“IT HURT A LOT,” SHARED ELLEN DEGENERES. “I HAD NO CLUE THAT COULD HAPPEN.”

Recently, Ellen DeGeneres shared her encounter with COVID-19, drawing attention to an unexpected manifestation: severe back pain. Despite taking precautions, she contracted the infection in December 2020. “What they don’t tell you is that you will have severe back pain,” she disclosed, recounting her personal experience. This particular symptom had not registered with me until conversations with several others highlighted its occurrence.

While the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) initially did not include back pain as a recognized symptom of COVID-19 at the onset of the pandemic, reports of such discomfort increased globally as the virus spread. Factors such as restricted physical activity due to lockdowns and remote work contributed to the rising incidence of back pain.

A study conducted in Malta revealed a noteworthy escalation in the percentage of patients experiencing back pain, rising from 30% to 49% after the commencement of the pandemic. However, it is crucial to note that while back discomfort can be indicative of a COVID-19 infection, it may not always be the primary cause. Various conditions can contribute to backaches, underscoring the importance of examining other symptoms and, if necessary, seeking prompt medical attention.