While 81% of covid-19 patients experience only mild to moderate and can achieve full recovery with proper medications and home treatment, some patients develop severe symptoms and need hospitalization. These patients may experience physical, cognitive complications such as fatigue, muscle weakness, heart damage, anxiety etc., for several weeks or months.
In this article, we focus on the need and benefits of physical therapy and rehabilitation for covid patients and how it aids in prompt recovery from the virus’ damaging physical and mental effects.
Rehabilitation experts help the patients recover from post-Covid impairments and get them back to the life they love. Read on to know more about the advantages of post-covid rehabilitation.
Which Patients May Need Rehabilitation After Covid-19?
COVID-19 can have a variety of adverse effects on a patient’s body. While most patients recover after experiencing mild to moderate illness, some people can develop symptoms of long Covid-19, which impairs normal functioning for weeks to months.
People at high risk of developing long covid are more likely the ones who are suffering from a chronic disease such as Diabetes, Cancer, kidney diseases, lung disease, etc.
The physical, mental and cognitive that a person may face post-covid-19 recovery includes –
- Lung Damage
- Heart damage or inflammation
- Neurological conditions that may negatively impact memory or concentration
- Blood clotting
- Anxiety, depression or trauma
- Muscle/ joint pain or loss of mobility
- Chronic fatigue
Types Of Rehabilitation Treatments For Covid-19 Recovery
Physical Therapy
Studies show that the patients who had been hospitalized may experience difficulty in resuming normal activities after their recovery.
Bed rest and long periods of immobility lead to decreased stamina, loss in muscle strength and function. Physical therapists help the patient gradually restore the functions, build up the energy, and return to their normal activities.
Pulmonary Rehabilitation
Covid-19 can leave a lasting impact on the lung function. People with existing chronic illnesses are more likely to experience such problems. Like Physical Therapy, Pulmonary rehabilitation also works to enhance function and endurance with the help of exercises that improve breathing.
Cognitive Rehabilitation
Patients with severe Covid-19 may also experience a negative impact on the nervous system, including the brain. According to some research, those with long Covid-19 may experience memory issues, trouble focusing, brain fog, loss of taste and smell etc.
Cognitive Rehabilitation treatment helps strengthen their cognitive abilities through memory training, mental exercises, psychological support etc. Doctors are working towards reducing the likelihood of these complications. Until then, CRT is the best way to control the severity and promote recovery.
Benefits Of Physical Therapy Rehabilitation after Covid-19
- Restore Function To the muscles
Being inactive for an extended period during ventilation and intensive care unit treatment due to Covid-19 can have a detrimental impact on your muscles and joints. Physical Therapists can help patients during and after their recovery in maintaining muscle function.
While the patient is in the hospital, physical therapists help them by suggesting how to change sleep positions, teaching stretches that can be performed in bed or performing passive joint motion exercises. All these practices decrease the risk of joint stiffness and muscle weakness during ventilation and intensive care treatment.
After the initial recovery, physical therapists suggest aerobic exercises and design individualized strength and endurance exercise programs depending on the patient’s muscle/joint condition.
2.Improving cardiac strength
One of the significant impacts of long covid is diminished cardiac strength, which causes difficulty in breathing. Physical therapists suggest aerobic exercises to improve cardiovascular strength and enhance lung function. Cardiovascular and pulmonary rehabilitation implement the following techniques to facilitate better breathing.
- Breathing rhythm adjustment training.
- Techniques to strengthen the breathing muscles.
- Expectoration training to help patients clear mucus from the airways and respiratory tract.
3. Endurance training
It has been observed that for some patients, fatigue and weakness can last for several weeks after recovering from Covid-19. PT exercises help the patients gradually get back to their normal functioning and alleviate fatigue and weakness by increasing the strength and endurance of their bodies.
- Occupational and speech therapy
Experienced physiotherapists leverage techniques like speech therapy and occupational therapy to enhance cognitive function and reduce the chances of impairments. These modalities focus on strategies to improve memory, concentration, energy coordination, limb function, and a variety of other tasks connected to a person’s daily functioning.
Conclusion
If you or someone you know are experiencing the effects of Covid-19 after your recovery, physical therapy and cognitive rehabilitation can help to get back to a healthier and happier you. Don’t let long Covid limit your lives. Begin your journey recovery today.
