What Does Covid-19 Back Pain Feel Like?

Back pain can restrict various daily activities interfering with your quality of life. Although it has been an ongoing issue, more people have reported increased back pain during COVID-19. The pain has been identified as a potential symptom of coronavirus. Continue reading to learn how a COVID-19 infection and back pain are related.

What Causes Back Pain During COVID-19?

Since the COVID-19 outbreak, the number of people complaining of back pain has increased significantly. The pain can directly result from the illness or other COVID-related causes. For example, you may get musculoskeletal pains from a viral infection. Lower back pain occurs due to inflammation in your back or pelvic joint from coronavirus.

When you have COVID-19, you will likely have a cough and other respiratory symptoms. While coughing, you may strain your lower back, causing pain. Consequently, you will feel irritation in your common back joints whenever you cough.

However, having back pain does not mean you have COVID-19. Lower back pain with COVID-19 feels different from regular back pain. You will feel deep intense pain that persists instead of sharp, stabbing pain. However, you should also keep an eye out for other COVID-related symptoms, such as the following.

• Runny nose
• Sore throat
• Shortness of breath
• Headache
• Fatigue
• Sneezing

Other Pandemic-Related Causes of Lower Back Pain

Back spasms during COVID-19 can result from other causes. For example, you may spend plenty of time in bed and be less active when sick. The lack of physical activity exacerbates muscle tension resulting in lower back pain.

In addition, you may not exercise as usual during the COVID-19 quarantine. If you don’t have a suitable chair or desk for working from home, there’s a high chance you will soon develop pain and aches around your lower back, shoulder and arms.

How to Get Rid of Lower Back Pain

Step 1

The first step in getting rid of lower back pain and COVID-19 is determining if the coronavirus causes it. Check whether the pain symptoms are similar to previous back pains. Compare them to pains you may have experienced before. 

For instance, back pain due to COVID is deep, persistent, and not eased by a change in your posture. Also, check if common symptoms of COVID-19 accompany the pain.  

Step 2

Next, get tested for COVID-19 at the hospital or use self-diagnostic tests. Most experts recommend buying lateral flow test boxes since they reduce the risk of spreading the virus. 

You can also buy the Healgen rapid COVID-19 antigen self-test, which has been proven to be one of the fastest and most accurate self-test kits. 

The kits have instructions for use and a quick reference guide. You can easily interpret the results of your test using the instructions provided. The self-test kits are suitable for patients of all ages, including kids. 

Step 3

Once you’ve tested positive, isolate yourself immediately and contact your doctor. They will provide appropriate treatment and help you eliminate back pain. Your doctor may recommend cough syrup or other medication to minimise coughing and reduce the strain on your back. 

You can also ease the pain through gentle exercises at home or walking. Alternatively, you may use resistance bands to alleviate muscle pain. However, do not over-exert yourself or strain your muscles. Ease up if you get out of breath, rest, and then continue afterwards. 

Change your posture regularly when working from home or lying on a sick bed. If doing so does not ease the pain, or you have long-term effects get help from a physiotherapist.

Conclusion

Back spasms during COVID-19 are common. However, you can avoid them or keep them from worsening. One of the methods to avoid back pain is to prevent yourself from getting the virus. Get the COVID-19 vaccine and use masks to avoid contracting the infection. Also, wash your hands frequently or use a hand sanitiser.

Once you notice the symptoms of COVID-19, get a kit such as the Flowflex antigen test and test yourself immediately. This will help you receive prompt treatment and prevent symptoms such as lower back pain.