Post-COVID-19 Rehabilitation

Different types of physiotherapy and rehabilitation are recommended for people in various stages of recovery: those needing hospital care, those with mild to moderate symptoms in quarantine, and those recovering from the infection. At Fizio+, our physiotherapists can help during both quarantine and recovery. For those at home, we offer online sessions, and for those in the recovery phase, we provide personalized rehab programs, either in our clinic or online, after an assessment. Many people recovering from COVID-19 experience post-viral fatigue, which also requires a special rehabilitation plan.

It is advised to engage in 30 minutes of exercise daily.

During the recovery phase, a physiotherapy program of at least 6 weeks is recommended, with sessions lasting 30–60 minutes, five times a week and the exercises will be personalized to meet individual needs and progress.

Rehabilitation during quarantine or recovery from COVID-19 (or other causes of separation) is crucial for regaining strength, mobility, and overall well-being. It helps individuals recover safely and effectively, addressing physical limitations caused by illness or inactivity.

During this period, you can primarily access online physiotherapy, where our physiotherapists supervise and guide you through the exercises.

Favoured exercises in this phase:

1. Aerobic Exercise: Walking around the house, dancing.

2. Strengthening: Exercises like squats or using medium-weight objects (8-12 exercises, 8-12 repetitions).

3. Balance: Exercises like stepping over obstacles.

4. Breathing Exercises: Focused on improving respiratory function.

These exercises are designed to help you gradually regain strength, balance, and endurance while being closely monitored by our experts.

At Fizio+, we conduct the following assessments to create the most suitable rehabilitation program for each individual:

What we do:

• Oxygen Saturation Measurement - oxygen saturation measures the percentage of oxygen in the blood, specifically how much oxygen is bound to hemoglobin. It is measured using a pulse oximeter, a device that clips onto the fingertip. Normal oxygen saturation is between 96% and 100%.

• Blood Pressure and Pulse Measurement - evaluation of circulatory health and heart rate.

• Blood Circulation Assessment - examining blood flow and vascular health.

• Passive and Active Joint Range of Motion - assessing joint flexibility and mobility.

• 6-Minute Walk Test (6MWT) -  This test measures endurance and load tolerance, which may significantly decrease due to COVID-19 illness. During the test, the individual walks at their own pace and can slow down or stop if needed. The score is based on the distance walked and the ability to walk continuously. This test can also be used to track progress during rehabilitation.

• 5x Sit-to-Stand Test - assessing lower limb muscle strength.

• Balance Tests - evaluation of postural control and stability.

• Respiratory Muscle Assessment - measuring respiratory muscle strength, testing individual muscles as well as functional muscle chains.

• Autoregulatory Exercises - exercises performed with varying weights and repetitions, where the patient determines their capacity based on their own limits.

• Manual Therapy - primarily for assessing the thoracic spine, rib joints, and intercostal muscles, with some focus on the upper limbs.

• Personalized Needs Assessment - tailored to the individual, considering factors such as whether the person is an athlete, non-athlete, etc.

• Short and Long-Term Planning - setting a clear rehabilitation plan, both for immediate and for long-term goals.

This thorough evaluation ensures a rehabilitation program that is customized for the specific needs and progress of each patient.