Our evidence-based brain health and physical rehab program for those recovering from Long Covid focuses on helping people regain their cognitive and physical abilities after a Covid-19 infection to improve their quality of life.
We understand the numerous challenges facing this patient population suffering from fatigue and "brain fog" along with a host of other issues. First and foremost we take the time to LISTEN and then BELIEVE what you say. We want to learn about you, what is going on in your life, and the numerous challenges you are facing.
Rehabilitation for Long Covid is different from what everyone considers traditional physical therapy. The new standard of care for Long Covid patients is to slow things down and not exacerbate symptoms. Often by cutting back, resting and strategizing about exercise and daily activities, over time, we can help you feel better and accomplish more. We get that your symptoms are real and they are not in your head. We also know traditional physical therapy strategies of "pushing through" don't work for Long Covid.. This specialized approach is recognized throughout the world by physical and occupational therapists using a pacing strategy that is reinforced with these 3 tenants:
Stop Rest Pace
Pacing is not something that is generally understood by the world and is a new concept in rehab. Moreover, it is not an easy thing to do or learn for patients. It actually takes a lot of practice and work. Whether you are a professional athlete or just an active individual living your life, there is no easy path to rehabbing from a Covid-19 infection and it just takes time. The good news is we will be your champion. We will be with you literally every step of the way to support and encourage you and help you in your recovery.
Therefore, we focus a lot on patient education and helping each individual manage daily activities without causing symptom exacerbation.
A Personalized Approach to Long Covid Rehabilitation
Each patient is unique and has different issues. We spend time evaluating your condition, learning about your needs and goals and then customizing a program based on what you are capable of doing and what problems need to be addressed including:
- Fatigue
- Cognitive Issues/Brain Fog including memory, executive function, concentration
- Breathing
- Pain
- Balance & Strength
- Anxiety & Sleep Issues
- Autonomic Issues including POTS
Health Assessment
We start with detailed health assessments based on the current recommended standard of care for COVID-19 patients who experience the effects of Long Covid to accurately and thoroughly document health status and history. This foundation establishes a baseline to measure improvements in our individualized treatment plans. These areas include:
- Neurological/Cognitive Status
- Fatigue
- Autonomic System
- Vestibular System
- Respiratory System
- Physiological Status
- General Strength and Balance
- Musculoskeletal System
The functional status and abilities of each patient will help set the plan of care that we will develop together and are based on the Stop Rest and Pace philosophy.
Brain Health and Rehabilitation
We are extremely proud of our brain health and rehabilitation program. It is centered on the concept of dual-tasking to increase the neuroplasticity in the brain to improve memory, attention, processing speed, and executive function. Dual-tasking is evidenced-based training that combines a physical and cognitive task. Our program features a gamified piece of equipment from SMARTfit that is interactive, fun, and challenging.
We have found it to be helpful for our Long Covid patients, but are mindful of how we are able to use it, based on the severity of the symptoms for each individual.
Identifying Treatment Areas for Brain Fog
Creyos, a leading web-based platform for the assessment of cognitive function has an online software program that we use to set baseline measurements for each patient and help us identify specific areas in need of improvement. It is an invaluable tool and allows us to track a patient's progress.
Click here to try a sample cognitive assessment
A Holistic Approach
Our personalized approach focuses on the abilities and goals of each patient. Recovery takes time and unfortunately, there is no quick fix. Our goal is to provide you with the education and tools to improve your quality of life, always mindful of fatigue and post-exertion malaise that affect many patients. Some of the treatment programs include:Consider an Evaluation or Give us a Call
Our post-acute COVID-19 Rehab Program at Atlantis Physical and Occupational Therapy is designed according to the needs of each patient with the goal of helping you return to a productive life at home or work, reduce cognitive challenges, increase activity levels, and general social functioning. Our highly experienced therapists can discuss the best pathway forward for each individual based on impairments and functional capacity.
If you or someone you know is recovering from COVID-19 and experiencing the effects of Long Covid including fatigue, loss of function, brain fog, pain, headaches, or difficulty breathing, please call us today to schedule an evaluation to determine how we can help. Call us today at 310.325.7404.
