Long COVID is a condition that affects some people after they have recovered from a bout of the COVID-19 virus. Since it’s emergence, the condition has presented a unique set of challenges and complexities in the medical community with even professionals suffering from it as well.
While the symptoms and severity of long COVID vary, people typically find that their lives are negatively impacted regardless. There is no cure or specific medication for the condition – just symptom reduction and relief. Because of this, sufferers might have to be seen by various medical professionals and try several different things to feel better.
Physical therapy is a treatment option that shows promise for people with long COVID. In this post, we will discuss the complexities of the condition and how physical therapy can help.
About Long COVID
This condition is also known as post-acute sequelae of SARS-coV-2 infection (or PASC). It is when one has recovered from the acute phase of the COVID-19 virus but is continuing to have ongoing health problems for extended period of time from it. Here are some key facts to know:
- It is not fully understood yet by the medical community but it is very real.
- Recent research has linked the symptoms to inflammation of the Vagus nerve, linking the common symptoms to Dysautonomia, or dysfunction of the autonomic system.
- It starts at least four weeks after recovering from the acute phase of the illness.
- Anyone can end up with the condition regardless of how severe the acute phase of the illness was.
- Anyone can get it regardless of gender, age, race, and ethnicity.
- There is no set diagnostic test for it.
- It can last from months to even years after it starts.
- It can lead to further health conditions (i.e. diabetes)
There are many symptoms of this condition. In fact, it has been reported that there are over 100 different ones. They can affect virtually any part of the body and a lot of the time aren’t the same as the symptoms felt during the acute phase of the illness. They can come and go as well as change in severity. Here are some of the most common ones:
- Mild to severe fatigue
- Shortness of breath
- Increased heart rate
- Chest pain and/or tightness
- Abdominal pain or impaired bowel function
- Headaches
- Joint pain
- Muscle weakness
- Brain fog and memory issues
- Anxiety
- Insomnia
If a person thinks they are dealing with long COVID and plans to see a medical professional about it, they should gather information beforehand. This includes writing down their health issues they believe are related to COVID, past medical history, concerns, and questions. If they need help advocating for themselves, a trustworthy family or friend should be called upon.
Long COVID and Physical Therapy
Due to the variety of symptoms, there has to be a multidisciplinary approach to treating long COVID. Since physical therapy has health benefits for a variety of conditions, it can play an important role in one’s treatment plan along with interventions from other health professionals. The following are symptoms that physical therapy can be of help for and how:
- Breathing/Cardiovascular Conditioning Issues- Physical therapists can help clients manage breathlessness and increase their endurance. This might include breathing exercises, walking with gradual progression and aerobic training on machines.
- Muscle Weakness- Physical therapists can help clients gain strength by way of therapeutic exercise. This might include the use of light weights, resistance bands and bodyweight exercises.
- Joint Pain and Stiffness- Physical therapists can relax joints and address pain by providing manual therapy and therapeutic exercise.
- Balance Issues and Dizziness- Physical therapists can help improve these by way of movement techniques and visual tracking exercises.
- Fatigue- Physical therapists can teach and guide clients on how to manage their fatigue and conserve their energy. This is done through pacing activities, therapeutic exercise and education.
- Functional Difficulties- Physical therapists can help clients dealing with loss of the ability to perform functional tasks that are relevant to their daily lives. They can do this by having clients gradually work on the daily movements they were able to do before dealing with long COVID. Examples of this include practicing walking, stair stepping/climbing and sit-to-stand transitions.
- Psychosocial Issues- Long COVID can affect a person mentally and emotionally. Physical therapists can be there to provide emotional support, encouragement and understanding.
How EA Can Help
Here at EA Therapeutic Health, we are dedicated to enhancing our client’s quality of life. This means that when clients with long COVID come to us for care, we will employ a the strategies necessary to make sure they are on the path to recovery. Here is what one can expect with long COVID treatment at EA:
- Assessment and Evaluation- Our staff will conduct thorough assessments to understand each client’s symptoms and functional limitations as they relate to long COVID. This will include evaluating one’s mobility, balance, endurance, strength and ability to perform functional tasks. They will also go over whether the client has any breathing impairments, fatigue and/or pain.
- Individualized Rehabilitation Plan- After the assessment and evaluation is done, our staff will create a safe and gradual rehabilitation plan that is personalized for each client.
- Rehabilitation Strategies and Symptom Management- Once individualized treatment plans are created, the road to recovery gets underway. Using our state of the art equipment, we guide clients through exercises and movements that are geared towards their symptoms. An example of a piece of equipment we use is the Neubie device which improves the function of the autonomic nervous system, reducing the “fight or flight” response that many people with long COVID struggle with.
- Education and Empowerment- As we help clients with long COVID on their way to recovery, we make sure to educate them on their condition/symptoms, help them set realistic goals, provide self-care technique ideas for at home and teach them how to pace themselves to prevent the worsening of symptoms.
- Psychosocial Support- Long COVID can be challenging to deal with from an emotional standpoint. Because of this, the physical therapists at EA will provide emotional support, encouragement and empathy during each session. There is a mind-body connection and having a healthy mindset is important for overall recovery.
In conclusion
Physical therapy is an effective tool in the management of long COVID. By providing various treatment approaches, personalized care and emotional support-therapists contribute significantly to the recovery of people who are struggling with the condition.
Are you dealing with long COVID symptoms or know someone who is? Contact EA Therapeutic Health for more information on we help our clients to feel better and live better.