Post COVID-19 Recovery and Rehabilitation
Estimated reading time: 2 minutes
Harvard University describes that for post COVID-19 therapy and rehabilitation, “…formal physical therapy programs performed “significantly better” than informal and unstructured exercise or no exercise at all.”
It has been a tough year for all of us. 2020 will be the year that goes down in history as the year of the COVID-19 pandemic. Many Americans lost their lives to this virus, and many more were hospitalized.
Those who are trying to recover are often dealing with chronic ailments, further complicating matters. The pandemic has been a wakeup call for us all. A call to put focus on our own health.
We have learned regular exercise and maintaining our weight, can help boost our immune system. But what can we do if we still end up contracting COVID-19? What is our recovery and rehabilitation plan long term?
Clinicians from Harvard Medical School evaluated different discharge rehab scenarios for post-covid-19 patients. From the write up: “Alfred C. Gellhorn, principal investigator of the study and a specialist at Weill Cornell Medicine, added that formal physical therapy programs performed “significantly better” than informal and unstructured exercise or no exercise at all”.
Physical therapists are holistic health care practitioners who treat the whole person. Not only can physical therapy be effective in directly rehabilitating those recovering from COVID-19, but it can also help you manage these other chronic health afflictions.
This pandemic has brought about new ways to expand access to physical therapy. With advancements in technology, treatment is not confined to a single location. Tele-health has emerged as a comparable medium for attending physical therapy while under the constrains of a pandemic. This gives formal physical therapy programs the upper hand in treating patients during these times.
It’s imperative we continue to move our bodies to stay healthy. Especially for recovery and rehabilitation therapy after having COVID-19.
Now is the time to take matters into your own hands. Talk to your doctor or trusted health care provider about a referral to physical therapy. Show them the facts from the Harvard University study cited above. Formal physical therapy is more effective than general fitness on your own or with your personal trainer. Learn more about our services here.
By Mark Hyland, STI Clinical Director
