Post COVID-19 Rehab

In recent weeks we have observed that rehabilitation needs for post COVID-19 are increasing as we receive referrals for patients that are suffering from post COVID-19 symptoms. Many patients we see are concerned about their symptoms and the repercussions for their long-term health.

What is Long COVID?

For most people the coronavirus is a short-term illness that consists of mild flu-like symptoms, whereas long COVID describes having more severe symptoms like fatigue and a cough that can last weeks and months after their initial symptoms.

Commonly patients who have suffered from severe cases of COVID-19 experience permanent damage to their lungs usually as a result of pneumonia and respiratory failure caused by the virus. However, as we learn more about coronavirus and long COVIDwe are discovering that it can affect patients in a variety of ways such as increased risk of blood-clots which in turn can cause further complications such asdeep vein thrombosis, heart attacks and stroke.

What are the symptoms of Long COVID?

Many of patients we see at Ascot Rehabilitation are initially reluctant to seek help for their symptoms of long COVID as they do not experience symptoms all of the time. Symptoms are often felt sporadically and “come and go”. Symptoms can also affect patients who did not suffer acute or serious symptoms in the initial phase of coronavirus or when they were first diagnosed. It is not necessary to have required a hospital admission to suffer from Long COVID.

Symptoms of Long COVID include but not limited to:

Respiratory symptoms

• Breathlessness
• Cough

Cardiovascular symptoms

• Chest tightness
• Chest pain
• Palpitations

Generalised symptoms

• Fatigue
• Fever
• Pain

Neurological symptoms

• Cognitive impairment (‘brain fog’, loss of concentration or memory issues)
• Headache
• Sleep disturbance
• Peripheral neuropathy symptoms (pins and needles and numbness)
• Dizziness

How can Ascot Rehabilitation help those post COVID?

Post COVID patients can be affected in a variety of ways and therefore the rehabilitation pathway and coordinated networks will vary depending on the individuals rehabilitation needs. Moreover, the same patient will require different services at different stages in their recovery. At Ascot Rehabilitation we treat patients in need of post COVID treatment, from all over the world.

All of our therapists, carers, nurses and doctors work closely together using a transdisciplinary approach in order to ensure goals and objectives are addressed in all of our sessions and transferred into the patient’s daily life. As a team our focus is to help individuals to recognise, decide and work towards their goals and what is important to them. We want to help patients to return back to their highest level of independence in order to maintain a good quality of life.

Our world-class treatment facilities include the following services.

Nursing

• Assistance with personal care and daily routines
• Assessment and management of bladder and bowel difficulties e.g. incontinence, constipation
• Symptom management and control in conjunction with named Consultant
• Medication management in conjunction with named Consultant

Neurophysiotherapy

• Treats patients with neurological conditions that affect their ability to transfer and move around their environment safely.
• To assess and provide therapy to those who have impairments or changes to their strength and balance
• Provide exercises for general reconditioning after a period of illness
• Provide elements of pulmonary rehabilitation for those with ongoing breathing difficulties
• Fatigue management

Speech and Language Therapy

• Provides assessment and therapy to patients with communication difficulties such as word finding difficulties, issues with reading or any changes to their speech intelligibility or voice.
• Provide assessment and therapy to patients that are having difficulties swallowing or eating as they normally would.
• Alongside our ENT consultant we are able to offer nasoendoscopy assessment to help evaluate a patients swallowing and voice, as well as other ENT services such as vocal cord medialisation.

Neuropsychology and Clinical Psychology

• Treats patients who have been affected by an illness which has changed the way they think, feel and behave
• To help the patient and their family better cope with the impact the condition may have

Occupational Therapy

• Treat patients whose daily lives have been impacted by physical, mental and cognitive impairments
• To help the patient function as independently as possible and overcome any permanent loss or reduced physical, cognitive, mental or sensory function.
• We look at patients day to day function, at home, work and leisure.
• We will support your rehabilitation and look at adaptations and compensatory strategies if required in your environments to support your independence.
• We also work with patients on Fatigue management.

Creative Movement Therapy (Dance Therapy)

• A psychotherapeutic framework to treat any patient affected physically, emotionally and cognitively by building a mind-body connection
• For stress reduction, mood management and to treat fatigue.

Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy

• Treats patients with orthopaedic and rheumatological conditions affecting joints, muscles, ligaments and tendons
• To alleviate and help recover patients with a range of musculoskeletal injuries such as back pain.

Yoga, Tai Chi, Pilates

• Treats patients affected by weakness, fatigue, general mental well-being and pain
• To alleviate symptoms of illness and injury.

Contact Us

Our rehabilitation units our located in Surrey and London. We are able to offer inpatient, outpatient and outreach services.

For more information on post COVID-19 rehab and to book an appointment at one of our first-class rehabilitation centres click here.