As the COVID-19 pandemic marches on, it seems that muscle and joint pain are becoming one of, if not the most frequently reported lingering effects of the disease. Back pain in particular seems to lead the charge, followed closely by neck and knee pain.
Experts suggest that the reason that this happens is due to the increase in levels of immune hormones called cytokines during illness. What is less clear is what exactly can and should be done for people who suffer from these after effects, and also how long a person can expect the symptoms to last.
As you might expect, the main recommendation is to try to manage the symptoms via over the counter pain medications like Advil or Tylenol. The unfortunate thing about this is that even with treatment, doctors are seeing these post-viral related symptoms go on for weeks and in some cases months–and taking these types of medications for more than a few days at a time can be problematic for your health.
That being said, there are a few things that you can do to help speed along your recovery. First and foremost you should prioritize your sleep. Get in the habit of getting a solid 7-9 hours per night which will help your body recover more quickly.
You should also try to move and exercise frequently, but try to keep it moderate until you are feeling more like yourself. Pushing your body too hard while it is recovering can prolong the symptoms or even make them worse if you really over do it.
Be mindful of hydration and eating habits. Drink enough water to where you are urinating at least every 6 hours and that the color is pale to dark yellow. Try to avoid foods you know you are sensitive to. If you don’t know what foods you are sensitive to, now might be a good time to get tested.
Speaking of getting tested. If you are suffering from post COVID aches and pains, it might also be a good time to get your vitamin levels checked, particularly Vitamin D. Your body uses a lot of this up when fighting diseases and it needs to be replenished. Get your levels checked to see if you should be supplementing to get them back to normal.
Lastly, come get adjusted! There are studies that indicate that spinal manipulations reduce the levels of inflammatory markers in people who suffer from acute and chronic low back pain. Getting treatment may help you stay a bit more comfortable while your body recovers.
I hope you found this to be helpful. As always, if you have any additional questions or concerns please feel free to reach out.
If you are looking for a chiropractor in Denver, we provide individualized chiropractic treatment plans for your back pain, neck pain, hip pain, shoulder pain, and more! Click this link to go to our scheduling page, or give us a call at (720)263-0594 to schedule an appointment.