As we enter Pain Awareness Month, we shine a spotlight on the millions of people living with chronic pain, including those who have developed it after a Covid-19 infection. Chronic pain is a silent struggle for many, but by raising awareness, we aim to support those affected and promote research to improve their quality of life.
This year, Long Covid SOS is highlighting the work of the British Pain Society (BPS) and the International Association for the Study of Pain (IASP) through Versus Arthritis to address the unique challenges of living with chronic pain, particularly, from our point of view, for people impacted by Long Covid.
What is Chronic Pain?
Chronic pain is defined as pain that persists for more than three months, and it affects between 18.4 million (34%) and 28 million people (43%) in the UK. For those with musculoskeletal conditions, the impact of pain can be devastating; 74% of people with these conditions report that pain severely affects their lives.
Musculoskeletal pain, which involves bones, muscles, and joints, is a significant contributor to chronic pain. 84% of people with chronic pain in England say their pain is located in areas most likely to be musculoskeletal. This kind of pain can limit mobility, reduce quality of life, and require long-term management.
Chronic Pain and Long Covid: A Complex Connection
Recent studies have revealed that people who have tested positive for Covid-19 face an increased risk of developing autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis and
psoriatic arthritis, with an alarming 172% increased risk. These conditions often result in chronic inflammation and joint pain, as well as stiffness and fatigue. However, Long Covid has also been linked to other painful conditions, including:
Migraine: Long Covid sufferers frequently report migraines, characterised by intense headaches, nausea, and light sensitivity. These are thought to result from ongoing inflammation in the nervous system.
Bursitis: The inflammation of bursae (fluid-filled sacs that cushion joints) leads to bursitis, causing swelling and pain in the hips, knees, and shoulders, making everyday movements difficult.
Areas of Chronic Pain
Chronic pain is highly individual—every person experiences it differently, and pain can occur in various forms across the body. People with chronic pain often deal with multiple kinds of discomfort, which can include:
Musculoskeletal pain (joints, bones, and muscles)
Nervous system pain (as seen with migraines)
Inflammatory pain (like bursitis)
Pain is complex, affected not only by biological factors but also by psychological, emotional, and social factors. Feelings, relationships, and lifestyle choices can all play a role in how people experience and manage their pain. However, more research is needed to understand how these factors combine and which ones are most important for the overall pain experience.
Chronic Pain's Impact on Daily Life
Chronic pain can change every aspect of a person's life, from how they move, think, and sleep to how they spend time with loved ones. It creates emotional and mental challenges as well as physical ones, as people often face isolation, frustration, and anxiety due to their condition.
With Long Covid, the complexity of chronic pain is even more pronounced. Many people who have recovered from the initial illness continue to experience persistent pain that severely disrupts their lives. Joint pain, migraines, and musculoskeletal inflammation are just some of the ways in which pain manifests, requiring long-term management and care.
The Need for Pain Research
There is an urgent need for more pain research to better understand the causes of chronic pain, how different factors influence it, and how it can be treated effectively. This will help. develop treatments with fewer side effects and improve the lives of those living with conditions like arthritis and Long Covid.
At Long Covid SOS, we are dedicated to supporting ongoing research into chronic pain, particularly in understanding its complex causes. By focusing on conditions like migraine, bursitis, and arthritis, we hope to develop new approaches to managing and relieving pain, pushing back against the impact it has on people’s lives.
Tackling Chronic Pain Together
This Pain Awareness Month, we encourage you to share your experiences of living with chronic pain through the #MyPainStory Campaign. Whether you’re managing pain from arthritis, Long Covid, or another condition, your voice matters. By sharing your story on your social media account with the hashtag #MyPainStory, you contribute to raising awareness and driving positive change for better understanding, support, and treatment.
Chronic pain affects millions of people every day, but together, we can work towards a future where pain is better understood, managed, and alleviated.
Find out more about musculoskeletal health by reading the State of Musculoskeletal Health 2024 report here
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