Whole Body Pain
PAIN CONDITION
Body Pain: Causes, Treatment & Pain Relief
The flu or other viral illnesses usually come to mind when you think of body aches. But whole body chronic pain doesn’t disappear when your symptoms subside. Widespread chronic pain can last months or even years. It can be overwhelming and frustrating, especially if the cause is unclear. Not knowing why you’re hurting all over can be even more disheartening, especially when pain impacts your daily activities, sleep, and overall well-being.
Conditions like fibromyalgia, arthritis, lupus and cancer can cause aches, pain and discomfort in multiple areas of your body. A proper medical evaluation is essential to identify the underlying cause and create a personalized treatment plan. Pain management uses advanced, targeted techniques to relieve pain and reduce inflammation to get you feeling better.
About Body Pain
Whole body pain isn’t a specific condition but rather a symptom that can stem from multiple underlying issues.[1] Unlike localized pain, which affects a particular area, body pain is widespread and persistent, and it can be challenging to pinpoint the cause. Body pain can stem from multiple systems in the body, including the nervous and vascular systems, as well as the joints, muscles, and soft tissues. Conditions affecting the bones, tendons, ligaments, or bursae can contribute to musculoskeletal pain, often involving a combination of these structures.[2]
Chronic conditions like fibromyalgia, autoimmune disorders, or nerve dysfunction can contribute to pain throughout your body, but sometimes the exact cause remains unknown. Constant fatigue, mood changes, headaches, or digestive issues often accompany widespread body pain. Because it can stem from one or more systems, a comprehensive medical evaluation is necessary for an accurate diagnosis and effective treatment. Regardless of the cause, managing whole-body pain requires a personalized approach that goes beyond traditional medical care.
Whole Body Pain Symptoms
If you’re dealing with ongoing, widespread pain, recognizing the signs is the first step toward finding a diagnosis and treatment. Too often, patients are told their pain is “all in their head,” but pain management specialists understand that chronic pain is real. They treat people like you every day—people whose pain directly impacts their lives.
According to the Cleveland Clinic, common symptoms associated with widespread body pain include:
- Aching
- Burning sensations
- Shooting or stinging pain
- Squeezing or pressure
- Stiffness
- Throbbing
- Anxiety
- Fatigue (feeling overly tired most of the time)
- Depression
- Insomnia (trouble sleeping)
- Irritability or mood swings
Depending on what is causing your pain, your symptoms may manifest in different ways than described here. If your body hurts, speaking with your medical provider to find out why is crucial.
All Over Body Pain Causes
Why does your body hurt everywhere? Pain is a natural response to injury or illness, but it should subside once healed. If your pain lingers long after recovery or you can’t pinpoint a cause for your constant discomfort, it may be chronic.
To help you understand why you’re experiencing full-body pain, here are some common causes:
Fibromyalgia [3]
Claudication or vascular pain [3]
Hypothyroidism [3]
Myalgia (muscle pain) [4]
Muscular dystrophy [4]
Viral or bacterial infections (widespread inflammation) [4]
Cancer [4]
Lupus [5]
Rheumatoid arthritis [5]
Medications like statins [3]
Diabetic neuropathy
Nerve pain (peripheral neuropathy or pinched nerves) [5]
Musculoskeletal pain [5]
Psychogenic pain [5]
Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) [3]
Myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME) [3]
Myofascial pain syndrome [3]
Polymyositis [3]
Post-COVID syndrome or long-haul COVID [6]
Multiple sclerosis (MS) [7]
Fluid retention [1]
Vitamin deficiencies like
Vitamin D [8]
Whole Body Pain Management Treatments
You’re here because chronic pain has become a daily struggle, and self-care or conventional medicine hasn’t brought the relief you need. Pain management specialists may recommend a combination approach that includes conventional treatments, advanced pain management technology, alternative therapies, and lifestyle changes. Addressing the underlying cause of your pain while also focusing on targeted relief and symptom management can be more effective than relying on a single treatment alone.
Lifestyle adjustments—such as maintaining a healthy weight, managing stress, and staying active—can significantly improve your overall health, well-being, and pain levels. Alternative therapies like biofeedback, talk therapy, yoga, massage, mindfulness, and meditation can complement medication management and interventional pain treatments.
Since conservative treatments haven’t provided enough relief, pain management offers advanced options that can be combined with physical therapy and complementary therapies to create a holistic, full-body approach to pain relief. The goal is to reduce discomfort, improve mobility, support your mental well-being, and ultimately enhance your quality of life—so you can get back to doing what you love with little to no pain.
Pain control procedures for widespread body pain may include a combination of the following procedures:
Trigger point injections
Corticosteroid injections
Joint injections
Nerve blocks
Epidural steroid injections
Facet joint injections
Costovertebral joint injections
Hyaluronic acid (HA) injections
Peripheral nerve blocks
Celiac plexus block
Prolotherapy
Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy
Stem cell therapy
Radiofrequency ablation (RFA)
Scrambler therapy
Cryotherapy
Stellate ganglion block
Peripheral nerve stimulation (PNS)
Spinal cord stimulation (SCS)
Intrathecal pain pumps
When to Consult a Body Pain Care Specialist
If you’re constantly in pain all over and nothing seems to ease it, it may be time to seek the expertise of a pain management doctor. They will evaluate your symptoms to determine if additional testing is needed before creating a personalized treatment plan.
Chronic whole body pain is complex, but that doesn’t mean you should suffer. Pain specialists can help you explore treatment options and alternative therapies that may benefit you both physically and mentally. Consulting a whole body pain specialist could be the key to regaining control of your life—and your pain.
Disclaimer: This resource provides general information about body pain, associated medical conditions and injuries and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Seek immediate medical attention if you are experiencing a medical emergency. Always consult a doctor for proper evaluation and treatment.
Resources:
- Cadman B. Why Does My Body Aceh? Medical News Today [Internet]. Updated January 10, 2024. Accessed March 27, 2025. Available from: https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/319985
- Villa-Forte A. Musculoskeletal Pain. Merck Manual Consumer Version [Internet]. Revised February 2023. Accessed March 27, 2025. Available from: https://www.merckmanuals.com/home/bone-joint-and-muscle-disorders/symptoms-of-musculoskeletal-disorders/musculoskeletal-pain
- Mayo Clinic Staff. Muscle Pain – Causes & Symptoms. Mayo Clinic [Internet]. Published April 27, 2023. Accessed March 27, 2025. Available from: https://www.mayoclinic.org/symptoms/muscle-pain/basics/causes/sym-20050866
- Myalgia (Muscle Pain). Cleveland Clinic [Internet]. Accessed March 27, 2025. Available from: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/symptoms/myalgia-muscle-pain
- Chronic Pain. Cleveland Clinic [Internet]. Accessed March 27, 2025. Available from: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/4798-chronic-pain
- Brennan D. Why Is My Whole Body Aching? Medicine Net [Internet]. Published February 2, 2022. Accessed March 27, 2025. Available from: https://www.medicinenet.com/body_aches_causes/article.htm
- WebMD Editorial Contributors. What Causes Chronic Pain? WebMD [Internet]. Published October 13, 2024. Accessed March 27, 2025. Available from: https://www.webmd.com/pain-management/cause-chronic-pain
- Shimer-Bowers E, Lawler M. 7 Common Nutrient Deficiencies: Know the Signs. Everyday Health [Internet]. Accessed March 27, 2025. Available from: https://www.everydayhealth.com/hs/guide-to-essential-nutrients/common-nutrient-deficiencies/