More joint pain after COVID?
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More joint pain after COVID-19?
This could be the cause and what you can do
Have you noticed more joint pain since a COVID-19 infection? Stiff knees when getting up, pain in your hips or shoulders, or the feeling that movement is harder than before? Then you are certainly not alone. Many people report experiencing more joint pain or stiffness after COVID-19, even long after the infection itself has passed.
In this blog, you'll learn why joint complaints are more common after COVID-19, what you can do to get your body moving again, and how daili movement can play a supportive role.
Why do you have more joint pain after COVID-19?
Joint pain after COVID-19 usually doesn't have one clear cause. It's often a combination of factors that together lead to more stiffness, sensitivity, or pain.
1) Inflammatory reactions in the body
During and after a viral infection, your body is in a kind of "defense mode." Inflammatory processes can be more active than usual. For some people, these processes remain noticeable for some time, which can manifest as muscle and joint complaints.
This does not mean there is permanent damage, but rather that your body needs extra time to get back into balance.
2) Less movement during and after illness
During a COVID-19 infection, you often move much less. You lie down more, sit still longer, and avoid exertion. Even after recovery, many people remain cautious, keeping their total amount of movement lower than before.
Joints do not like prolonged inactivity. Less movement can lead to:
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more stiffness
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less smooth starting movement
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sensitive joints upon restarting activity
3) Muscle loss and reduced stability
Even a short period of reduced movement can lead to loss of muscle strength. Especially the muscles around the knees, hips, and shoulders play an important role in supporting your joints.
When these muscles are weaker, your joints have to bear more load. This can cause pain or discomfort during daily movements.
4) Fatigue and slower recovery
Many people experience a prolonged period of fatigue after COVID-19. When your body is tired, you recover more slowly, and movement often feels heavier. This can make joint complaints more prominent.
Which joints are often more sensitive after COVID-19?
The complaints differ from person to person, but often involve:
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knees and hips when walking or climbing stairs
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shoulders when reaching or lifting
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lower back when sitting for a long time
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hands and fingers upon starting activity
For some people, these complaints disappear on their own, while for others they persist longer and require a targeted approach.
What can you do about joint pain after COVID-19?
The good news is that you can do a lot yourself to get your body moving again and support your joints. The most important thing is to proceed calmly and consistently.
1) Gradually build up movement again
Don't force yourself to do everything as before right away. Small steps work better.
Good first choices are:
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short walks at a gentle pace
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light mobility exercises for hips and shoulders
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gentle stretching
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adding a few extra minutes of movement daily
2) Avoid long periods of sitting still
Try not to stay in the same position for too long. Stand up every hour, loosen your joints, and walk around for a few minutes. This helps reduce stiffness.
3) Work on muscle strength again
As soon as your energy allows, it's beneficial to reactivate your muscles. Especially legs, glutes, and core help relieve pressure on your joints.
Think of simple exercises such as:
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chair squats
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glute bridge
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light step-ups
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standing on one leg for stability
4) Give your body enough recovery
Recovery is at least as important as movement. Ensure sufficient sleep, drink enough water, and listen to your body's signals.
Over-fatigue can actually worsen symptoms.
What can you take to support joint pain after COVID-19?
In addition to movement and recovery, many people also seek support through nutrition and supplements, especially when stiffness or sensitivity persists.
Ingredients often chosen for joint health include:
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collagen peptides
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glucosamine
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MSM
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hyaluronic acid
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vitamin C and minerals that contribute to connective tissue and muscle function
These ingredients are often combined because joint complaints usually have multiple causes, such as stiffness, reduced muscle support, and slower recovery.
How can daili movement support after COVID-19?
If you notice that movement is more difficult to initiate after COVID-19, extra support can be welcome. daili movement can be a good addition as you gently restart your movement routine.
daili movement combines ingredients often chosen for joint health and movement comfort, such as collagen peptides, glucosamine NAG, MSM, and hyaluronic acid, supplemented with vitamin C and minerals. This combination aims to support connective tissue, muscles, and daily movement.
Additionally, daili movement is a liquid ampoule. Liquid supplements are often absorbed more readily and allow for combining multiple ingredients in a strong daily dose, which is useful when your body needs extra support during recovery.
More info: https://dailipharma.com/products/daili-movement
When to seek additional advice?
If joint pain after COVID-19:
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continues to worsen
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is accompanied by swelling
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is accompanied by loss of strength or tingling
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severely impedes your daily functioning
then it is wise to seek additional professional advice. This will help you work towards recovery in a targeted manner.