Whether we sit around all day, or we work our fingers to the bone, our bodies ache.
Especially when a global pandemic forces most of us to spend hours and hours sitting around the house, it is important to understand how body aches are triggered and how to remedy them.
Body aches are when parts of your body experience a continuous dull pain. Though body aches vary in intensity and frequency, they are very common. But just because they are common doesn’t mean you have to live with them.
Aching can be caused by several various factors, such as tiredness, stress, a cold, or even a vitamin deficiency.
Below, you will learn about remedies for body aches, as well as when you should seek help.
Causes of Body Aches
So many factors can cause your body to ache.
You might ask, “Does lack of activity make my body ache?” Yes, sitting for a long time, working for a long time, the flu — a lot of triggers can make your body ache:
Read Next: Can Chiropractic Care Treat Trigeminal Neuralgia?
Remedies for Ongoing Body Aches
There are ways to alleviate the common symptoms of body aches, and there are ways to address the underlying causes. Although we suggest addressing these root causes, you may also want immediate relief from muscle aches and joint pain.
Rest & Relaxation
Rest is a wonderful thing. Your body needs time to repair and recuperate. Putting your legs up and unwinding from a stressful day can prevent or alleviate body aches.
Sleep can take it a step further. Getting a full night’s sleep (seven to eight hours a night) has been linked to less pain throughout the body. If you’re having trouble sleeping, try taking a warm shower or drinking hot tea an hour before bedtime.
Cutting out blue light emissions is one way to get high-quality sleep. Technology like your phone and television emit blue light, which tricks your brain into thinking the sun is still up. Turn off technology an hour before bedtime, so your mind can naturally want to fall asleep.
Stress relief should reduce your anxiety and reduce your risk for body aches — not to mention a lot of other medical conditions. Prolonged stress weakens your immune system and has been linked to a lot of nasty diseases.
Relaxation techniques include:
Fight Dehydration
Drink plenty of fluids. Dehydration can cause headaches and muscle weakness. Prevent these aches by staying hydrated.
Other symptoms of dehydration to look out for include:
Chiropractic Care
Chiropractic care can help you when you’re feeling achy. Chiropractic adjustments have been shown to reduce neck pain and low back pain. Regular visits ensure that your skeletal base is providing balanced support to each segment of your body.
Not only does chiropractic manipulation help cure acute and chronic pain, it has been shown to alleviate headaches and boost your immune system’s communication.
If you live in the greater Denver area, click here to request an appointment at Denver Upper Cervical Chiropractic. For your convenience, we reserve Fridays for out-of-town patients.
Over-the-Counter Medications
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), like ibuprofen or naproxen or aspirin, are known to reduce pain and inflammation. They treat the symptoms and not the causes, but can be an effective way to relieve short-term pain.
However, many avoid overuse of NSAIDs due to their side effects.
Acetaminophen (Tylenol) is another over-the-counter medication you can take for pain relief. For some, acetaminophen is a great way to reduce flu symptoms.
All Natural Pain Relievers
Always consult your healthcare provider before starting any new dietary supplement. Some may interact poorly with synthetic drugs you may be taking.
When It’s Time to Call Your Doctor
“How do I know when a body ache is serious?” You know when a body ache is serious when it is accompanied by warning signs that indicate a dangerous root cause.
Seek immediate medical attention if you experience any of these symptoms alongside body aches:
If your milder symptoms persist for a couple weeks, you will also want to contact your healthcare provider.
Otherwise, body aches are a problem you can take care of at home.
Recovering from Body Aches after COVID-19
Whenever an unprecedented global pandemic forces millions of people to remain at their house, millions of people are going to feel body aches.
According to the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), if you contract COVID-19 (also called the coronavirus) you may experience these coronavirus symptoms:
If you are over 60 years old or have a pre-existing condition, coronavirus can be dangerous. The World Health Organization suggests the following self-care for coronavirus patients:
If you don’t have COVID-19, but are staying at home like millions of others, you’re still at risk of body aches.
When you sit for a long period of time, your muscles get stiff and weak. This causes bad posture, which leads to neck and back pain.
Never fear, there are some easy solutions to preventing body aches while you’re at home.
The most important thing is to not stop moving. Regular motion promotes healthy spine and brain aging. And it prevents you having to visit your doctor as often.
Looking to the Future
This pandemic will pass. But body ache triggers will remain.
Always be careful to maintain good posture, get a good night’s sleep, and don’t get too stressed.
If you want to prevent body aches, chiropractic care is a great way to do that. At Denver Upper Cervical Chiropractic, we empower patients to live ache-free. Click here to learn about becoming a new patient.