Self Assessment
Take out 10 minutes assessment so our care providers can develop a recovery program tailored to you.
Long COVID
Is this the new public health crisis?
Symptoms of Long COVID
Symptoms can be unique to the individual, episodic and very diverse. Some common symptoms are.
- Fatigue
- Exhaustion
- Post exertional malaise
- Chest tightness and pain
- Shortness of breath
- Headaches
- Sweats
- Brain fog
- Cognitive impairment
Who is more susceptible to long COVID?
- People who had severe COVID-19
- 35–49-year-old
- People with more underlying health issues
- Higher body mass index
- Females
The worldwide prevalence of long COVID is thought to be around 37%.
Physiotherapy has a significant role to play in the assessment and management of Long COVID. Traditional physiotherapy management can potentially exacerbate some of the symptoms of Long COVID, therefore, it is essential that you engage the right physiotherapists to help you start managing your Long COVID and get back to feeling ‘normal’.
Symptoms
If any ‘Red Flags’ noted below or other concerning symptoms occur, a medical practitioner should be consulted immediately.
Difficulty breathing
Fainting or passing out
Psychological / Mental Health
Chest Pains
Dull, sharp, central of left sided with radiation to back, neck and arms.
UnusUally High Heart Rate
During exercise or slow heart rate recovery. Noted on cessation of exercise and compared to previous known heart rate responses.
Persistent Headaches
Fatigue
Overall or excessive fatigue / failure to recover
Unusually High Rated Perceived Exertion
For given exercise intensity compared with previous known Rated Perceived Exertion responses.
What to Expect
Long COVID Assessment includes:
- Oxygen saturation
- Heart rate and blood pressure testing
- Respiratory rate testing
- Inhalation and exhalation breath hold testing
- Exertional heart rate testing (as applicable to each patient)
- Full nasal assessment
- Full respiratory assessment
- Screen for lifestyle factors that may be contributing to their symptoms
Initial assessment: 1 hour
Followed up with an individualised report including initial management plan.
Two follow ups face to face (10days post first assessment) and then dependant on patient progress. One telehealth 1 month after returning to exercise.
Disclaimer: We tailor each assessment to the presentation/personal needs of the individual. If you do not need this number of sessions, your cost will be reduced. If further sessions are required, we will inform you of the increase in charge.
Our Long-COVID Response Team
Grace Crowley
- Bachelor of Physiotherapy (Otago University)
- Bradcliff Breathing practitioner
- Long COVID assessment and treatment management
- Diagnostic musculoskeletal ultrasound
- High Performance Sport Physiotherapist
- Dry needling
I grew up in Taranaki, attended SHGC and then went to Dunedin to study physiotherapy. I have a passion for sport, both playing and working with athletes.
I have a real drive to be current with education, assessment, management, and treatment techniques to ensure the best outcomes for my patients.
I have recently had great satisfaction from treating a range of people with breathing pattern disorders, post COVID return to activity and now branching out into the assessment, management and treatment of people suffering from the symptoms and effects of long COVID.
Now is a great time to come and see me for a tailored COVID and Long COVID assessment.
Lydia Radich
- Bachelor of Physiotherapy (Otago University)
- Bradcliff Breathing practitioner
- Long COVID assessment and treatment management
- Post Graduate Certificate Acupuncture
I have been a physiotherapist for 14 years and during this time I have had the pleasure of learning and working with some of the best.
I have been involved in a wide range of sports personally and professionally and have treated some spectacular humans along the way. Physiotherapy has given me an amazing amount of variation, satisfaction, joy, challenges, and every emotion possible.
My new passion is assessing and treating breathing pattern disorders and the effects of COVID and long COVID. Breathing well is at the core of peak performance. It does not matter who you are, what you do, everyone needs to breathe well.
I am passionate about getting to the base of the issue when it comes to assessing and treating any breathing pattern disorder or musculoskeletal injury. We are all unique and deserve to have healthcare individualised to our own needs.
GP Referral
We are now taking referrals for patients experiencing ongoing issues post COVID.
Some of the typical symptoms we are seeing, and treating are.
- SOB/Dyspnoea
- Fatigue
- Chest pain/Palpitations
- Increased resting heart rate
- Memory, concentration, or sleep problems
- Persistent headaches
- Exertional light-headedness/syncope
- Difficulty returning to pre-COVID level of fitness
If you would like to refer a patient to us, please click on the quick and easy referral button below.
One of our friendly and professional team will be in touch with your patient to make an appointment to start their journey to better management of their Long COVID symptoms.