Have you or someone you know been affected by post-covid syndrome or, as it's otherwise known, long-covid? It appears that this has been the case for quite a large number of people. The good news is that there are various approaches you can implement in order to resolve the symptoms of the syndrome. In this article we will discuss which options are available, including some highly effective physiotherapy treatment modalities.
Firstly, let’s briefly review some of the most common post-covid syndrome symptoms:
- Extreme tiredness/fatigue
- Brain fog, trouble concentrating, memory problems
- Shortness of breath
- Reduced exercise capacity compared to pre-covid
- Residual joint/muscle pain
Interestingly, sometimes the post-covid symptoms can be worse than the symptoms which the patient experienced during the actual time of the active infection.
So, what can be done to assist with post-covid recovery? One option is SCENAR therapy, a highly effective physiotherapy treatment modality. The SCENAR uses a low frequency current and works through increasing the blood circulation which, in turn, leads to improved delivery of oxygen to the tissues hence maintaining efficient oxygenation, cellular metabolism and homeostasis. This helps to accelerate the body’s natural defence mechanisms, leading to faster recovery. Below is a case study of a patient we saw a while ago with post-covid syndrome. Following the case study, we will also examine some other avenues which can be helpful in dealing with post-covid symptoms.
The patient was a 13-year-old girl who had covid four weeks prior to seeing us and has been experiencing post-covid symptoms since. Her main symptoms included headache, tiredness, and brain fog. The actual active infection was quite mild.
The patient saw us for three treatment sessions which included SCENAR therapy. The main areas which we worked on were the cervical and thoracic spine. The patient started to notice an improvement in her symptoms after the very first session and continues to improve with each subsequent session. At the time of the third session the patient was pleased to report that all the symptoms have become significantly milder.
The treatment was discontinued after the third session as the patient was going on holidays. Arrangements were made to continue with the treatment upon the patient’s return if it was needed, however this was not required as the patient was feeling well.
Other things which can help with post-covid recovery are leading a general healthy lifestyle. This includes the following:
Consuming 2-3 servings of raw fruit and at least 5 servings of raw vegetables daily.
Raw fruits and vegetables are the main source of vitamins, minerals, flavonoids and other polyphenols providing antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antiviral, antibacterial and other health protecting effects. When we cook vegetables and fruit they lose their nutrients in the cooking process, so it’s best to eat them raw as much as possible.
Making sure that you drink 1.5-2L of water daily.
Drinking water has many health benefits and is important in order to prevent a number of problems, such as dry skin and mouth, headaches and, with more severe dehydration, confusion, fatigue, dizziness and others.
Healthy sleep
It’s best to aim for 7-9 hours of sleep. Avoid too much stimulation before going to bed, such as listening to loud music, watching action movies, using caffeinated drinks and doing vigorous exercise before going to bed. Also try to avoid using ipads, smart phones and laptops before going to bed as the bright blue light produced by these devices stops your body producing melatonin - a chemical responsible for making us sleepy. Try to relax and keep your bedroom temperature between 18-22°C.
Appropriate exercise program
Exercises are effective in maintaining both innate and adaptive immunity if used correctly. When it comes to post-covid syndrome it’s important to find a healthy balance between getting sufficient exercise but not over-exercising, as this can sometimes make the symptoms worse. Speak to your physiotherapist/GP in order to work out an appropriate exercise plan for you.
As mentioned at the outset, post-covid syndrome is quite prevalent. Please contact us if you have any questions after reading this article or would like more information.