Long Covid (LC) is defined as “not recovering [for] several weeks or months following the start of symptoms that were suggestive of COVID-19, whether you were tested or not.”

An Office for National Statistics survey (6th December 2021) suggests about 1.3 million people in the UK have reported unwellness lasting more than 4 weeks after their initial COVID-19 infection.

Evidence for treatment and management is ongoing and we will return to this post as new evidence and guidelines emerge. This blog was last updated on 19th January 2022.

Symptoms of Long Covid

The most common symptom is profound fatigue following Covid infection. For those who develop LC, the initial symptoms are often mild and they may not require hospitalisation.

A survey of over 1500 LC sufferers showed that a number of symptoms are typical symptoms that might prompt someone to see an osteopath:

• 2/3 of respondents reported muscle aches

• More than 1/2 reported headaches or an inability to exercise

• Over 1/3 reported joint pains

• 200+ people reported upper or lower back pain

Data suggests that on average, 1/7 of people have symptoms for a month or more, and 1/20 have them for two. LC seems to be more prominent in 35-69 year olds, women, people with underlying conditions such as asthma, people working in health, social care and education and those with a higher BMI.

What can be done for Long Covid?

Management strategies are still emerging, but they appear to be multi-disciplinary (NICE guidelines Nov. 2021). This makes sense, as LC affects so many different systems. As long as you are safe for us to treat, osteopathy could help some of your symptoms. For example, breathing techniques are recommended to help manage a chronic cough. We can work with you on this.

Returning to activity after Covid can be a slow process. The combination of fatigue and breathlessness can be very limiting. Despite frustration, it’s important to take it slow. Overexertion can exacerbate symptoms of fatigue, so a tailored exercise routine can help smooth the road to recovery. As you improve, we can build on your progress and increase your exercise.

Osteopathy may be able to provide some relief of the musculoskeletal symptoms. As mentioned above, headaches are a relatively common symptom of LC. This may be a side effect of altered breathing. After prolonged coughing, the diaphragm can be tight and less efficient, requiring muscles in the neck and shoulders to work harder. These muscles can cause headaches when too tight. By working on these strains, we may be able to help with the headaches.

Joint pain and inflammation has not been deeply investigated, but they are symptoms that appear frequently enough to be significant. We may be able to help you manage these symptoms.

Don’t underestimate the value of a listening ear! Osteopathic sessions are relatively long, and there is time to discuss how you are feeling with your osteopath. We are not counsellors, but we can listen without judgment and refer on to an appropriate clinician if appropriate.

If you think you have Long Covid and would like to see if we can help, make an appointment online here. Please follow national guidelines and do not come to clinic if you may still be contagious. Contact us before your appointment if you are unsure.