With the end of The Ellen DeGeneres Show after an impressive 19-season run, fans and media alike have reflected on Ellen DeGeneres’ career — from her influential highs to the controversies that marked her show’s later years. At 64, Ellen has taken a significant step back from the public eye, especially following allegations of workplace toxicity that surfaced in the latter part of her show’s run. Yet, her decision to leave was not only career-related; it was also deeply personal, as she increasingly focused on her passion for wildlife conservation, including the recent completion of The Ellen DeGeneres Campus of the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund in Rwanda.

In addition to her shift away from television, DeGeneres recently shared a health update on social media about contracting COVID-19. She revealed an unexpected and painful symptom that she experienced in December 2020 when she tested positive for the virus. Like many others early in the pandemic, Ellen dealt with unusual symptoms, one of which took her by surprise: intense back pain. At the time, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) didn’t list back pain as a COVID symptom, focusing instead on more prominent symptoms like fever, cough, and difficulty breathing. Ellen said in an update, “I feel fantastic,” but added, “What they don’t tell you is that you will have severe back pain. I had no notion that was a symptom until I spoke with a few other people.” She found that others also faced similar back pain, and she was left wondering why this wasn’t widely known.

Ellen’s experience echoes a broader understanding that has since emerged as more research has been conducted on COVID-19 symptoms. Muscle and body aches were eventually recognized by the CDC, as well as the UK’s National Health Service (NHS), which acknowledged that COVID can exacerbate joint pain, back pain, and overall muscular discomfort. According to the NHS, illness can often reactivate or worsen existing issues, as joint health typically relies on movement to maintain strength and flexibility. For those battling COVID, reduced activity due to illness can lead to aches, muscle stiffness, and general discomfort, affecting everything from basic tasks like walking to more strenuous activities.

Notably, during the height of COVID restrictions, millions began working from home, often in makeshift office setups without ergonomic support. This lack of proper workspace equipment, paired with hours spent sitting or working from couches, may have compounded muscular and joint pain. In fact, studies reveal a significant increase in reported cases of back pain since the pandemic began. In Malta, for example, a study of 388 participants showed that while 30% of people experienced chronic back pain before COVID, that number rose to 49% during the pandemic, with many individuals indicating they had no history of back pain prior.

With this increased sedentary lifestyle, particularly for those who might not otherwise have suffered from musculoskeletal issues, a variety of back pain symptoms emerged. People reported sensations like shooting, burning, or stabbing pain, radiating discomfort down the legs, tingling sensations, and a persistent dull ache. While these symptoms alone aren’t definitive indicators of COVID-19, they are important for awareness. Additionally, conditions such as pneumonia can lead to thoracic inflammation, which causes chest and back pain as well, adding to the array of post-COVID complications.

Still, it’s essential to remember that back pain is a symptom with many potential causes. While it may be exacerbated by COVID, it can also signal common conditions like flu, especially during winter when viral infections are more common. Infections that affect the chest and lungs, such as pneumonia, can also cause back pain due to inflammation. For individuals experiencing back pain alongside other symptoms like fever, chills, or a persistent cough, consulting a healthcare provider can help determine whether these symptoms are related to COVID or another illness.

Ellen’s experience has served as a reminder of the complexities of COVID-19 and its many lingering symptoms, as well as the evolving understanding of the virus itself. Though back pain and joint discomfort were not initially considered common COVID symptoms, the last few years have shown that symptoms can vary widely from person to person. In addition to more commonly known symptoms like loss of taste and smell, these less-discussed symptoms have become part of the long COVID conversation, with medical experts working to understand their lasting effects.

Ellen’s story and her battle with unexpected symptoms resonate with many who found their own experiences with COVID different from the most commonly discussed indicators. While she’s since recovered and shifted her focus toward new ventures in conservation and philanthropy, her reflections on the “excruciating” back pain remind us all that COVID’s impact is wide-ranging and can manifest in unique ways. Her candidness about the experience adds another layer to the understanding of COVID’s unpredictable effects, emphasizing the importance of awareness and support for those still navigating their own recovery journeys.