As you’re recovering from COVID-19, you might have joint or muscle pain. Staying in bed for more than a couple of days ca​n lead to stiff joints and muscle weakness. They may ache, burn, or feel tired, stiff, or sore. Here are some ideas to help your joints and muscles feel better as you recover:

• When you can get out of bed, try not to sit or lie down in one position for a long time. Change your position often (for example, once an hour). Get up to go to the washroom, get a drink from the kitchen, or go look out a window.
  
• Do gentle stretches to start moving your joints and muscles again. This can help you manage your pain. See the exercising and being active section for gentle stretches you can try.
• See the information on using heat or ice to lower your pain (note that you can use heat or ice for pain in other areas of your body, not just your lower back).
• Talk to your healthcare provider or pharmacist about taking an over-the-counter pain medicine, such as acetaminophen (Tylenol), ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), or naproxen (Aleve). Follow the instructions on the package.
• Learn more about staying active when you have trouble moving.
• Call the Alberta Health Services Rehabilitation Advice Line to get advice on managing joint and muscle pain.​
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