body
Pain
Adverse effectPain is a body-related adverse outcome: a sensation a person may notice during or after an intervention. It can include momentary pain during a hand-grip task, burning pain, or pain associated with tissue injury.
Pain is presented as a body-related topic for quick, focused reference.
These are research findings, not promises. Most options have little evidence, and results differ from person to person.
What can cause it
How likely each one is to cause it, most likely first.
MassagepracticePossible
Based on 4 studies. Strongest study: a pooled analysis of several trials.
Pooled analyses whose designs were not recorded reported mild discomfort. A separate review also described additional pain after massage therapy.
Open the Massage pageYogapracticePossible
Based on 4 studies. Strongest study: a randomized controlled trial.
Pooled analyses whose designs were not recorded reported transient mild low back pain and pain or discomfort during yoga sessions. The low back pain was described as transient and mild.
Open the Yoga pageMobility TrainingpracticePossible
Based on 4 studies. Strongest study: a randomized controlled trial.
In a randomized trial of 68 participants, a mobility routine lowered pressure pain thresholds in the thoracolumbar fascia by 22.4 N on the left and 24 N on the right, indicating greater pressure sensitivity in that measure.
Open the Mobility Training pageHeating Pads / Warm CompressespracticePossible
Based on 3 studies. Strongest study: a randomized controlled trial.
In a randomized trial involving 292 people, local pain at the lesion area was reported in the thermotherapy group. A separate randomized trial involving 200 people with dry eye syndrome reported eye or eyelid discomfort or pain.
Open the Heating Pads / Warm Compresses pageBreathworkpracticePossible
Based on 2 studies. Strongest study: a randomized controlled trial.
A 2022 review described chest and back pain among other reported symptoms. In a 2026 trial of 42 people, participants also reported discomfort such as an uncomfortably long exhalation or stressful breathing without breathlessness.
Open the Breathwork pageEar CandlingpracticePossible
Based on 3 studies. Strongest study: a one-time survey study.
A 2022 cross-sectional study of 80 people reported ear pain associated with Ear Candling.
Open the Ear Candling pageAcupuncturepracticeUnclear
Based on 25 studies. Strongest study: a pooled analysis of several trials.
A systematic review of randomized trials reported discomfort from the acupuncture sensation, while a pooled analysis of randomized trials reported temporary pain worsening, local soreness, or a feeling of distension.
Open the Acupuncture pageRed Light Therapy (Photobiomodulation)practiceUnclear
Based on 11 studies. Strongest study: a pooled analysis of several trials.
A pooled analysis of randomized trials reported ocular pain, while a 2024 pooled analysis of randomized and non-randomized human studies reported nasal pain. These findings came from studies involving several different conditions, including age-related macular degeneration, allergic rhinitis, cancer, leukemia, lymphoma, and myopia progression.
Open the Red Light Therapy (Photobiomodulation) page
The expert view shows every study, dose protocol and source.
What can cause it
Interventions reported to bring this on51 listedHighest probability
- →PracticesMassageCertaintyMediumSourceClinical4 other sources
Pooled analyses whose designs were not recorded reported mild discomfort. A separate review also described additional pain after massage therapy.
- →PracticesYogaCertaintyMediumSourceClinical4 other sources
Pooled analyses whose designs were not recorded reported transient mild low back pain and pain or discomfort during yoga sessions. The low back pain was described as transient and mild.
Who was studied
- People with a condition
- Back Pain
- Carpal Tunnel
- Frozen Shoulder
- Herniated Disc
- Neck Pain
- Rheumatoid Arthritis
- +1 more
Open YogaStudy result
Transient mild low back pain
- →PracticesMobility TrainingCertaintyMediumSourceClinical4 other sources
In a randomized trial of 68 participants, a mobility routine lowered pressure pain thresholds in the thoracolumbar fascia by 22.4 N on the left and 24 N on the right, indicating greater pressure sensitivity in that measure.
Who was studied
- Healthy people and patients
- Breast Cancer
- Neuropathy Diabetic
Open Mobility TrainingStudy result
The implementation of the Mobility Routine yielded a significant enhancement in pressure sensitivity within the TLF (thoracolumbar fascia). The pressure pain threshold decreased. ... TLF L: -22.4 N, p=0.002; TLF R: -24 N, p=0.001.
- →PracticesHeating Pads / Warm CompressesCertaintyMediumSourceClinical3 other sources
In a randomized trial involving 292 people, local pain at the lesion area was reported in the thermotherapy group. A separate randomized trial involving 200 people with dry eye syndrome reported eye or eyelid discomfort or pain.
Who was studied
- People with a condition
- Dry Eye Syndrome
Open Heating Pads / Warm CompressesStudy result
Local pain at the lesion area (thermotherapy group)
- →PracticesBreathworkCertaintyMediumSourceClinical2 other sources
A 2022 review described chest and back pain among other reported symptoms. In a 2026 trial of 42 people, participants also reported discomfort such as an uncomfortably long exhalation or stressful breathing without breathlessness.
Who was studied
- Healthy people and patients
Open BreathworkStudy result
Chest tightness, weakness, cough, reduced muscle strength, sputum discharge, dizziness, chest and back pain
- →PracticesEar CandlingCertaintyMediumSourceClinical3 other sources
A 2022 cross-sectional study of 80 people reported ear pain associated with Ear Candling.
Low probability(45)
- →PracticesAcupunctureCertaintyLowSourceClinical25 other sources
A systematic review of randomized trials reported discomfort from the acupuncture sensation, while a pooled analysis of randomized trials reported temporary pain worsening, local soreness, or a feeling of distension.
Who was studied
- People with a condition
- Allergic Rhinitis
- Ankylosing Spondylitis
- Anxiety Disorder
- Back Pain
- Breast Cancer
- Cancer
- +12 more
Open AcupunctureStudy result
Discomfort with acupuncture sensation
- →PracticesRed Light Therapy (Photobiomodulation)CertaintyLowSourceClinical11 other sources
A pooled analysis of randomized trials reported ocular pain, while a 2024 pooled analysis of randomized and non-randomized human studies reported nasal pain. These findings came from studies involving several different conditions, including age-related macular degeneration, allergic rhinitis, cancer, leukemia, lymphoma, and myopia progression.
Who was studied
- Healthy people and patients
- Age Related Macular Degeneration
- Allergic Rhinitis
- Cancer
- Leukemia
- Lymphoma
- Myopia Progression
Open Red Light Therapy (Photobiomodulation)Study result
Ocular pain
- →PracticesTai ChiCertaintyLowSourceClinical9 other sources
A pooled analysis of randomized trials reported worsening low back pain or related pain. A 2025 pooled analysis whose designs were not recorded reported a temporary increase in knee pain during initial Tai Chi sessions.
Who was studied
- People with a condition
- Back Pain
- Fibromyalgia
- Osteoarthritis
Open Tai ChiStudy result
Exacerbation of low back pain / LBP-related pain
- →PracticesTENS / EMS TherapyCertaintyLowSourceClinical9 other sources
A 2018 pooled analysis whose study designs were not recorded noted facial pain, while a 2022 pooled analysis noted discomfort with TENS.
Who was studied
- People with a condition
- Cancer
- Fibromyalgia
- Migraine
- Neuropathy Peripheral
Open TENS / EMS TherapyStudy result
Facial pain
- →PracticesNasal Irrigation (Neti Pot)CertaintyLowSourceClinical10 other sources
Reviews pooling randomized and non-randomized human studies reported nasal pain and ear pain in people with conditions including allergies, the common cold, COVID-19 and sinusitis. The findings identify these symptoms but do not quantify how often they occurred.
Who was studied
- People with a condition
- Allergies
- Common Cold
- Covid 19
- Sinusitis
Open Nasal Irrigation (Neti Pot)Study result
Nasal pain
- →PracticesHatha YogaCertaintyLowSourceClinical6 other sources
A meta-analysis pooling randomized trials found increased back pain with Yoga; a 2022 systematic review of randomized trials also reported increased back pain.
Who was studied
- Healthy people and patients
- Colon Cancer
Open Hatha YogaStudy result
increased back pain
- →PracticesOzone TherapyCertaintyLowSourceClinical6 other sources
A pooled analysis of randomized trials in 2026 reported transient pain or localized warmth at the injection site. A 2022 analysis of randomized and non-randomized human studies also reported injection-site pain.
Who was studied
- People with a condition
- Covid 19
- Osteoarthritis
Open Ozone TherapyStudy result
Transient pain or localized warmth at injection site
- →PracticesCupping TherapyCertaintyLowSourceClinical5 other sources
A pooled analysis of randomized trials reported pain at cupping sites. Another pooled analysis of randomized trials in 2024 also recorded pain, without further details on its location or nature.
- →PracticesStrength TrainingCertaintyLowSourceClinical5 other sources
A 2025 meta-analysis with pooled study designs not recorded described mechanical discomfort from cuff compression directly stimulating skin and nerve endings, as well as pain exacerbation related to LL-BFRT.
Who was studied
- People with a condition
- Osteoarthritis
Open Strength TrainingStudy result
Mechanical discomfort from cuff compression directly stimulating skin and nerve endings
- →PracticesHigh-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT)CertaintyLowSourceClinical3 other sources
Pooled human studies reported general pain or soreness, and a separate review found pain and soreness among events occurring across training arms. The studies involved people with leukemia or stroke.
Who was studied
- People with a condition
- Leukemia
- Stroke
Open High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT)Study result
General pain/soreness
- →PracticesIce Bath / Cold PlungeCertaintyLowSourceClinical5 other sources
In a randomized trial of 29 people, immersion at 8 °C caused cold-related discomfort. Another randomized trial of 8 people reported pain or discomfort during the first minutes of immersion.
Who was studied
- Healthy people and patients
Open Ice Bath / Cold PlungeStudy result
Cold-induced discomfort / disagreeable sensation during 8 °C immersion
- →PracticesHot YogaCertaintyLowSourceClinical3 other sources
A 2019 trial reported exercise-triggered persistent pain; a 2017 trial reported worsening of pre-existing back, foot, knee, or calf pain, as well as psychological discomfort.
Who was studied
- Healthy people and patients
Open Hot YogaStudy result
Exercise triggering persistent pain
- →PracticesFoam RollingCertaintyLowSourceClinical3 other sources
A 2024 trial recorded pain during the intervention. In a 2017 cohort, foam rolling immediately reduced PPT in muscle groups on the same and opposite sides of the body among men and women.
- →PracticesSwimmingCertaintyLowSourceClinical2 other sources
A randomized trial involving 113 participants reported low back pain related to the intervention.
Open SwimmingStudy result
Low back pain related to intervention
- →PracticesBrisk WalkingCertaintyLowSourceClinical2 other sources
A 2025 trial involving 110 people with Prostate Cancer reported heel pain, but it does not say how many participants experienced it.
- →PracticesMindfulness MeditationCertaintyLowSourceClinical2 other sources
An RCT involving 61 people with a clinical condition reported pain during exercises.
- →PracticesBrain Games / PuzzlesCertaintyLowSourceClinical2 other sources
In healthy participants, a randomized trial involving 31 people reported slight knee and/or back pain during training; a pilot study involving 21 people reported similar pain.
Who was studied
- Healthy people
Open Brain Games / PuzzlesStudy result
Slight pain during training (knee and/or back pain)
- →PracticesCyclingCertaintyLowSourceClinical2 other sources
A randomized trial of 40 healthy people found that perceived low back pain increased after a 3-h cycling session.
Who was studied
- Healthy people
Open CyclingStudy result
Increase in low back pain perception (NPRS) after a 3-h cycling session
- →PracticesInfrared SaunaCertaintyLowSourceClinical2 other sources
A 2025 randomized trial involving 30 people with Major Depressive Disorder recorded stomach pain.
Who was studied
- People with a condition
- Major Depressive Disorder
Open Infrared SaunaStudy result
Stomach pain
- →PracticesBlack SalveCertaintyLowSourceClinical4 other sources
A 2010 case series described intense pain during bloodroot treatment in 2 people, and a 2023 case report described burning pain.
Who was studied
- Healthy people and patients
- Colon Cancer
- Skin Cancer
Open Black SalveStudy result
Intense pain during bloodroot treatment
- →PracticesFocused Attention MeditationCertaintyLowSourceClinical2 other sources
A cross-sectional study involving 342 people with a clinical condition recorded stomach, headache, muscular, and nausea-related pain.
Who was studied
- People with a condition
Open Focused Attention MeditationStudy result
Pain (stomach, headache, muscular, nausea)
- →PracticesCardioCertaintyLowSourceClinical1 other source
A randomized controlled trial involving 120 people reported a temporary worsening of knee pain.
- →PracticesAcceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)CertaintyLowSourceClinical1 other source
A randomized trial found deterioration in pain interference, defined as a >1-point increase on MPI, among 112 participants.
Who was studied
- People with a condition
Open Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)Study result
Deterioration in pain interference (>1-point increase on MPI)
- →PracticesThai MassageCertaintyLowSourceClinical2 other sources
A 2023 pilot study involving 33 participants reported an uncomfortable feeling immediately after treatment.
Who was studied
- People with a condition
Open Thai MassageStudy result
Uncomfortable feeling immediately after treatment
- →PracticesLatin Dance FitnessCertaintyLowSourceClinical1 other source
A case report described pain beginning after 2 h of intensive Zumba in one healthy person.
Who was studied
- Healthy people
Open Latin Dance FitnessStudy result
The pain started after 2 h of intensive Zumba workout.
- →PracticesCoffee EnemaCertaintyLowSourceReference knowledge1 other source
Anal, rectal, or abdominal pain may result from insertion, cramping, mucosal irritation, or burns from excessively hot liquid.
Open Coffee EnemaStudy result
Rectal insertion, thermal injury from excessively hot liquid, mucosal irritation, or cramping may cause anal, rectal, or abdominal pain.
- →PracticesIndoor RowingCertaintyLowSourceAnecdotal2 other sources
During repetitive rowing, poor technique, excessive volume, or inadequate recovery can cause low-back pain. People mentioned this effect in 7 of 268 community reports discussing it (Reddit 5, Bluesky 2).
Open Indoor RowingStudy result
Poor technique, excessive volume, or inadequate recovery can cause low-back pain during repetitive rowing.
- →PracticesBedtime Wind-Down RitualCertaintyLowSourceAnecdotal1 other source
This effect was mentioned in 3 of 288 Reddit reports discussing it.
- →PracticesBinaural BeatsCertaintyLowSourceAnecdotal1 other source
This effect was mentioned in 5 of 313 Reddit reports discussing it.
- →PracticesCalisthenicsCertaintyLowSourceAnecdotal1 other source
This effect was mentioned in 3 of 225 Reddit reports discussing it.
- →PracticesDanceCertaintyLowSourceAnecdotal1 other source
This effect was mentioned in 2 of 107 Reddit reports discussing it.
- →PracticesFastingCertaintyLowSourceAnecdotal1 other source
This effect was mentioned in 7 of 425 Reddit reports discussing it.
- →PracticesFinnish SaunaCertaintyLowSourceAnecdotal1 other source
This effect was mentioned in 3 of 192 Reddit reports discussing it.
- →PracticesHot BathCertaintyLowSourceAnecdotal1 other source
This effect was mentioned in 5 of 232 Reddit reports discussing it.
- →PracticesIV Vitamin DripCertaintyLowSourceAnecdotal1 other source
Pain or discomfort at the injection site is common.
- →PracticesJump Rope TrainingCertaintyLowSourceAnecdotal1 other source
This effect was mentioned in 7 of 213 Reddit reports discussing it.
- →PracticesLoving-Kindness Meditation (Metta)CertaintyLowSourceAnecdotal1 other source
This effect was mentioned in 7 of 273 community reports discussing it (Reddit 4, Bluesky 3).
- →PracticesMeditationCertaintyLowSourceAnecdotal1 other source
This effect was mentioned in 2 of 322 Reddit reports discussing it.
- →PracticesQigongCertaintyLowSourceAnecdotal1 other source
This effect was mentioned in 8 of 250 Reddit reports discussing it.
- →PracticesSwedish (Classic) MassageCertaintyLowSourceAnecdotal1 other source
This effect was mentioned in 25 of 243 community reports discussing it (Reddit 23, YouTube 2).
- →PracticesTranscendental MeditationCertaintyLowSourceAnecdotal1 other source
This effect was mentioned in 3 of 254 Reddit reports discussing it.
- →PracticesVinyasa YogaCertaintyLowSourceAnecdotal1 other source
This effect was mentioned in 7 of 312 Reddit reports discussing it.
- →PracticesWim Hof Method BreathingCertaintyLowSourceAnecdotal1 other source
This effect was mentioned in 5 of 315 Reddit reports discussing it.
- →PracticesYoga NidraCertaintyLowSourceAnecdotal1 other source
This effect was mentioned in 3 of 298 Reddit reports discussing it.
How to read the evidence
Evidence tier — overall strength of the evidence for the whole compound
- StrongWell established — backed by strong, consistent human research.
- ModerateSome genuine support, but mostly from small or lower-quality studies. Promising, not proven.
- PreliminaryEarly-stage evidence — a promising hypothesis, not an established effect yet.
- LimitedVery limited evidence — treat this as a hypothesis, not proof.
- InsufficientNot enough good evidence to draw conclusions yet.
Certainty — how sure we can be that the effect is real
- Very highVery sure — strong, consistent evidence
- HighFairly sure — consistent evidence from good studies
- MediumModerately sure — new studies could change this
- LowNot sure — little or mixed evidence
- Very lowVery unsure — almost no usable evidence
Source — where the data comes from
- Meta-analysisPooled analysis of many trials — the strongest evidence
- RCTRandomized controlled trial — a strong human study design
- ClinicalA human clinical study
- Reference knowledgeFrom general health-science or pharmacology references, not a study of this exact claim
- Animal researchStudied in animals, not humans
- Community reportsAggregated user reports — anecdotal signal, not evidence
- TheoreticalMechanism-based reasoning, not yet tested
Study grade — quality of each underlying study (A best, D weakest)
- AHigh-quality — strong, consistent human trials
- BGood — solid evidence with some limitations
- CModerate — limited, small, or mixed-quality studies
- DWeak — preliminary, indirect, or animal-only
Confidence — how strongly the sources back a finding
A 0–100 score from study quality and agreement
Most supplement evidence is graded C–D. Read it as preliminary signal, not proof.
Full write-up
What is it
Pain is a body-related adverse outcome: a sensation a person may notice during or after an intervention. It can include momentary pain during a hand-grip task, burning pain, or pain associated with tissue injury. In this context, pain is an outcome being tracked, not a treatment goal. Examples include pain linked with Black Salve and Ear Candling, while Yoga is also associated with pain in a clinical-condition context.
How interventions help
The interventions grouped with Pain do not describe one shared pain-relief pathway. Instead, they span movement practices, electrical therapy, oral products, injections, and procedures, with findings that range from general pain to abdominal, physical, or momentary pain. Some reports describe pain as an outcome of how an intervention is delivered, including tissue irritation, burns, cramping, or discomfort at an injection or venipuncture site. This makes the route and circumstances of use important when interpreting the findings.
The administration patterns also differ. Hyaluronic Acid is described as 1-5 weekly injections; amount not reported, while Collagen is described at 1.5-3 mL/joint. Other interventions are not accompanied by a dose, duration, or time-to-onset in the available description. As a result, these findings do not establish how quickly pain appears, how long it lasts, or whether it continues after stopping.
The evidence also does not apply uniformly across people or outcomes. Some interventions were studied in people with a clinical condition, whereas others were studied in unspecified populations. The reported outcomes should therefore be read as intervention-specific observations rather than a general expectation that every intervention affects pain in the same way.
Choosing guidance
This page describes pain reported or observed in connection with the listed options; it does not mean that an option is intended to relieve pain. The type of pain matters when comparing choices. Across the entries, pain may be associated with movement or exercise, abdominal or digestive exposure, musculoskeletal symptoms, injection or application sites, or tissue injury from a procedure. These categories are not interchangeable, so a finding about abdominal pain should not be used to predict injection-site or joint pain.
Timing and exposure context also matter. Pain linked to burns, insertion, injections, or local application may appear during or soon after the intervention, while pain associated with an oral product or an activity may be harder to connect to a particular exposure without clear information about when it began and how long it continued. The available entries do not consistently establish duration, persistence, or a dose-related pattern, so those factors should not be inferred from the probability label alone.
For readers prioritizing evidence from people with a defined health condition, Yoga, TENS / EMS Therapy, and Tai Chi are presented in that kind of clinical context. Many other options were studied in populations whose health status was not specified, which makes direct application to a particular person less certain. Anecdotal reports and pharmacology references can help identify possible patterns or plausible circumstances, but they do not establish how often pain occurs or whether one option is preferable.
Options involving tissue injury, heat, insertion, or injection deserve particular attention to route and immediate tolerability. For any comparison, weigh whether the reported pain resembles the symptom of concern, whether the evidence comes from a relevant population, and whether findings are consistent across studies rather than relying on the label alone.