Body aches are a common symptom that can occur due to stress, anxiety, poor sleep, physical exertion, or infections such as the flu, dengue, or fibromyalgia. They may affect muscles, joints, or the entire body and can range from mild discomfort to intense pain.
In many cases, body aches appear alongside other symptoms, including fever, headache, cough, stiffness, or fatigue. When pain is severe, persistent, or associated with systemic symptoms, it may indicate inflammation or a more serious underlying condition.
Treatment for body aches depends on the cause and may include rest, hydration, lifestyle adjustments, physical therapy, or medications such as pain relievers and anti-inflammatories. Medical evaluation is important when body aches last several days or interfere with daily activities, as proper diagnosis helps guide effective treatment.
What causes body aches?
The most common causes of body aches are:
1. Stress and anxiety
Stress and anxiety can create tension in the body, leading to stiff muscles that cause body aches. Body aches related to stress and anxiety often appear most noticeably in the neck, shoulders, and back.
What to do: It is important to practice relaxation techniques throughout the day to prevent tension and body aches. Take time to rest and engage in relaxing activities that promote wellbeing, like yoga, meditation, walking, or dancing.
Read more about teas for anxiety that you can take to help soothe your nerves naturally.
2. Sleeping in an uncomfortable position
Poor positioning during sleep can overload the joints (especially the spine), resulting in body aches the next day.
Poor sleep quality can cause body aches by hindering joint recovery. It also lowers energy levels, leading to poor body mechanics the next day.
What to do: To prevent body aches, be mindful of your sleep position to avoid overloading the joints over the course of many hours. A comfortable position will also promote better sleep quality.
3. Colds or the flu
Colds and flu commonly cause body aches, often with additional symptoms like overall heaviness, general malaise, runny nose, headache, and fever.
Although these infectious are more common in the winter, they can also occur in the summer. Body aches may feel more intense in the summer, as dehydration from hot weather can heighten pain perception.
What to do: In these cases, it is important to rest, drink at least 1.5 L of water per day, and to maintain a healthy, well-balanced diet. In some cases, a healthcare provider may prescribe medications like acetaminophen and ibuprofen to help relieve symptoms.
Learn about other home remedies for the cold and flu that can help speed up recovery.
4. Physical activity
Exercise can cause body aches, especially in sedentary people who rarely work out. These aches often occur with new routines or more intense sessions than usual. Heavy activity triggers inflammation and releases enzymes or substances that produce mild to moderate pain.
What to do: When body aches occur with exercise, it is important to rest, then continue exercising, so that the muscles can become more conditioned. This will prevent body aches in the future.
Very intense body aches that prevent you from carrying out your activities of daily living may be treated with anti-inflammatories, taken as prescribed by a healthcare provider.
5. Arthritis
Arthritis is characterized by joint inflammation that causes pain, stiffness, and difficulty moving. It can occur in people of all ages, but is most common in adults over 40 years old.
What to do: Treatment for arthritis should be guided by a primary care provider or rheumatologist, and usually involves the use of medications to reduce swelling and other symptoms. Physical therapy may also be prescribed, while more severe cases may require surgery.
Check out the arthritis diet, which consists of eating anti-inflammatory foods.
6. Fibromyalgia
Fibromyalgia is associated with pain at various points throughout the body. This pain tends to be worse in the morning and mainly affects women.
What to do: Consult a rheumatologist if you think you might have fibromyalgia. The doctor will evaluate your symptoms to confirm the diagnosis and recommend appropriate treatment. Management usually includes medications and prescribed exercises guided by a physical therapist.
7. Dengue, zika, and chikungunya
Dengue, zika, and chikungunya are illnesses caused by different viruses that are typically transmitted by bug bites, particularly the Aedes aegypti mosquito. These diseases present with similar symptoms, such as body aches and joint pain.
What to do: If you suspect dengue, zika, or chikungunya, you should see a doctor for assessment and testing. Treatment typically involves rest and adequate hydration.
When to see a doctor
It is important to consult your primary care provider, a rheumatologist, and/or a physical therapist if body aches persist beyond 3 days or occur with other symptoms, such as:
- Persistent fever;
- Intense pain;
- Difficulty moving;
- Nausea;
- Vomiting;
- Fainting;
- Night sweats;
- Weight loss for no apparent reason;
- Difficulty breathing.
After assessing symptoms, the doctor can identify the cause of body aches and prescribe the most suitable treatment.