Osteopathy – how it can help ease Long Covid symptoms

Planning Spring Break or Summer Holiday?

It looks as if 2022 will return to something like normality at last, as we learn to live with COVID and get on with planning some long desired relaxation. However for some, this will be a challenge! It is estimated between 3% and 12% of people infected with coronavirus have some symptoms 12 weeks after the initial infection, which is then classified as Long COVID.

Long COVID

Long COVID is the term applied to the growing collection of symptoms affecting many people previously infected with Coronavirus. The symptoms are very wide-ranging, often occur in clusters, fluctuate over time and can affect every area of the body. They include: breathlessness, chronic fatigue, cognitive blurring (“brain fog”), muscle pain, mobility problems, effects of organ damage, psychological and emotional and many more.

Is it normal to have back pain after COVID?

While joint and muscle problems can occur anywhere in the body during or after Covid-19, back problems are among the most common. You may have had back pain episodes before getting Covid-19, and often with illness or isolation, one can become less active, thus exacerbating joint or muscle problems, especially in the back & shoulders.

In the weeks after getting Covid-19, some people have back ache or a feeling or pins and needles. As you continue to recover, many of these symptoms may also improve. You can aim for a balance of rest with as much of your normal daily activity you feel you can do, and also exercise to improve your strength and flexibility, such as stretches or yoga.

Osteopathy can help alleviate muscle & joint pain, as well as helping ribcage tightness with direct techniques & postural work to improve breathing performance.

If this all sounds very familiar, book an appointment with our therapist, Paul Lacey, who will be able to provide practical guidance on returning to work & daily activities.