Another factor contributing to the rise in back pain during this time was the shift to working from home. Even those not required to work remotely were more sedentary due to social restrictions and a decrease in outdoor activities, leading to increased back pain.
A study conducted in Malta involving 388 participants found that 30% of individuals reported experiencing chronic back pain before the pandemic, while 49% reported back pain following COVID-19’s onset. Many of these people had never experienced back pain prior to the pandemic.
It’s important to remember that experiencing back pain doesn’t necessarily indicate a COVID-19 infection. Back pain can result from many causes, and if it is accompanied by symptoms like nasal congestion, sneezing, coughing, or fever, the discomfort might be related to other illnesses, such as the flu, which tends to be more common during winter.
Additionally, individuals suffering from pneumonia might experience back pain due to inflammation and infection in the thoracic area. Common back pain symptoms may include shooting or stabbing sensations, pain radiating down the leg, a pins-and-needles feeling, inability to relax, or a constant dull ache.