How to Relieve Body Aches from the Flu

Medically reviewed by Luba Lee, FNP-BC, MS

Last Updated: July 21, 2022 References

Having the flu is never a pleasant experience. Unfortunately, in addition to the sniffling and congestion, the flu is often accompanied with muscle aches throughout your body. Luckily, these body aches are easily treated. By using oral medications, dietary supplements, and other home remedies, you can reduce your body aches wherever they are.

Method 1

Method 1 of 2:

Using Medications and Supplements to Treat Body Aches

1
Take cold medications with acetaminophen to treat all your symptoms. Cold and flu medicines that contain a pain reliever like acetaminophen will not only relieve your body aches, but will also treat all the other symptoms of your flu, such as fever and headache. Be sure to check the ingredients list and closely follow the dosing instructions on any cold medication you take to avoid accidentally taking too much.^{[1]
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- If you have high blood pressure or problems with your liver or kidneys, ask your doctor to recommend the right cold medication for you.
- You can buy cold and flu medicines that contain acetaminophen at most drugstores and pharmacies.
- Note that in the United States, you have to be 18 years old to buy medicines that contain pseudoephedrine, which is a common ingredient in cold medication.
- Never give cold medicine to a child who's 4-years-old or younger without first getting approval from a doctor. Some medications include ingredients that you shouldn't give to young children, such as ibuprofen.
2
Use over-the-counter pain relievers if you don’t have cold medicine. Acetaminophen and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are the most common types of pain medications used to treat body aches. Note that NSAIDs are sometimes described as being more effective at treating body aches than acetaminophen, although this is not universally agreed upon.^{[2]
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- Examples of NSAIDs you might take for body aches include ibuprofen, aspirin, and naproxen.
- If you can’t take either of these medications due to kidney problems, stomach concerns, or other medical conditions, ask your doctor about alternative options for treating your body aches with medication.
- Don't give aspirin to children or adolescents, as it increases the risk of Reye's Syndrome. This is especially true when the child or teen is recovering from the flu, as viral infections are also a risk factor for Reye's Syndrome.^{[3]
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3
Try taking magnesium supplements to relieve muscle pain. Magnesium plays an important role in the body in maintaining healthy nerve and muscle function. It also supports the immune system, which makes it a very helpful treatment for body aches that come with the flu. Take 500 mg of magnesium in capsule, tablet, or powder form each day to treat aching muscles.^{[4]
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- You can also use magnesium bath salts, such as Epsom salt, or lotions to absorb the magnesium through your skin.
- You can buy magnesium supplements at any pharmacy and most grocery stores that sell dietary supplements.

Method 2

Method 2 of 2:

Treating Body Aches with Home Remedies

1
Get plenty of rest and avoid overexerting yourself. Although you may feel the need to continue going to work or school, the fact is your body needs rest in order to get over the flu. Give yourself time to rest as soon as your symptoms appear and avoid physical exertion as much as possible until your body aches have disappeared.^{[5]
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- Because you’re also contagious when you have the flu, staying home to rest is also very considerate for your workmates and schoolmates.
- If you’re also congested, rest with your head propped up in an elevated position to make it easier for you to breathe.
- While you're resting at home, make sure you wash your hands well and avoid contact with others so you don't spread the flu to them.
2
Drink at least 2.7 to 3.7 litres (91 to 125 fl oz) of water each day. Dehydration is a common side effect of having the flu and is a major cause of subsequent body aches. Women should drink at least 2.7 litres (91 fl oz) of water daily, while men should drink 3.7 litres (130 fl oz). If you can, try to drink even more fluids than you normally would, since you’re more susceptible to becoming dehydrated when you have the flu.^{[6]
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- Try drinking warm liquids, like tea or warm lemon water, to also soothe your throat if it’s sore.
3
Soak in a warm bath for 10-15 minutes to relax your muscles. The heat of the hot water will help soothe your muscle aches and ease tension throughout your body. Use water that is no hotter than 100 °F (38 °C) and avoid staying in the bath for more than 15 minutes.^{[7]
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- Bathing for too long can lead to your skin becoming severely dried out. If your bath goes longer than 15 minutes, apply moisturizer to your skin immediately after you get out.
- Try adding epsom salts to your bath to also absorb magnesium as you soak.
4
Use a damp cloth on your forehead if you have a fever. Regulating your body’s temperature during a flu is a very important but less commonly known way of treating body aches. Put a cool, damp cloth on your forehead to reduce your fever if you have one and keep your body at a healthy temperature.^{[8]
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- Conversely, if you’re shivering and experiencing chills, you may need to use a warm cloth to increase your body temperature and prevent your muscles from seizing up.
5
Consider massaging essential oils into aching areas of your body. Massaging sore muscles is a great way to relieve body aches. Meanwhile, some essential oils also have potent pain-relieving and anti-inflammatory properties, making them great for aches caused by the flu. Dilute the oil with a carrier oil, then use your hands to massage the oil into your body aches.^{[9]
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- Avoid applying the oil to sensitive areas of your body.
- Examples of essential oils with pain-relieving properties include ginger, black pepper, peppermint, wintergreen, birch, eucalyptus, and rosemary.^{[10]
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- These essential oils also stimulate circulation and boost your immune system, which helps your body recover from the flu faster and fighter off additional infections.^{[11]
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Warnings

Visit a doctor for medical attention if your body aches don’t respond to home treatment or persist for longer than 4-7 days.

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Call your doctor immediately if you experience chest pain, difficulty breathing, high fever, wheezing, or agitation, or you begin coughing up blood.^{[13]
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