An Inside Look Into What Post Covid Physical Therapy Looks Like

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The long-term effects of Covid-19 affect millions, leading doctors to label the pandemic a “Mass Disabling Event.” Doctors and scientists are still studying the causes and ramifications of long Covid, but in the meantime, physical therapy Boerne is an important tool to mitigate disability and maintain a healthy lifestyle. Here are a few ways a qualified physical therapist can help with life-altering post-Covid symptoms.

Education

The internet and popular media are full of misinformation when it comes to Covid and its long-term health effects. Many patients may not initially realize that their unusual fatigue and trouble concentrating is due to Covid and not other health concerns or aging. The first step in physical therapy for Covid is educating patients and their families about the very real and potentially disabling long-term effects of Covid in some people. 

Individual Evaluations and Function Assessment

Long Covid presents differently in each patient, so a customized recovery plan starts with an individual evaluation and assessment. A physical therapist will ask questions about your Covid infection, such as if you were hospitalized, if you were placed on a ventilator or if you contracted the infection multiple times.

There are several standard functional tests that can help a physical therapist determine which interventions will have the most real-life benefits to you. A therapist may ask you to:

  • Walk about 30 feet with a consistent gait
  • Stand up and sit down on a folding chair as many times as possible in 30 seconds
  • March in place for up to 2 minutes with high knees

The specific tests administered will depend on the severity of your symptoms. Don’t worry about “failing” these tests or the therapist pushing you too hard, as a good physical therapist will quickly have a good grasp of what each individual can handle. These tests give your chosen physical therapy near me provider a good idea of your overall cardiovascular condition post-Covid. 

Blood Flow Restriction Training

Physical therapists have specialized techniques for post Covid patients that can provide more benefit with less risk. Blood flow restriction training uses cuffs, similar to those that measure blood pressure, to limit blood flow to muscles when performing light exercise. 

Why would you want less blood flow in your muscles? This makes the exercise more challenging at lower weights, so you can rebuild cardiovascular endurance without damage to muscles or blood vessels from heavy weights and increased bloodflow. Since long Covid can damage the cardiovascular system, think of blood flow restriction training as safety brakes or bumpers that lower your risk of further damage during exercise. 

Balance Exercises

Covid also affects the brain and coordination. A physical therapist can help you regain a level of balance crucial for daily tasks. Gentle balance exercises performed diligently can retrain your muscles and make you more stable on your feet. Slowly retraining your balance helps with disorienting post Covid symptoms of dizziness and can improve focus and mental health.

Persistent Covid symptoms can be difficult to understand and live with. Physical therapy South Austin is uniquely equipped to slowly and safely reduce symptom severity and restore everyday functions for improved quality of life.  

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