Are there cases of back pain as a sequela of COVID-19?

Reviewed by Yoshinori Abe, MD

Internal Medicine

Back pain, including muscle and spine discomfort, is now recognized as a common lingering after-effect of COVID-19 infection. Many people continue to experience persistent back pain weeks or even months after recovering from the virus, a condition often linked to long COVID.

If you're dealing with ongoing back pain and aren't sure whether it's connected to a past COVID-19 infection or something else, understanding the cause is the critical first step. Taking a free, instant, online symptom check can help you clarify possible causes, learn what to watch for, and confidently plan your next steps—all in just a few minutes, from the comfort of home.

Reviewed for medical accuracy: 07/14/2026

Important Next Steps

Discover likely causes of back pain after COVID Learn if back pain needs urgent care Find out what’s causing your back pain See OTC relief options for back pain Find a doctor for back pain Understand home remedies for back pain Check if back pain could be serious

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Explanation

After contracting COVID-19, most people experience an improvement in symptoms over time. Although many aspects are still unclear, some individuals may suffer from prolonged symptoms or post-COVID syndrome. Among the various reported symptoms, one of the representative symptoms includes muscle and joint pain. Muscle pain in the back or spine may also occur leading to back pain. Post-COVID syndrome refers to persistent symptoms that continue from the time of initial infection beyond recovery from the initial viral symptoms. If symptoms such as back pain do not improve and persist, use our free symptom checker to help identify possible causes and determine when to consult a healthcare provider.

(References)

Papalia GF, Petrucci G, Russo F, Ambrosio L, Vadalà G, Iavicoli S, Papalia R, Denaro V. COVID-19 Pandemic Increases the Impact of Low Back Pain: A Systematic Review and Metanalysis. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2022 Apr 11;19(8):4599. doi: 10.3390/ijerph19084599. PMID: 35457462; PMCID: PMC9027663.
Zis P, Ioannou C, Artemiadis A, Christodoulou K, Kalampokini S, Hadjigeorgiou GM. Prevalence and Determinants of Chronic Pain Post-COVID; Cross-Sectional Study. J Clin Med. 2022 Sep 22;11(19):5569. doi: 10.3390/jcm11195569. PMID: 36233443; PMCID: PMC9573502.

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