Physical Therapy for Long COVID.

Maxime @maximeutopix

People who get COVID-19 usually fully recover. Some survivors may experience symptoms that last longer than the "normal" recovery time.

These people were called "long-haulers" by COVID, which led to the term "long COVID". According to researchers, around 10% of COVID-19 sufferers become long-haulers.

The condition is being called PASC (Post-Acute Sequelae SARS-CoV-2), as the research continues.

Let's take a look at it:

• Acute care refers to critical treatment for a condition or illness. "Post-acute" refers to the next phase and includes people who return home from rehabilitation or hospitalization.

• Sequalae can be described as side effects or consequences of an injury or disease.

PASC is a shorthand for the persistent symptoms of COVID-19 that long-haulers are experiencing. The unpredictable nature of COVID long-term is making research difficult. The severity and symptoms of COVID can vary greatly from one person to the next.

These are the most frequent lasting symptoms, but they don't have to be limited to:

• Fatigue and weakness.

• Achy muscles.

• Breathing difficulty

• Concentration problems

• Headache.

• Muscle pain or joint pain

• Lack of endurance or inability to exercise.

• Sleep problems.

• Gastrointestinal symptoms.

• Depression or anxiety.

• You can feel your heartbeat beating fast or slow.

• Memory problems or brain fog

Patient-led surveys have also reported another symptom, post-exertional depression. PEM or "Post Exertional Malaise" refers to the worsening symptoms following mental or physical activities. People's abilities will vary. A task that is easy to tolerate one day might make symptoms worse the next. To ensure that treatment doesn't cause PEM or worsen symptoms, a physical therapist will closely monitor the person's response to exercise.

If symptoms can be managed during exertion and afterward, adding more physical activity is safe.

Contact your primary care physician if you experience long COVID symptoms. Long COVID can also include other health problems that may require imaging, labs, or tests before you are referred to a physical therapy specialist for an evaluation and treatment. Not everyone with COVID may be able to exercise.

COVID-19 long-haulers can be helped by physical therapists. These professionals may suggest activities that long-term COVID patients can do at home. This includes low-intensity stretching to increase range of motion and strength training. Your recovery will be aided by movement. Physical therapy's goal is to increase your strength, stamina, and quality of life by recommending movement.

For a no-cost evaluation, you can contact PAR5PT at this link.