to time. A professional body massage helps in relieving muscle tension, thereby relaxing your muscles. In a study published in the journal Pain Medicine, it was concluded that massage therapy worked in reducing pain compared to no treatment (21).
14. Vitamins
Your body needs various vitamins to function normally. Deficiencies in vitamins B1, D, and E can cause nerve and muscle damage, which, in turn, cause muscle weakness and pain (22), (23), (24). Hence, it is necessary that you include foods rich in these vitamins in your daily diet to steer clear of body aches. You can also take additional herbal supplements for these vitamins, but only after consulting your doctor. Kristina Segarra, a blogger, writes, “I love the rush of serotonin flooding my brain after my exercise. One thing I don’t like is waking up the next morning feeling excruciating pain in my body. The pain can be so uncomfortable and can take many days to go away (i).” She shares natural remedies that have helped her alleviate muscle soreness. They include Epsom salt baths, apple cider vinegar, self-massage, light movement and stretching, and cold applications. Although these remedies help in pain management, we suggest you consult a healthcare provider if the condition doesn’t improve. In addition to using these remedies, you must also make a few changes to your lifestyle as a preventive measure.
Prevention Tips
Get enough rest. Drink plenty of water and other fluids. Have a warm bath daily. Regulate your body temperature by keeping warm or staying cold as and when necessary. Explore stress management techniques like mindfulness, journaling, or spending time in nature. Unmanaged stress can also increase body ache. Identify any triggers that may worsen your pain and take steps to avoid them. This could include certain foods, activities, or environmental factors.
How long does it take for muscle soreness to go away? After an intense exercise, you may feel your muscles tighten or become sore for up to 12 hours. But in some cases, like that of delayed onset muscle soreness, you may experience muscle soreness for 48 to 72 hours. Why does my body hurt when I’m sick? When you are sick, your white blood cells are busy fighting the foreign invasion, thus leaving your muscles and joints aching and sore. What should I eat for body aches? You can consume foods that have anti-inflammatory properties and are rich in omega-3 fatty acids, like garlic and fish, to reduce inflammation and pain (25), (26). What foods make the pain worse? Processed foods, red meat, sugar, caffeine, and refined carbohydrates can worsen inflammation and increase pain (27). Consult your doctor to design the ideal diet for you.
Illustration: Home Remedies For Body Pain And Prevention Tips
Discover how certain foods can help reduce body aches caused by chronic inflammation. Watch the video below to learn which foods to eat to reduce pain and inflammation.
