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Looking Back at a Long Career
As Ellen DeGeneres ended her famous talk show after 19 seasons, many fans started reflecting on her journey. From major successes to public controversies, her career has seen many ups and downs.
Recently, she shared a personal health experience that surprised many people. At 64, she revealed that she suffered from severe back pain after getting COVID-19 during the pandemic.
Life After the Show
After facing criticism about a toxic workplace environment on The Ellen DeGeneres Show, she decided to step away from the spotlight. Instead, she focused on something close to her heart—animal conservation.
She worked on building the Ellen DeGeneres Campus for the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund in Rwanda. During this time, she also dealt with COVID-19, which brought unexpected challenges.
A Surprising Symptom
When she got infected in December 2020, she followed all safety precautions. Within a week, she recovered and said she felt “100% better.” However, one symptom caught her off guard—intense back pain.
During an appearance on Jimmy Kimmel Live!, she spoke openly about it. She explained that no one had warned her about this symptom. She only realized it might be connected to COVID-19 after talking to others who had similar experiences.
Her reaction was simple but honest—she didn’t expect back pain to be part of the illness.
What Experts Say
At the start of the pandemic, doctors and researchers were still learning about COVID-19. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention listed common symptoms like fever, cough, and fatigue. They also mentioned body aches, but they did not clearly highlight back pain at that time.
Later, the National Health Service gave more insight. They explained that illness can make existing body pain worse. When people move less due to sickness, muscles and joints can become stiff and weak, leading to discomfort.
Why Back Pain Became Common
There were several reasons why more people reported back pain during the pandemic.
First, COVID-19 itself caused body aches and weakness in some patients. Second, many people stayed home more often. They moved less, exercised less, and spent long hours sitting. This lifestyle change led to increased back and shoulder pain—even in people who never had it before.
A study in Malta showed this clearly. Before the pandemic, about 30% of people reported back pain. After the pandemic began, that number rose to 49%. Many of these people had never experienced back problems before.
Not Always COVID-19
It’s important to understand that back pain does not always mean someone has COVID-19.
Many conditions can cause similar discomfort. For example, the flu can bring body aches along with fever and coughing. In more serious cases, illnesses like pneumonia can also lead to back pain due to inflammation in the chest area.
Common signs of back pain include sharp or stabbing feelings, pain that spreads to other areas, tingling sensations, or a constant dull ache.
A Helpful Reminder
Ellen DeGeneres’ experience highlights how unpredictable illnesses can be.
Her story reminds people to stay aware of their bodies and not ignore unusual symptoms. At the same time, it shows that not every symptom has a single cause.
In the end, understanding your body, staying active, and seeking medical advice when needed can make a big difference in staying healthy.
