Long COVID is defined as the persistence of signs and symptoms, unexplained by any other diagnosis, after someone has been infected with COVID-19. It can cause fatigue, shortness of breath and pain, among other symptoms. Many physiotherapists and occupational therapists have developed hands-on expertise in treating your symptoms and guiding you in your recovery.
What is long COVID?
Long COVID (4 weeks post infection) or Post COVID-19 Syndrome (PCS-19, 12 weeks post infection) is defined as the persistence of signs and symptoms, unexplained by any other diagnosis, after infection with COVID-19.
Between 10% and 50% of people with COVID-19 will be affected(1).
There are about 200 potential symptoms, the most common and persistent of which are(2):
- Fatigue
- Shortness of breath
- Memory problems
- Sleep problems
- Anxiety
- Hair loss
- Muscle pain
- Joint pain
- Headaches
- Coughing
- Chest pain
- Taste impairment
- Smell impairment
- Diarrhea
The majority of long-term sufferers report moderate to severe problems in their daily activities after six months(3).
How do you know if you have long COVID?
Long COVID occurs as a result of infection with COVID-19. If your symptoms persist or your condition worsens, you should first consult your doctor, who will evaluate your condition and make a diagnosis. Examinations such as blood tests or X-rays are not always necessary.
How to treat long COVID?
Which professional should you consult?
We recommend that you see a physiotherapist or occupational therapist who has developed hands-on expertise in treating this condition. Contact us to consult one of our experts.
In most cases, your treatment will be carried out by an interdisciplinary team. The recommended treatments may vary according to your symptoms, but will mainly target restoring the balance within your body's systems through education, lifestyle and sleep hygiene, progressive activation and specific treatments related to your condition. The duration of treatments may vary from a few weeks to several months.
You've been diagnosed with long COVID? Here is how to consult one of our experts.
- Call our Customer Centre at 1-855-743-9872. A customer service agent will direct you to a trained health professional.
- A first meeting will follow, either virtually or in one of our clinics, to help us evaluate your condition and take an inventory of your symptoms. The therapist will then determine with you the appropriate treatment plan according to your condition (such as type of interventions, frequency of sessions, referral to another professional, etc.).
YOU
KNOW?All of PhysioExtra therapists who treat clients with long COVID have been specifically trained through the PhysioExtra Academy. This program was designed by Mickaël Vachon, Medical Director, Health and Innovation at PhysioExtra, based on the latest research data.
References
(1) National Institute for Health Care Excellence, 2020; Van Kessel et al., 2022.
(2) Aiyegbusi et al., 2021.
(3) National Institute for Health Care Excellence, 2020.
