Does Sleep Deprivation Cause Body Aches?

Sleep deprivation is often linked with body aches, among other effects, such as the numbing of our senses, reduction of our reaction time, etc. This is because sleep allows the body to repair damaged cells and get rid of harmful chemicals in the body. Studies have shown a strong link between sleep and pain. A study found that 53% of patients who suffered from lower back pain also suffered from insomnia. Those suffering from fibromyalgia, a disorder characterized by muscle pain and fatigue, have recorded heightened pain due to sleep deprivation. Researchers think that sleep disturbs pain-sensing neural pathways. There is a phenomenon called central sensitization, where the pain is felt as being much more intense than otherwise. If you step on a Lego block, instead of a mild ‘ouch’, if you suffer from central sensitization, you might yell because you ­perceive the pain to be far worse than it is.