According to the World Health Organization (WHO), Covid-19 disease causes most patients to develop a respiratory infection and a feeling of fatigue, symptoms that persist after they leave hospital for a long time until they fully subside. Although they may be considered to be fully recovered, since they are no longer contagious, it actually takes some time before they are completely back to their previous state.
Physiotherapy proves particularly useful for people who have suffered from Covid-19, as it can help them both with muscle recovery after a long period of immobility, and with regulating their breathing after the strain on their respiratory system.
Respiratory physiotherapy
Respiratory physiotherapy is a broad programme that helps improve the quality of life for people who have chronic respiratory and cardiac problems. For example, Respiratory Physiotherapy can benefit sufferers of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, sarcoidosis and idiopathic pulmonary or cystic fibrosis. This intervention can also help patients who need lung surgery, both before and after surgery. However, it does not replace medical treatment but is used alongside it and medication. In particular, Respiratory Physiotherapy focuses on drainage, i.e. clearing the bronchi of secretions, and respiratory gymnastics. The patient is trained to synchronise his/her respiratory movements while at the same time his/her respiratory muscles are exercised, which he/she learns to exercise on his/her own.
Rehabilitation of patients recovering from Covid-19
The rehabilitation of patients recovering from Covid-19 requires a team effort. It is a medically supervised program in which the patient will need to work with doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and family and friends.
The physiotherapist is informed in detail by the treating physician about the patient’s condition and the precautions related to the patient’s problem. A clinical assessment is made of the patient’s general condition, but in particular the way the patient is breathing, the degree of dyspnoea he/she is experiencing, possible coughing, secretions, etc. The Respiratory Physiotherapy programme applied is always tailored to each individual patient.
Muscle rehabilitation of patients recovering from Covid-19
Patients recovering from Covid-19 disease, in addition to respiratory tract infection, have some complications in the musculoskeletal system, such as limited functional and physical capacity, muscular atrophy and weakness, etc., so a muscle rehabilitation program is deemed necessary.
A musculoskeletal rehabilitation programme consists of an individualised programme designed by the supervising physiotherapist, which can improve functional capacity, reduce symptoms and improve the patient’s quality of life.
The patient’s full rehabilitation is a dynamic process that continues after discharge from the hospital to their home and concludes with the patient achieving functional independence and returning to daily life.
