Muscle pain is reported in 6% of cases and joint pain in 3% of cases 7 to 9 months after infection. 12 months following the initial infection, muscle pain is reported in 7.3% of cases and joint pain in 3% of cases. With the Omicron variant, muscle pains and joint pain are less persistent, occurring in 2.5% of cases and 1.8% of cases respectively 3 months after primary infection. 

Muscle or joint pain may be due to inflammation, tendinitis or arthiritis. If the pain becomes chronic without evidence of inflammation or other causes, a diagnosis of fibromyalgia should be investigated. 

A diagnosis of fibromyalgia must meet the following three conditions:  

  • Painful symptoms present for at least three months  
  • Pain and severity of symptoms according to validated scales administered by a health professional  
  • Any other cause of chronic osteoarticular pain must be excluded.  

How do we test for it ? 

There is no test for or universal method for managing post-COVID pain. It is still managed on a case-by-case basis. We recommend that, after speaking to your primary care physician, if your symptoms have lasted longer than 3 months or are debilitating, you should consult a rheumatologist.

How is it treated ? 

Some treatments, such as anti-inflammatory drugs, can help if inflammation is suspected or observed. Non-drug treatments, such as physiotherapy, shiatsu, hypnosis, self-hypnosis and osteopathy, can also help. In addition, transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) treatment may also be considered to help relieve pain after discussion with your primary care physician.
 

Different exercises can help to better manage generalized pain :