Back Pain & Ominicron Symptom | Virginia Spine Institute
Insights To Help Get You Back To Your Life.

About The Author

Share This Post

Spine Surgeon Dr. Haines Discusses Latest Covid-19 Variant Symptom: Back Pain

Authored by Dr. Colin Haines, MD. January 11, 2022

Throughout the pandemic, more and more people have been stricken with back and neck pain. That same increase seems to be happening again with the rise in the Omicron variant. While the true scientific reasons are not exactly known, there are many potential causes.

In my opinion, this is largely due to the work-from-home economy that has increased due to in-person limitations. People’s lifestyles have changed dramatically. During the height of the pandemic-driven lockdowns, there was a sharp increase in back and neck pain from poor posture staring at a computer and diminished physical activity. After all, rolling out of bed and immediately looking into a virtual meeting isn’t the healthiest morning workout for the spine. Further, the stress that many parents were under trying to work and educate their kids from home means that it was hard for the mind to heal. Constant angst only serves to amplify pain and increase backaches. With the increase in cases from Omicron, the pattern is repeating. In my own house, the stress of not knowing if my children are going to school the following day has been a major stressor for my mind which hasn’t been great for my overall physical well-being either.

Aside from the lifestyle modifications that have resulted from Omicron, Covid has been known to be very inflammatory. When the overall body has heightened inflammation, aches and pains get amplified. For example, there are times that a lumbar disc herniation, or a tear in the shock absorbers of the back, alone may not hurt all that much. But that injury combined with increased overall inflammation, be it from the diet, lack of exercise/sleep, or COVID, could result in serious and debilitating pain. In other words, Omicron may be another factor that converts a spine injury that we could normally shrug off into a bad, painful injury.

While the science isn’t exact yet, there’s no doubt that COVID has been rough on our spines. The best medicine to combat this is prevention. Getting the proper sleep, emphasizing nutrition and exercise, focusing on emotional and mental health, and staying healthy is the best for your body and spine.

Listen to Dr. Haines discuss the Omicron variant with KCBS here.


Dr. Colin Haines is a board certified spine surgeon and the Director of Research at Virginia Spine Institute. Dr. Haines performed the world’s first combined endoscopic and robot-guided spine surgery. His patient success has earned him a national feature on The Today Show and WebMD, and Top Doctor recognition in consecutive years.. Learn more about Dr. Haines.

Schedule Your Consult

Schedule

Reviewed by: Dr. Colin Haines, MD.

Reviewed by: Dr. Colin Haines, MD.

About The Author

Dr. Colin Haines, MD

Share This Post

Other videos on this topic

Find out Why Patients are Traveling to Virginia Spine Institute to Get Their Life Back

Hear Why Patients Chose Virginia Spine Institute to Get Their Life Back

The Today Show Features Patient Who Found Relief to Chronic Pain at Virginia Spine Institute

As Seen on ABC News: Virginia Spine Institute Among 1st in the World to Perform Augmented Reality Surgery

As Seen On Good Morning Washington: Dr. Haines Discusses Working From Home Tips for Parents and Kids

Overcoming Back Pain: New Patient Process

Tips to Alleviate Back Pain While Working from Home

The Risks of Waiting to Get Spine Treatment

As Seen on WUSA9: How to properly set up an at-home work station to avoid back pain

Common Reasons to Visit a Spine Surgeon

Dr. Schuler Provides Hope for Those Suffering With Back or Neck Pain.

What is Degenerative Disc Disease?

What is a Lumbar Spinal Fusion?

What is Flatback Syndrome?

Adult Scoliosis Treatments

What is Spinal Stenosis?

What is Spondylolisthesis?

What is Sciatica?

What is a Lumbar Disc Replacement?

Tips to Avoid Back Pain During the Winter Months

3 Most Common Causes of Back Pain

Spinal Champion, Rita

Spinal Champion Omar’s Medical Diagnosis & Treatment

What is a Disc Herniation?

EMG for Diagnostic Testing

Sacroiliitis: Back Pain, Hip Pain, or Radiating Pain

What is Scoliosis?

Surgical Scoliosis Treatments

The Spine Surgery that Helped Tiger Woods Get Back on the Golf Course

When Is Spinal Surgery Necessary For Back or Neck Pain?