The Value of Physiotherapy Input into Lon
By Colette Owen BSc MSc HCPC MCSP Clinical Director at Bespoke Wellbe
Introduction
L
ong Covid, or Post-COVID 19 syndrome, is defined as symptoms that persist for more
than four weeks after the first suspected COVID-19 infection that are not explained by something else (NICE guideline NG188, Oct 2020). Recent stats from the REACT project at Imperial College, London suggest that over 2 million UK adults are living with Long Covid.
are most likely to be affected, and the
sharing of material from
TUC survey of over 3 500 people report
free-access research and
that of those reporting Long Covid
support groups for those
symptoms, the response from employers
Long Covid and those in
has been varied with 52% experiencing
providing services.
some form of discrimination or disadvantage.
who are living with Long
around for that long. Long Covid was
referring to research evi
starting to be recognised in June,
as possible, the author's
2020 (Carfi et al 20) with NICE
providing a virtual-Long
guidelines published in December 2020.
will also be shared.
Studies suggest that Long Covid can
is limited understanding of how Long
occur regardless of the intensity of the
Covid presents and how best to manage,
initial Covid-19 infection, with the
or even recover from. As a patient with
mechanism still relatively unknown.
Long Covid said “It’s not like I’ve
Hypotheses include cellular metabolic
broken my leg. Doctors and others know
dysfunction (Miller et al, 20), viral
what to do with a broken leg”.
hyperactive immune response (Afrin et al, 20).
Physiotherapists are well-placed to lead and provide Long Covid interventions. Physiotherapists promote a holistic
Long Covid can affect all body systems,
view, recognising the impact of multi-
with the most commonly reported being
physical systems and mental health on a
fatigue, chest pressure/ pain,
person's health. Physiotherapists are
breathlessness, loss of taste and smell
trained in recognising and managing
and difficulties concentrating (“brain
acute and long term conditions from
fog”) (ONS, 2021; Ziauddeen et al,
Neurology to Respiratory to
2021). Symptoms can overlap, relapse
Musculoskeletal systems and everything
and return often with no obvious
in between.
triggers.
Physiotherapists are adaptable and can
65% of those surveyed by the Office of
see the bigger picture, and with other
National Statistics report an adverse
healthcare professional groups, have
impact on day to day activities. This
been quick to respond during the Covid
could be from having a shower to
pandemic. One positive from the
attending work. People of a working age
pandemic has been the easier access and
18
OH TODAY
Winter 2021
Long Covid support for w
Covid-19 and Long Covid have not been
Being a new condition does mean there
persistence (Hu et al, 20) and continued
The article will focus on
Providing Long Support
In a very short space a lot we know about L however there is also we do not.