Ellen DeGeneres, known for her long-running talk show, has had quite the journey in recent years. After 19 successful seasons, her show came to an end amidst allegations of a toxic workplace environment. Following that, Ellen chose to step away from the spotlight, redirecting her energy toward her passion for animal conservation. She recently completed The Ellen DeGeneres Campus of the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund in Rwanda, a project close to her heart.

But, in addition to dealing with career changes, Ellen faced a significant health challenge in December 2020 when she contracted COVID-19. While the world was still learning about the virus and its symptoms, Ellen experienced something unexpected: severe back pain.

Ellen took to social media to share her surprise, explaining that she had no idea back pain was a symptom of COVID-19. She mentioned how, after speaking with a few people who also had COVID, she realized that she wasn’t the only one experiencing this painful symptom.

“I had no clue that was a thing,” Ellen remarked. “You hear about the fever, cough, and loss of taste, but no one told me I might have excruciating back pain.” DeGeneres also mentioned that she had followed all the proper precautions when she contracted the virus, but despite her best efforts, she still got sick.

In a health update she released a week later, Ellen assured her fans that she was feeling much better. “I’m 100% now,” she said, before adding, “But seriously, they don’t tell you that back pain is one of the worst symptoms.”

Her experience highlights how early in the pandemic, there was less understanding of the full range of COVID-19 symptoms. When the virus first emerged, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) did not list back pain as an official symptom. Instead, they noted more common signs like fever, cough, shortness of breath, and muscle aches, which may have included back pain under the broader category of “muscle or body aches.”

While the CDC didn’t initially emphasize back pain, people who contracted COVID, like Ellen, began reporting it more frequently as the pandemic went on. As more cases were studied, it became apparent that many individuals were experiencing a wide range of muscle and joint pain, including backaches. According to the NHS, some people might have had pre-existing aches and pains that worsened during their illness, while others developed new discomforts due to reduced movement while battling the virus.

The NHS website also explains that reduced mobility during an illness like COVID-19 can lead to muscle weakness and stiffness, contributing to back pain. This was especially true during the early days of the pandemic, when lockdowns and social distancing measures kept people indoors and sedentary. A lack of physical activity can exacerbate joint pain, which many people experienced while recovering from the virus.

Interestingly, the rise in work-from-home setups during the pandemic may have also played a role in increasing back pain. People who suddenly found themselves working long hours from their couches or kitchen tables, often without ergonomic office furniture, were more likely to experience discomfort. Studies from countries like Malta have shown a significant increase in back pain cases during the pandemic. Before COVID-19, 30% of people in one study reported having chronic back pain, but that number jumped to 49% after the virus spread, with many individuals reporting they had never experienced back issues before.

It’s important to remember, however, that back pain alone doesn’t mean you have COVID-19. Backaches can result from many different factors, including poor posture, lack of movement, or other illnesses like the flu, which can also cause muscle aches. If you experience back pain along with symptoms like fever, coughing, or congestion, it’s worth considering other possible conditions, such as the flu or even pneumonia.

In conclusion, Ellen DeGeneres’ experience serves as a reminder that COVID-19 can manifest in unexpected ways, including through severe back pain. As we continue to learn more about the virus, it’s essential to stay informed about all possible symptoms and take care of our health, especially in uncertain times like these.