Many people who are recovering from COVID-19, particularly those with severe symptoms, are challenged with issues including shortness of breath, loss of mobility, loss of balance leading to increased fall risk, general fatigue, muscle aches, and an inability to perform everyday tasks. One of the biggest questions and concerns from individuals who are recovering from COVID-19 is the question of whether or not they’ll be able to return to normal function and have the capacity to perform everyday tasks. A structured plan and program, like the Results Physiotherapy Post COVID Treatment, can help patients overcome some of the more lasting and negative effects of the COVID virus.
This was particularly true of COVID-19 patient Allison, who shares her journey through COVID from initial symptoms and hospitalization to her tough return to work and physical activity with the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA).
“Saturday night — just over a week after experiencing those first symptoms of slight fatigue — I was deteriorating quickly. My fever stayed around 100-101, pulse ox was in the upper 80s, and I became extremely dizzy. The weakness was unbelievable. My husband was up all night with me. Sleep wasn’t a possibility. I was unable to lie down due to the shortness of breath. Early Sunday morning we headed back to the ED.
“I have never felt so bad in so many different areas. My breathing, my dizziness, my stomach issues, lost taste and smell — and so much weakness. The results of my test were positive. A CT scan also revealed that I had pneumonia, and I was dehydrated from the days of GI distress I had been enduring. I was shocked and amazed at how quickly the weakness and deconditioning had set in. Walking 15 feet was my max, while only 10 days before I could run a mile without difficulty and walk three miles quickly without a thought.
“A week after discharge, I was weaker than ever, dealing with severe vertigo, no appetite, brain fog, and an extreme lack of tolerance to any activity. I was walking daily around our driveway, but there was no noticeable upward trajectory in my tolerance. I swam (float and kick my feet) around our pool every day and attempted some therapeutic exercise in the water. These basic activities required a minimum of three naps per day. My kids joked and said it was a good day when I only napped twice. Over the next several weeks I progressed my activity as I could tolerate and gradually gained functional strength.
“The first day I returned [to work], I planned on staying four hours. I made it to two. When I got home, I collapsed in the recliner and slept until evening. My limbs felt like they weighed 50 pounds each. It was indescribable. I struggled a lot for that next month. I came home and napped or rested on the couch daily. Around mid-September, I began feeling more normal at work.
“Five months after my diagnosis, I can tolerate 30 minutes of yoga or 30 minutes of slow-paced, no-incline walking three days a week. I can work six to seven hours, with occasional rest, three days a week. That is my max.”
Results Physiotherapy’s post-covid recovery services allow patients like Allison to return to their lifestyle through an 8 week, 4 stage program delivered by our highly skilled physical therapists either in person or through Virtual Therapy.
Our physical therapists are experts in musculoskeletal examinations and functional assessment and are well trained in respiratory assessments and treatments. With our COVID-19 Recovery program, we can help you to regain not only muscle strength but stamina for daily actives.
