www. Char l es tonPhys i c i ans . com | www.Hea l thL i nksChar l es ton . com | 57 treatment includes raising sodium intake, wearing compression garments and gradually adding exercise. Beta blockers, specifically propranolol, may be prescribed to slow the heart rate and improve symptoms. Hayes Barnett, DPT, PT, clinic manager at CORA Physical Therapy in West Ashley, treats long-haul COVID patients who often have increased heart rates and exhaustion or fatigue related to activities of daily living. Other typical symptoms can include shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, headaches and dizziness, chest pain, a cough or fever and joint or muscle pain. Typical cognitive symptoms are concentration and focusing issues, brain fog, memory problems and insomnia. Barnett sees firsthand his new patients’ depression and frustration at not being able to resume their daily living activities. After a few months of battling COVID symptoms alone, their doctors have referred them for physical therapy treatments. Barnett is quick to point out that physical therapists are trained to do much more than simply address sports or accident injuries. His COVID patient load consists mostly of middle-aged to senior men and women, but he has also treated youngsters and young adults who are facing the same struggles. “For seniors, a prior medical history that includes diabetes, a higher BMI or the presence of cardiac issues is significant because long COVID can aggravate existing heart problems. Creating an effective treatment plan becomes that much more important. Also, determining prior capabilities establishes a baseline for treatment,” he explained. “Once we clarify those capabilities, we set up a plan of slow progression toward our patients’ goals, prior activity levels or whatever they are currently working on.” “As ‘specialists of movement,’ this is what we physical therapist professionals are trained to do. The average long-haul COVID patient who regularly sees us two to three times a week will observe significant improvement in one to two-and-a-half months,” he added. “If you are trying to regain your former levels of activity, the key is to do a little more each day and build up slowly. Consistently taking baby steps is much more productive in recovery from long COVID than attempting big leaps, and, sometimes, a little professional help from a qualified physical therapist can make a huge difference.”
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