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Published on: 3/5/2025

Why Am I Having Chronic Pain on the Entire Right Side of Body?

Chronic pain on the one side of the body may be due to nerve issues, musculoskeletal problems, or other factors that cause pain to radiate or be referred along one side.

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Explanation

Having pain that covers the entire one side of your body can be very uncomfortable and may come from a few different causes. One possibility is a nerve problem, which can send pain signals along the pathway on one side. For example, conditions like sciatica may irritate nerve roots in the lower back, causing pain that travels down one leg. Musculoskeletal issues, such as joint or muscle imbalances, can also lead to chronic pain on one side. This could happen if you've had an injury or if your body has developed a pattern of movement that puts extra strain on one side. In some cases, internal issues after surgeries or inflammation in a specific area (like shoulder pain following certain abdominal surgeries) might lead to ongoing pain on the right side. Sometimes, the brain and nervous system can also amplify pain in complex ways, making it feel widespread. Because chronic, one-sided pain can have many causes, it's important to work with a healthcare provider who can examine you, run appropriate tests, and help create a treatment plan that may include medications, physical therapy, or other approaches to relieve your pain.

(References)

  • Koes BW, van Tulder MW, Peul WC. Diagnosis and treatment of sciatica. BMJ. 2007 Jun 23;334(7607):1313-7. doi: 10.1136/bmj.39223.428495.BE. PMID: 17585160; PMCID: PMC1895638.

  • Miyoshi H, Nakamura R, Hamada H, Kawamoto M. Shoulder pain after hepatectomy occurs more frequently on the right side: A retrospective observational analysis. Eur J Anaesthesiol. 2015 Oct;32(10):744-5. doi: 10.1097/EJA.0000000000000281. PMID: 26086286.

  • Puntillo F, Giglio M, Paladini A, Perchiazzi G, Viswanath O, Urits I, Sabbà C, Varrassi G, Brienza N. Pathophysiology of musculoskeletal pain: a narrative review. Ther Adv Musculoskelet Dis. 2021 Feb 26;13:1759720X21995067. doi: 10.1177/1759720X21995067. PMID: 33737965; PMCID: PMC7934019.

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