What should I do if I have back pain and test positive for COVID-19?

Testing positive for COVID-19 means a positive result for infection with the novel coronavirus. If a patient experiences lower back pain after infection, it may be caused by factors such as lumbar strain, invasion of the virus into the lower back area, or lumbar disc herniation. Generally, discomfort can be effectively relieved and recovery promoted through daily self-care, physical therapy, medication, and other approaches.

1. Daily Self-Care

If a patient has lower back pain, they should develop healthy lifestyle habits. Pay attention to balanced nutrition by moderately consuming meat, eggs, dairy products, vegetables, fruits, and other foods. Engage in appropriate physical exercise, but avoid strenuous activities that could lead to injury or chronic musculoskeletal damage. Maintain regular sleep patterns—going to bed early and waking up early—and avoid excessive fatigue or prolonged heavy physical labor.

2. Physical Therapy

For patients experiencing lower back pain, physical therapies can be chosen to relieve discomfort. These include traditional Chinese medicine approaches such as massage and acupuncture, or Western medical treatments like magnetotherapy, phototherapy, laser therapy, and radiofrequency therapy. These methods can help alleviate muscle spasms in the lower back, improve local blood circulation, reduce inflammation, and provide supportive therapeutic effects.

3. Medication

If a patient's lower back pain is severe, relying solely on daily self-care or physical therapy is not recommended. Medications can be used to relieve symptoms. It is advised that patients take anti-inflammatory and analgesic drugs such as diclofenac sodium sustained-release tablets, ibuprofen sustained-release capsules, or loxoprofen sodium tablets under the guidance of a physician.