Physical Therapy & COVID-19

Physical Therapy & COVID-19

Author: Angela Page, PT

By now, everyone is aware of the seriousness of COVID-19.  Most people are also aware of the range of symptoms that may be experienced by someone infected with the virus.  But what everyone may not know is just how long these symptoms may persist.

Wearing a mask and social distancing may have seemed like the worst thing that could happen, but imagine having the virus and being so fatigued and weak that you can’t even get out of bed.  Now imagine that six months later, you still can’t walk for more than 15 minutes without experiencing shortness of breath.  Or you still have to take frequent breaks while doing housework because you just don’t have the strength to get it all done.  Or perhaps you’re still experiencing joint pain or stiffness that’s making daily tasks seem unbearable.

New research is showing that these lingering effects of COVID are more common than we thought and that they are having a tremendous impact on patients’ quality of life.  Weakness, fatigue, and pain are real problems.  The good news is that there is help.  The role of Physical Therapy in reducing pain, improving strength and increasing endurance is well-established.  Physical Therapists always strive to maximize patient function and thereby improve quality of life.  We know that structured exercise helps to reduce your body’s inflammation and boost your immune system.  By working with our patients to establish individualized exercise programs that address your goals, we can get you back to where you want to be sooner rather than later.

The Physical Therapists at Woman’s Hospital have over 75 years combined experience working with patients just like you.  We provide high-quality, one-on-one therapy for men and women in a safe and clean environment at Woman’s Center for Wellness.  We also offer a supervised medical exercise program for patients who need a little extra guidance after they complete therapy.  If you’re tired of being tired but not sure where to begin, contact Woman’s Physical Therapy department today by visiting womans.org/therapy or calling 225-924-8766.