Physical therapy protocol for long Covid
I am currently receiving a special long Covid physical therapy directed at improving my fatigue and brain fog. This protocol is also good for POTS, which luckily I don’t have. So far, the therapy involves doing resonant breathing exercises performed lying down with no special equipment. My immediate response when learning this was “why didn’t anybody tell me this when they put me on the waitlist for the Long Covid clinic five months ago?” so I decided there’s no reason anyone on this board shouldn’t benefit.
Disclaimer: I am not a medical professional, I am just passing along helpful information. FYI – I don’t have any pre-existing heart or lung issues other than asthma.
I have attached a document where I have summarized information from multiple sources. It includes the science and rationale behind the therapy, the exact protocol for the first four weeks, and links to research papers supporting its use.
Both my long Covid doctor and physical therapist are very optimistic about the improvement that most people get from faithfully doing this therapy. In the few weeks I have been doing it, I already feel more clearheaded and better able to focus and/or talk for a longer time. It is satisfying that you can actually measure the results (details in the document). I have seen clear improvement already.
I would appreciate hearing about any prior experience with this kind of therapy as well as from anyone starting it for the first time.
One more thing, which I already posted on another thread…
The most emphatic recommendation my long Covid doctor made to me was to pace myself. He said that pushing too hard and then crashing comes at a greater cost than just having to rest and recover, but that it would set back my recovery. He explained something about mitochondria, but I have to admit I was too tired at that point to follow. My Long Covid physical therapist says it’s like a loan shark when you borrow energy – it comes at a very, very high interest rate. I know it’s not always easy to pace, but it’s easier when you know that slowing down for now will help you recover faster.
PT Protocol for Long Covid v1 (PT-Protocol-for-Long-Covid-v1.pdf)
Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Post-COVID Recovery & COVID-19 Support Group.
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@debbiedsf
LC, CFS for six years. Wake up 3 to 4 times a night. Exhausted when I get out of bed.
Neurologist requested Sleep Study.
I failed the at home sleep study, so I was scheduled for in person hospital sleep study.
Sleep APNA - obstructive, central and mixed. Oxygen level drops to low of 77% - while I was on connected to the sleep machine. I’m also wondering if it might be lower without the sleep machine. Note: while I'm awake 93-97%.
Best wishes,
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1 Reaction@fourleaf
So sorry you’ve been suffering for so long. I hope that sleep study results in a helpful intervention. It would be interesting to hear their opinion on resonant breathing exercises for your situation.
My occupational therapist shared a document on pacing and how to conserve energy. It includes helpful tips for various activities to conserve energy. You may be familiar with many of the tips, but I figure if you only get an idea or two and it saves you energy and a crash, it’s worth it. See attached PDF.
Pacing and energy conservation (Pacing-and-energy-conservation-.pdf)
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3 ReactionsJust started with PT program with a group that says they have experience in fibromyalgia. I felt my recovery had plateaued and I was ready for PT and the symptoms of LC and fibromyalgia are close enough. Will see how it goes 🤞🏼🙏
@dawg
I hope it makes a difference for you. Please let me know if your PT is similar to what I posted, or if there’s any other strategies that might be helpful for the rest of us.
My program is less about pacing as it is slow easy exercises, starting with breathing, then push ups against the wall, getting up and down from the chair and finally standing leg lifts (very slow in place marching lifting your knee up to your waist). it’s a 15 minute program. I understand even this is too much for many. I couldn’t have done it 18 months ago, but I also haven’t been experiencing PEM like I used to. 🙏🏻🤞🏻🤞🏻