Can COVID-19 Cause Back Pain?

Muscle and body aches are listed as one of the main COVID-19 symptoms, but back pain is not specifically listed. Research has found that back pain affects people who contract the virus SARS-CoV-2, which causes COVID. A study published in 2022 found that 20% of 828 people reported having low back pain while sick with COVID.

COVID back pain may be a symptom of an active COVID infection, or it can be part of long COVID. Here's what you need to know about back pain, including how to tell if it's related to COVID, how to get relief, and more.

Does COVID-19 Cause Back Pain?

COVID can cause back pain. This is not an uncommon experience when your body fights off any viral infection. You may experience muscle aches and pains with COVID due to your body's natural inflammatory response when a virus invades it.

Musculoskeletal (MSK) pain has been reported as one of the most common symptoms of COVID. A study published in 2022 indicated that MSK symptoms occurred in 36% of cases. MSK is the third-most reported symptom after fever and coughing.

Long COVID and Back Pain

Long COVID refers to COVID-related effects that last beyond or begin after an initial infection has resolved. This condition may result in back pain as joint or muscle pain anywhere in the body.

Long-term effects of COVID mostly occur among people who experience severe symptoms. Long COVID can also persist among people who have mild symptoms or even no symptoms at all.

Research has found that muscle aches are the second most common symptom of long COVID. A study published in 2020 found that 88% of 201 young, low-risk people in the U.K. reported muscle aches four months after their initial COVID symptoms.

A review published in 2022 explored MSK pain symptoms as part of long COVID. The analysis of 35 studies revealed that MSK pain was a common long-term COVID symptom and included back pain. Reports of back pain as part of long COVID reduced as time progressed: People reported having less back pain beyond six months.

How To Tell if Your Back Pain Is Due to COVID-19

It's possible your back pain could be related to COVID if you have other symptoms. COVID sometimes doesn't present with any symptoms. The only way to know for sure is to get tested for COVID.

Other Conditions That Cause Back Pain

If COVID test results are consistently negative, something else might be responsible for your back pain. Back pain could be the result of:

• Back and spine bone infections
• Fibromyalgia
• Inflammatory conditions, like arthritis that affect the spine
• Job-related factors, such as roles that require pushing and pulling or sitting for long periods
• Lack of regular physical activity
• Mechanical or structural problems, like sprains or degenerative disc disease
• Osteoporosis
• Pregnancy
• Stress or anxiety

Home Remedies

Over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, like ibuprofen, may relieve back pain. Applying heat or ice to painful areas may also be helpful. Start with ice and then use heat.

Other home remedies for general back pain may include:

• Adding exercises gradually after speaking with a healthcare provider about the ones that are right for you
• Getting up to move when you've been sitting for a long time
• Limiting how much you carry at a time
• Sleeping on your side or back with a pillow between your knees
• Using back support when traveling long distances and stopping for breaks
• Wearing comfortable shoes with low heels

When To Contact a Healthcare Provider

Contact a healthcare provider if you have severe, persistent, uncomfortable back pain. Let them know if you have a history of previous back pain or if you have back pain after a severe blow or fall.

You'll also want to talk to a healthcare provider for the following related to back pain:

• Burning or blood with urination
• History of cancer
• Incontinence, or loss of control over urine or stool
• Redness or swelling on your back or spine
• Traveling pain in legs below your knees
• Unexplained fever
• Unintentional weight loss
• Weakness or numbness in your lower body, from your pelvis to your legs
• Worsened pain upon lying down or pain that wakes you up during the night

Seek immediate medical care for any of the COVID warning signs, which include:

• Chest pain or pressure that won't go away
• Difficulty staying awake or waking up
• Discolored—blue, pale, or gray—lips, nail beds, or skin
• New confusion
• Trouble breathing

A Quick Review

Back pain is a potential symptom of COVID and long COVID. Other conditions and factors can cause back pain, from sprains and infections to not being active enough.

You can treat back pain with various home remedies like using ice and heat or moving when you've been sitting for a while. Seek medical attention if you have back pain that doesn't go away, worsens, or accompanies other symptoms like fever or if you have COVID warning signs.