More people are living with pain today than before covid emerged

Chronic pain has become more common since covid-19 emerged – and long covid only accounts for some of the rise.

The coronavirus was first identified in December 2019, which led to lockdowns being implemented around the world within months. Researchers initially warned that such strict restrictions could lead to chronic pain due to reduced access to healthcare, more sedentary lifestyles and possibly lingering symptoms of the infection.

But scientists previously found almost no…