As Ellen DeGeneres’ long-running chat show came to an end, the 64-year-old reflected on her career, including her experience with “excruciating” back pain after contracting COVID-19 during the pandemic. After stepping away from the spotlight amid allegations of a toxic work environment, she focused on animal conservation and completed the Ellen DeGeneres Campus of the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund in Rwanda.

In December 2020, DeGeneres, who had taken all precautions, tested positive for COVID-19. Although she recovered a week later, she was surprised by back pain, a symptom not widely discussed at the time. On “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” in April 2021, she shared her experience, noting that severe back pain was an unexpected symptom of the virus.

Initially, the CDC did not list back pain as a COVID-19 symptom, although it acknowledged “muscle or bodily aches.” Later, the NHS explained that pre-existing aches and the lack of physical activity during illness could lead to muscle stiffness and discomfort, contributing to back pain. The pandemic’s shift to remote work also led to increased sedentary behavior, which further aggravated back issues.

A study in Malta found that 49% of individuals reported back pain after COVID-19, compared to 30% before the pandemic. However, back pain can have many causes and does not necessarily indicate a COVID-19 infection.