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Muscle pain is a common symptom of COVID-19, also known as coronavirus disease 2019, and long COVID. Muscle aches can be felt all over the body and are often among the first symptoms of COVID-19, sometimes even before respiratory symptoms. The pain typically resolves within about two weeks, but in some cases, it may linger for weeks or months after the initial illness.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Frequency | Muscle aches are a common symptom of COVID-19 and long COVID. |
| Affected Body Parts | Legs, neck, head, chest, shoulders, back, hips, knees, wrists, ankles, etc. |
| Causes | Body-wide inflammation, muscle tissue damage, lack of blood flow to the tissues, physical stress, electrolyte imbalance, etc. |
| Treatment | Pain relievers, stretching, RICE method, hydration, rest, fever-reducing medicine, etc. |
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What You'll Learn
Muscle pain is a common COVID-19 symptom
Muscle pain is a common symptom of COVID-19. The medical term for muscle pain is myalgia. In one study, people with COVID-19 most commonly felt muscle pain in their legs, neck, and head. However, the type and degree of muscle pain associated with COVID-19 can vary greatly from person to person. Some people may experience mild tenderness, while others may be bedridden due to the pain. According to some estimates, about 86% of people diagnosed with COVID-19 experience muscle pain.
COVID-19 can trigger body-wide inflammation, which can lead to muscle aches and pains. When the immune system detects the virus, it releases proteins called cytokines, which can trigger inflammation. Additionally, there is some research that suggests the virus may also damage muscle tissue directly by attaching itself to muscle cells, resulting in muscle pain.
People with long COVID often experience muscle pain, which can last for weeks or even months after the initial infection. Ischemic myalgia, or muscle pain due to a lack of blood flow to the tissues, is a common cause of muscle pain in people with long COVID. Muscle weakness is another symptom that may appear in people with COVID-19, and it can be indicated by low grip strength.
There are several ways to treat COVID-19-related muscle pain at home. Pain relievers, such as Tylenol (acetaminophen) or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like ibuprofen, may help reduce pain. The RICE method, which involves rest, ice, compression, and elevation, can also be effective. Applying heat to the affected muscles and gentle stretches may also provide relief. If muscle pain persists for more than a couple of weeks, it is important to consult a healthcare provider.
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COVID-19 muscle aches can last for weeks or months
Muscle pain is a common symptom of COVID-19. It can affect the entire body, but people with COVID-19 most commonly experience muscle pain in their legs, neck, and head. The pain typically resolves within about two weeks. However, in some cases, muscle aches can persist for weeks or months after the initial infection, as part of long COVID.
Long COVID is defined by the CDC as symptoms lasting for three months or longer after the initial illness. Muscle aches are among the dozen-plus symptoms identified by the CDC as being part of long COVID. The muscle pain experienced by people with long COVID is known as ischemic myalgia, or muscle pain from a lack of blood flow to the tissues. It is estimated that about 86% of people diagnosed with COVID-19 experience muscle pain.
The type and degree of muscle pain associated with COVID-19 can vary greatly from person to person. Some people may only experience mild tenderness, while others may be bedridden due to the pain. In one study of people sick enough to be hospitalized for COVID-19, 68% reported experiencing muscle pain.
If you are experiencing muscle aches that last for more than a couple of weeks, it is important to consult a healthcare provider. Treatment for COVID-19 muscle aches can be managed at home with self-care strategies such as pain relievers, stretching, and the RICE method (rest, ice, compression, and elevation). However, if the pain persists, it may be helpful to see a physical therapist.
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Muscle pain can be treated at home
Muscle pain, or myalgia, is a common symptom of COVID-19, and it can be effectively treated at home. The type and degree of muscle pain associated with COVID-19 vary from person to person. It can range from mild tenderness to debilitating pain that makes movement difficult. While the exact mechanisms are not fully understood, muscle pain may be caused by inflammation triggered by the body's immune response to the virus, or by the virus directly damaging muscle tissue.
Rest
Giving your body adequate rest is crucial when experiencing muscle pain. Avoid strenuous activities and allow your muscles time to recover. This is especially important if your muscle pain is due to overexertion or exercise.
Ice and Heat Therapy
Applying ice packs or cold therapy can help reduce inflammation and provide relief for acute, throbbing pain. After the initial icing period, switch to heat therapy, such as heat wraps or warm baths, to relax your muscles and improve blood flow.
Compression and Elevation
Compression and elevation are important components of the RICE (Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation) method. Compression helps reduce swelling and provides support to sore muscles, while elevation can reduce inflammation and promote healing.
Gentle Stretching and Exercise
Once your muscles start to feel a bit better, gentle stretching and light exercise, such as walking, can help strengthen and improve flexibility. This is particularly beneficial for muscle pain associated with inactivity or long periods of bed rest.
Massage
Massage therapy can help relieve tension, improve blood flow, and aid in muscle recovery. Self-massage or gentle massages from a partner can provide relief. For more intense pain, consider seeing a professional massage therapist.
Over-the-Counter Pain Relievers
Medications such as acetaminophen (e.g., Tylenol), ibuprofen (e.g., Advil, Motrin), or other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) can help reduce inflammation and provide pain relief. Topical treatments containing ingredients like menthol, capsaicin, or lidocaine can also numb the area and reduce soreness.
It is important to note that while these home treatments can be effective for muscle pain due to mild COVID-19 or other common causes, persistent or severe muscle pain may require medical attention. If your muscle pain does not improve or worsens despite rest and home care, consult a healthcare professional for further evaluation and treatment recommendations.
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Muscle pain is a symptom of long COVID
Muscle pain is a common symptom of COVID-19, and it can persist for those with long COVID. In fact, muscle pain is one of the most common symptoms of long COVID. It can last for weeks, months, or even years after the initial infection clears.
COVID-19 can cause muscle pain due to body-wide inflammation, the virus attacking muscle tissues or muscle cells, or a lack of oxygen getting to the muscles. This muscle pain, known as myalgia, can affect the entire body, but people with COVID-19 most commonly feel muscle pain in their legs, neck, and head.
For those with long COVID, the muscle pain may be caused by tissue damage or blood clotting and circulation issues. Ischemic myalgia, muscle pain caused by a lack of blood flow to the tissues, is also a common cause of muscle pain in those with long COVID.
The type and degree of muscle pain associated with COVID-19 can vary greatly from person to person. Some people may experience mild tenderness, while others may be bedridden due to the pain.
There are various treatments available to help manage muscle pain caused by COVID-19 and long COVID. These include over-the-counter pain medication, the RICE method, gentle stretches, and massage. In some cases, physical therapy may be required to help rebuild muscle tissue and improve circulation.
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![Symptoms [Blu-ray]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/81dVcRHlENL._AC_UY218_.jpg)
Muscle pain can be caused by inflammation
Muscle pain, or myalgia, is a common symptom of COVID-19. The SARS-CoV-2 virus that causes COVID-19 can trigger body-wide inflammation, which leads to muscle and joint aches. In addition, the virus may directly damage muscle tissue by attaching itself to muscle cells. This inflammation and muscle pain typically resolve within about two weeks. However, some people with long COVID may experience muscle pain for weeks or months after their initial infection.
Inflammation is a complex immune response that involves the release of various chemicals, including cytokines. Cytokines are signalling molecules that play a crucial role in the body's inflammatory process. Certain cytokines, such as interleukin-6 (IL-6), interleukin-1 (IL-1), and tumour necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), are known to trigger inflammation. When the body detects an infection, such as COVID-19, it releases these cytokines, which can lead to widespread inflammation and subsequent muscle pain.
Myositis is a rare disease that occurs when the immune system mistakenly attacks the body's own muscles, causing chronic inflammation and muscle pain. This inflammation can come and go over time, and there is currently no cure for myositis. Treatment options, such as steroids and immunosuppressants, aim to reduce inflammation and manage symptoms.
In addition to inflammation, muscle pain can also be caused by muscle stress, overuse, or traumatic injuries. Localized muscle pain is typically related to specific events or injuries, while diffuse, all-over body aches are more indicative of a systemic issue, such as an infection or disease.
To alleviate muscle pain caused by inflammation, several treatment options are available. These include:
- Over-the-counter pain relievers, such as Tylenol (acetaminophen) or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like ibuprofen, can help reduce inflammation and manage pain.
- Cold therapy, such as ice packs or cold baths, can reduce inflammation and provide relief for recent injuries or acute pain.
- Heat therapy, such as heat wraps or warm baths, can relax muscles, improve blood flow, and provide relief for older injuries or general tension.
- Stretching and gentle exercises can help reduce muscle stiffness and improve flexibility.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, muscle aches are a common symptom of COVID-19.
Muscle aches in COVID-19 patients can be caused by body-wide inflammation triggered by the virus. Some research also suggests that the virus may directly damage muscle tissue by attaching itself to muscle cells.
Muscle aches caused by COVID-19 can be relieved by using pain relievers, such as Tylenol (acetaminophen) or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like Advil (ibuprofen). Other methods to relieve muscle aches include stretching, gentle massages, and gentle exercises such as walking.
Muscle aches caused by COVID-19 typically resolve within about two weeks. However, people with long COVID may experience muscle pain for weeks or months after their initial infection.
Other symptoms of COVID-19 include a sore throat, a runny or stuffy nose, and joint pain.
