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Published on: 4/28/2025

Why Does the Whole Left Side of My Body Hurt, and What Are the Treatment Options?

The pain on one whole side of your body could happen because nerves or parts of your brain are sending pain signals from an injury, inflammation, or conditions like fibromyalgia and osteoarthritis. Treatment depends on the cause and can include medications, physical therapy, and sometimes therapies for pain and mental health.

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Explanation

If only one side of your body hurts, it may be due to several reasons. One possibility is that your nerves or brain are involved. Conditions like a stroke in the lateral medullary area can lead to pain and unusual sensations on one side. Fibromyalgia, which sometimes may lead to tendinitis, can also lead to widespread pain that might be felt more on one side. Additionally, conditions such as osteoarthritis in parts of the body (like the knee) can sometimes be connected with whole-body pain or lead to more pain on one side because of how our brain processes pain signals. Your feelings and thoughts about pain might also play a role, as pain catastrophizing can influence the overall pain you experience. Treatment options depend on finding the right cause and may include pain-relieving medications, physical therapy to strengthen and support the muscles and joints, and sometimes counseling or pain management programs. If this pain continues or worsens, it is important to see a doctor for a proper evaluation and to discuss which treatments might be best for you.

(References)

  • Dave AJ, Selzer F, Losina E, Klara KM, Collins JE, Usiskin I, Band P, Dalury DF, Iorio R, Kindsfater K, Katz JN. Is there an association between whole-body pain with osteoarthritis-related knee pain, pain catastrophizing, and mental health? Clin Orthop Relat Res. 2015 Dec;473(12):3894-902. doi: 10.1007/s11999-015-4575-4. Epub 2015 Oct 6. PMID: 26443774; PMCID: PMC4626500.

  • Fouché JJ, Van Loghem JAJ, Thuis J, De Heer LM, van Oijen MGH. Left/Right Pain Asymmetry With Injectable Cosmetic Treatments for the Face. Aesthet Surg J. 2017 Jun 1;37(6):708-714. doi: 10.1093/asj/sjw214. PMID: 28333175.

  • Genç H, Saracoğlu M, Duyur B, Erdem HR. The role of tendinitis in fibromyalgia syndrome. Yonsei Med J. 2003 Aug 30;44(4):619-22. doi: 10.3349/ymj.2003.44.4.619. PMID: 12950117.

  • Kim JS. Sensory symptoms in ipsilateral limbs/body due to lateral medullary infarction. Neurology. 2001 Oct 9;57(7):1230-4. doi: 10.1212/wnl.57.7.1230. PMID: 11591841.

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