Ellen DeGeneres, known for her bubbly personality and successful talk show, has experienced both career highs and lows. After her show ended after 19 seasons, Ellen chose to take a step back from the limelight. Allegations about a toxic workplace had surfaced, leading her to refocus her efforts on a passion project—animal conservation. She recently completed The Ellen DeGeneres Campus of the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund in Rwanda.

However, Ellen’s journey took a different turn when she contracted COVID-19 during the pandemic. What surprised her most wasn’t just the usual symptoms of the virus but an unexpected one—excruciating back pain. Ellen shared her experience on social media, admitting that she had no idea back pain could be linked to COVID-19.

In December 2020, Ellen announced she had contracted the virus despite following all the recommended precautions. A week later, she gave a health update, reassuring her fans that she was feeling “100%” better. However, she also took the opportunity to reveal something surprising about her experience. “What they don’t tell you,” Ellen said, “is that you’ll have severe back pain. I didn’t know that was a symptom until I talked to a few other people who also had COVID-19.”

Ellen’s reaction was one of shock, “Who would have thought? I’m over here thinking, ‘Why am I having this back pain?’” At the time she contracted COVID-19, there was still a lot of uncertainty surrounding the virus, and many of its symptoms were not fully understood.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) initially did not list back pain as one of the formal symptoms of COVID-19. Instead, common symptoms included fever, chills, cough, shortness of breath, and muscle or body aches. Although muscle aches were on the list, specific mentions of back pain were uncommon.

As time went on, many individuals who had contracted the virus reported suffering from intense back pain, much like Ellen. Studies and healthcare organizations began to take note of this trend. According to the NHS, it’s not unusual for viral illnesses like COVID-19 to cause or worsen joint and muscle pains, including backaches. The NHS explained that many people already had some degree of muscle or joint pain before falling ill, and the virus might have aggravated these existing issues.

Furthermore, decreased physical activity during COVID-19 infections could also contribute to the discomfort. Those who contracted the virus were often more sedentary, which can lead to stiffness and muscle weakness. The NHS emphasizes that regular movement is crucial for maintaining healthy muscles and joints, so a period of reduced activity can easily result in new or worsening pain.

Another factor contributing to the surge in reported back pain was the rise in remote work. With lockdowns and social restrictions in place, many people found themselves working from home, often in less-than-ideal ergonomic conditions. As a result, back pain became a widespread complaint during the pandemic.

A study conducted in Malta with 388 participants revealed that before the COVID-19 pandemic, 30% of people reported experiencing chronic back pain. After the pandemic started, that number jumped to 49%, with many of these individuals stating they had never experienced back issues before.

While it’s important to note that back pain doesn’t necessarily mean you have COVID-19, it can be a symptom to watch for, especially when accompanied by other signs like congestion, fever, or coughing. It’s also possible that muscle pain, such as backaches, could point to other common illnesses like the flu, which tends to be more prevalent during winter months. Similarly, patients with pneumonia might experience back pain due to inflammation in the lungs.

Back pain caused by viral infections or other conditions can vary. Some people describe it as a shooting or stabbing sensation, while others report a dull, persistent ache. In more severe cases, the pain might radiate down the leg or cause feelings of pins and needles.

Ellen’s experience with back pain during COVID-19 sheds light on the lesser-known symptoms of the virus. Her openness about this painful side effect helps raise awareness for others who may be going through the same thing, reminding us that there’s still a lot to learn about the full impact of this virus.