COVID & Back Pain: How to Get Relief

Key takeaways:

• COVID-19 causes a wide range of symptoms.
• Back pain is a common symptom of viral infection.
• See your doctor if you think you may have COVID-19.

While no longer the worldwide pandemic it was, infection with the virus responsible for COVID-19 continues. Thanks to vaccines and improved therapies, hospitalizations and deaths from COVID-19 are decreasing. Infections are frequently mild to moderate in severity. However, COVID-19 can cause a wide range of symptoms.

The most common symptoms of COVID-19 are cough, nasal congestion, and fever. Other symptoms do occur, however. These include headache, sore throat, diarrhea, loss of taste or smell, and muscle aches. The muscles commonly affected include those in the back and legs.

Can COVID-19 cause back pain?

The virus responsible for COVID-19 triggers a reaction in our immune system. The cells of our immune system release substances to fight off the virus. These substances cause inflammation throughout our bodies.

This inflammation is good as it makes it harder for the virus to live and spread, but it does cause unwanted symptoms. One of the most common symptoms is muscle aches. The muscles in our back and legs are frequently involved in these muscle aches.

Symptoms associated with COVID-19 and back pain

The back pain associated with COVID-19 is usually dull and aching. Some patients notice pain in their legs too. You will likely have other COVID-19 symptoms. These include fatigue, headache, cough, congestion, sore throat, and fever.

How to tell if your back pain is related to COVID-19

If you are experiencing back pain and have tested positive for COVID-19, the two are likely related.

Other conditions that may cause back pain

Back pain has many causes. We will review some of the most common. This list is not meant to be comprehensive.

Mechanical causes of back pain

A mechanical cause of back pain is due to wear and tear of muscles, joints, and bones in our back. This includes muscle strain or sprain, bones and cartilage degeneration in the back, disc herniation, and shifting of the bones around the spinal cord.

Mechanical back pain leads to 90% of back pain complaints. The treatment of mechanical back pain depends on the cause.

Spinal stenosis

Spinal stenosis is caused by spinal canal narrowing. It puts pressure on the nerves that leave the spinal cord.

Symptoms include back pain and leg weakness or numbness. The leg symptoms usually improve with rest. Treatment of spinal stenosis depends on which part of the spinal canal is affected and symptom severity.

Trauma

Back trauma is another common cause of back pain. This can be as mild as a slip and fall at home, or a sports injury. Motor vehicle accidents, assaults, or other related incidents can also lead to back-related trauma.

Traumatic injuries to the back range from a muscle sprain/strain to a fractured spinal cord. Symptoms and treatment will depend on the injury's location and severity.

Infection

Infection near the spinal cord can also cause back pain. Risk factors for this include recent spine surgery or procedure, intravenous drug use, or a suppressed immune system.

Other symptoms often include fever, chills, and redness or pain around the spinal cord.

How to get relief from COVID-19 and back pain at home

There are a few options for back pain from COVID-19 infection. It’s safe to try these at home and see if they work. If there’s no improvement after 48 hours, call your doctor.

Over-the-counter medication

Over-the-counter pain medications like acetaminophen or ibuprofen can be effective treatments for back pain.

Begin with a low dose. You can always increase it if there is no improvement. A safe starting dose for acetaminophen is 325 mg every 6 hours. For ibuprofen, start at 200 mg every 6 hours. Take no more than 2000 mg of acetaminophen in 24 hours. Do not take more than 2400 mg of Ibuprofen in 24 hours, unless directed by a doctor.

If you have a history of stomach ulcers or kidney problems, avoid ibuprofen. Also, if you are caring for a child, do not give them aspirin. Aspirin is not safe for children under the age of 16 unless prescribed by a doctor. Aspirin can lead to a deadly condition known as Reye syndrome.

Stretching

Stretches for lower back pain can be helpful. Stretching prevents strain on the muscles, bones, and joints of your back.

It can also provide relief while you are at home recovering from COVID-19. It is common to lay in bed or sit on the couch while recovering from an illness. It is important to stretch regularly to prevent sprain and strain.

Read our full guide on treating back pain for more.

When you should see a doctor for COVID-19 and back pain

If you have COVID-19, stay at home and rest. Call your doctor to let them know. They may want to see you.

You should see a doctor if:

• Your symptoms don’t improve after 48 hours.
• You are 50 or older.
• You have a chronic health condition like asthma, diabetes, or heart, lung, or kidney disease.

You should go to the emergency room if:

• You have trouble breathing.
• You feel chest pain or pressure.
• You are having trouble staying awake.
• The patient is confused.
• You notice a pale color to your skin or lips.

Questions to ask your doctor about COVID-19 and back pain

• Why is COVID-19 causing back pain?
• Does it mean the infection is more serious?
• How long am I contagious?
• What can I do about this at home?

How a doctor can help treat COVID-19 and back pain

Your doctor may prescribe medication for your COVID-19 infection.

Antiviral medication

There are several options for treatment with antiviral medications. The choice of treatment depends on your age, how long you’ve been sick, and other conditions you have. It is important to let your doctor know if you feel unwell.

They may want you to come in for COVID-19 testing. While this is inconvenient, waiting can prevent you from receiving certain treatments. You also run the risk of your condition worsening.

Frequently asked questions: COVID-19 and back pain

It is normal to have questions about COVID-19. Please ask your doctor any questions until you understand what is happening.

How long can back pain from COVID-19 last?

Usually only for a few days while your body is fighting the infection.

Is back pain a symptom of long COVID-19?

Studies have shown that 5 to 17% of patients with long COVID-19 experience back pain.

What if you’re experiencing upper back pain only while sick with COVID-19?

This may be the result of muscle aches caused by viral infection. Call your doctor if you are unsure. On rare occasions, pneumonia can cause back pain.

Final thoughts

The virus responsible for COVID-19 causes a wide range of symptoms. Some symptoms are due to the body’s response to infection. Rest assured that back pain is quite common. It does not mean your infection is more severe.

General Medicine follows a strict editorial process, including using real experts to write our articles, vetted primary sources, fact-checking, a secondary medical review, and updates as necessary. This article was medically reviewed and fact checked by Dr. Lane Thaut, DO.

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