Cold and flu season can leave you feeling exhausted. Between congestion, headaches, body aches, coughing and fatigue, it is easy to underestimate how much your body is doing to fight off an infection.
Most colds and uncomplicated cases of flu can be managed at home with rest and supportive care. But even once you start feeling better, you may be left with lingering aches and pains – particularly if you’ve been coughing a lot.
Coughing can take a toll on your body
A persistent cough creates repeated, forceful contractions through the muscles of your chest, ribs, abdomen, neck and back. After days of coughing, it isn’t unusual to develop muscular soreness or stiffness.
You may notice:
- Soreness around the ribs or chest
- Upper or mid-back pain
- Neck and shoulder tension
- Abdominal muscle soreness
- Pain when coughing, sneezing or taking a deep breath
Sometimes the infection has almost cleared, but the muscular pain remains.
How can osteopathy help?
Osteopathy won’t treat the cold or flu itself, but once you’re recovering, osteopathic treatment may help with some of the musculoskeletal discomfort that can develop from prolonged coughing, altered movement or spending more time resting.
Your osteopath can assess the movement of your spine, ribs and surrounding muscles and, where appropriate, use gentle hands-on techniques to help reduce muscle tension, improve movement and make breathing and everyday activities more comfortable.
Treatment can also be adapted to how you’re feeling on the day. If you’ve recently been unwell, a gentle approach may be more appropriate than the type of treatment you would normally receive.
Looking after yourself when you’re unwell
The best thing you can do is give your body time to recover.
Rest and sleep as much as you can, stay well hydrated and eat nourishing foods when you’re able. Avoid strenuous exercise while you’re unwell and gradually return to your normal activities as your energy comes back.
It’s also important to stay home when you’re sick where possible, practise good hand hygiene and take steps to avoid passing the infection on to others.
When should you see your doctor?
If your symptoms are severe, getting worse, unusually persistent, or you’re concerned about how you’re feeling, speak with your GP or another appropriate healthcare professional.
In particular, significant chest pain, difficulty breathing, severe dehydration or other concerning symptoms should be assessed promptly.
If you’ve recovered from a cold or flu but are left with persistent muscular aches, rib, neck or back pain from coughing, an osteopathic assessment may help you get moving comfortably again.