Long Covid muscle pain - what really helps when the body can't rest

Very few people have been able to avoid a Covid-19 infection in recent years, and for many it was fortunately without consequences. But for some, an invisible battle began afterwards that continues to this day. 

Around one in two Long Covid sufferers report persistent muscle pain - a symptom that is quickly underestimated in everyday life. Although it is often invisible to those affected, they feel it with every movement, every step and sometimes even when resting.

The pain is often diffuse, difficult to grasp and yet extremely restrictive. Many feel cut off from their energy and their body seems constantly tense or overstimulated. 

But as stressful as the symptoms are: There are ways to regain some control. From targeted exercise to gentle relaxation methods, many small steps can help you achieve your goal of greater well-being.

 

Reading tip: If you would like to know which other complaints massages can help with, you can find practical answers in the article "From head to toe - where massages can help".

 

What happens in the body? The causes behind long covid muscle pain

Muscle pain after a Covid-19 infection is no coincidence and is not a classic symptom as is sometimes the case with viral infections. Researchers suspect a combination of several factors behind it: Inflammatory processes in the tissue, a persistent dysregulation of the immune system and stimulus processing disorders in the nervous system. These correlations are also described in the S1 guideline "Long-/Post-COVID syndrome" of the AWMF (2024)which classifies Long Covid as a complex multisystem disease.

Unlike classic muscle soreness, the causes are not acute overload and micro-injuries, but the interaction of immune response, nerve irritation and exhaustion. This explains why many sufferers feel permanently tense, hypersensitive or simply as if they have just completed a strenuous workout, even without any physical activity.

Some of these complaints are similar to chronic pain syndromes such as central pain syndromein which the nervous system remains "switched to pain", so to speak.

You can find out more about this in our article: Muscle pain after Corona.

 

What Long Covid pain feels like and why it is so difficult to grasp

Dull, stabbing, burning - long Covid muscle pain comes in many guises. Some describe it as similar to sore muscles, others feel an inner tension or even a "pulling resistance" in their arms, legs or back. What they have in common: They often occur regardless of exertion, or even with minimal exertion.

In short: if even climbing stairs or carrying a shopping basket is painful, everyday life simply becomes a torture. The body reacts hypersensitively, sometimes seemingly for no apparent reason. And what was possible yesterday can become a hurdle today, as the symptoms vary greatly from day to day. 

It is precisely this unpredictability that makes dealing with it so challenging, both physically and emotionally. What's more, this type of complaint is not easy to diagnose.

 

What really helps? - Treatment options for long covid muscle pain

As this is a complex reaction of the body, it also requires a multifaceted approach. Medication such as low-dose antidepressants or certain painkillers can help to dampen the sensation of pain in the central nervous system, but are usually only part of the whole.

Physiotherapeutic measures, exercise therapy and psychosomatic support are also used. The so-called multimodal pain therapyin which medical, therapeutic and psychological approaches work together.

It not only addresses the symptoms, but also the lifestyle habits and thus offers a new perspective on dealing with chronic complaints. As with many treatments, personal initiative and confidence are also required here.

Reading tip: Pain management - understanding pain and achieving a better quality of life

What you can do yourself: Strategies for everyday life with long covid muscle pain

Unfortunately, Long Covid pain cannot simply be "trained away", but there are ways to regain more control. Gentle exercise is one of them. Not to increase performance, but to keep the muscles active and stimulate them more consciously. 

Even small mobilization exercises or short walks can help to improve body awareness and reduce sensitivity to stimuli.

Also Stimulus reduction and stress management also play an important role. Relaxation techniques such as breathing exercises or progressive muscle relaxation can also help. The latter is a technique in which you tense and release muscle groups one after the other to relax the whole body, which can have a calming effect on the nervous system.

Many sufferers also find gentle massages beneficial. The even, low-pressure stimuli have a balancing effect, they can reduce hypersensitivity and promote a better body sensation. 

 

Reading tip: You can find out more about this topic in our article "How massages affect the nervous system".

 

Massage chair during Long Covid - relief for the body and nervous system

If massages are your treatment of choice, then massage chairs will quickly become an issue. Flexible use in everyday life and various gentle massage and relaxation programs make them an excellent option. 

Especially when going to physiotherapy is too strenuous and painful. They offer targeted pressure massage, soothing warmth and even stimulation, all passively and individually adjustable.

Particularly helpful for long covid muscle pain: the combination of air pressure massage and heat function. It gently envelops the arms and legs and sends out even stimuli that can calm the overstimulated nervous system. The ability to flexibly adjust the intensity also makes the treatment particularly gentle.

A good example of this is the MSW-300 massage chair - developed for sensitive users, with a focus on gentle pressure distribution and soothing heat treatment.

You can find other suitable models in our health collectionwhich is specially tailored to sensitive needs.

 

Living with long Covid muscle pain: getting back to everyday life

Muscle pain after a Covid infection is more than just an annoying symptom, for many people it is a permanent burden that is physically and mentally demanding. But even if the causes lie deep in the nervous system, this does not mean that you are helplessly at their mercy.

There are ways to regain more quality of life step by step: through movement at your own pace, through conscious relaxation and through aids that gently support you. 

Massage chairs can play a supporting role here: not as a substitute for therapy, but as an ever-ready oasis of relaxation that offers your body rest, structure and targeted stimulation.

Sometimes change starts small, with new routines that gradually lead to more relief and inner balance.

Note: This article does not replace a medical diagnosis or therapy. If your symptoms persist or are severe, you should seek medical advice.