How Common Is It for the Whole Left Side of the Body to Hurt From Head to Toe, and What Might Cause It?

Reviewed by Suo Lee, MD

Internal Medicine

It is quite uncommon for pain to affect the entire one side of the body from head to toe. When it does occur, it may be linked to conditions that either cause widespread pain—like fibromyalgia—or to more localized but referred pain from joints, nerves, or even the brain.

Explanation

Experiencing pain over the whole one side of your body is not typical. Most people with pain tend to have it in specific areas. However, some conditions can lead to a pattern where pain is more noticeable on one side. For instance, fibromyalgia is known for widespread pain that sometimes feels more prominent on one side of the body. Other possible causes include certain neurological disorders or localized joint issues. Some rare headache conditions, such as chronic paroxysmal hemicrania, might create a pattern of pain that extends downward, and joint problems like sacroiliac or pelvic pain might contribute to this one-sided discomfort. It’s also possible that subtle differences in how pain is processed in the brain could lead to the perception of one-sided pain. If you’re experiencing continuous one-sided pain from head to toe, it’s important to consult a healthcare provider. They can review your health history, perform a physical exam, and possibly order imaging or lab tests to determine the cause and help create a treatment plan for you.

(References)

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Bodle J, Emmady PD. Chronic Paroxysmal Hemicrania. 2023 Jun 5. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2025 Jan–. PMID: 32644406.
Cohen SP, Chen Y, Neufeld NJ. Sacroiliac joint pain: a comprehensive review of epidemiology, diagnosis and treatment. Expert Rev Neurother. 2013 Jan;13(1):99-116. doi: 10.1586/ern.12.148. PMID: 23253394.
Sjaastad O, Bakketeig LS. The rare, unilateral headaches. Vågå study of headache epidemiology. J Headache Pain. 2007 Feb;8(1):19-27. doi: 10.1007/s10194-006-0292-4. Epub 2007 Jan 15. PMID: 17221345; PMCID: PMC3476116.
Quaghebeur J, Wyndaele JJ, De Wachter S. Pain areas and mechanosensitivity in patients with chronic pelvic pain syndrome: a controlled clinical investigation. Scand J Urol. 2017 Oct;51(5):414-419. doi: 10.1080/21681805.2017.1339291. Epub 2017 Jul 5. PMID: 28678646.

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