As another wave of COVID hits Melbourne, we have noticed a lot of patients at BSPC experiencing some lingering symptoms.

These symptoms include:

  • Persistent coughing
  • Fatigue
  • Brain Fog
  • Sinus Pain
  • Headaches
  • Joint Pain
  • Back or Rib Pain
  • Tightness in the upper back, chest or shortness of breath**

Sometimes these symptoms can last for weeks post covid, but with the help of your Osteopath, we at BSPC can help you get back on the mend quicker.

To get a full understanding of how Osteopathy can help, first, we need to look at what happens to your body when you contract COVID. COVID can affect the linings of the nose, throat, sinuses and lung tissue. The virus can then inflame those cells and irritate the sympathetic nerves.

These nerves may cause a production of mucus, causing a blocked nose, sinus problems and tightening the neck, back and abdominal muscles. This will trigger congestion of blood and lymphatic fluids (a system that recycles and detoxifies most of the fluid in the body) and can lead to further congestion of your system.

With increased congestion, your body will respond with a coughing and sneezing reflex. Both coughing and sneezing use the respiratory muscles (Neck, Upper Back and Abdominals), and with repetitive use, they can become increasingly sore and fatigued, just as your legs would with exercise. If this is prolonged, the muscles can become tight and pull on ribs causing strains in the ribcage, upper back region or neck.

This is where your Osteopath can help!

 

How Can An Osteo Help?

There is no current cure for the COVID; however, Osteopathy may help alleviate the symptoms and speed up recovery by looking at the causes.

According to Osteopathic principles, the body possesses complex mechanisms to heal itself from injury. In times of illness, when a part of the body is functioning poorly, other parts of the body will compensate for the dysfunction. During this compensatory process, new dysfunctions may arise (pain, stiffness, headaches, persistent cough).

Your Osteopath will aim to restore the body’s self-healing capacity by decreasing the compensation patterns, this will therefore decrease pain and symptoms associated with the virus and increase the ability of the lymphatic system, to enhance the immune system’s capacity to flush COVID out of your body faster.

Your Osteopath will tailor your treatment based on your presenting symptoms and will individualise your treatment to your specific needs on the day.

Osteopathic techniques may include:

  • Soft tissue massage
  • Muscle stretching
  • Joint mobilisation
  • Joint Manipulations
  • Lymphatic drainage techniques (Indirect/Craniosacral)
  • Exercise Prescription
  • And much more!

Intrigued by this service?* To see our team of highly skilled Osteopaths, either call the clinic on 9836 7000 or follow the link to book online!

*booking is only available for those with a negative COVID RAT test.
**Restricted breathing due to muscle tightness, If you are experiencing tightness in your chest like you’re being crushed, arm or jaw pain, or shortness of breath, please ring 000 immediately.

Yours in health,
Hayley Higgins

 

Hayley is a talented Osteopath with a special interest in treating the long-term complications of COVID. Hayley is deeply passionate about providing holistic and individualised care for all her clients. Hayley loves to see her patients achieving their goals, and she feels great pride in assisting them to live a happier and healthier life. If you or someone you know is looking for some help with long COVID symptoms, you can contact Hayley here hayleyh@balwynsportsphysio.com.au or book online.