Welcome to Covid Physical Therapy
Categories: Start Here, Introductions
People who have survived the novel coronavirus, COVID-19, may have spent many days or weeks in the hospital or have been bedridden at home. They may have other complications from the virus that are making it hard to return to normal life.
Introduction to Supine (On Your Back) Exercises
Categories: Supine, Introductions
Exercise is an important part of COVID-19 recovery in order to regain your strength, endurance, flexibility, and ability to fully take part in all aspects of your daily life. Even if you cannot yet tolerate exercise in positions other than on your back or in bed, it is still very important to keep yourself as active as possible.
Introduction to Standing Exercises
Categories: Standing, Introductions
Exercise is an important part of COVID-19 recovery in order to regain your strength, endurance, flexibility, and ability to fully take part in all aspects of your daily life.
Introduction to Seated Exercises
Categories: Seated, Introductions
Exercise is an important part of COVID-19 recovery in order to regain your strength, endurance, flexibility, and ability to fully take part in all aspects of your daily life. Even if you cannot yet tolerate exercise standing up or moving more vigorously, it is still very important to keep yourself as active as possible.
Introduction to Pelvic & Digestive Section
Categories: Pelvic, Introductions
Learn how a hospital visit or a long, severe illness can affect your pelvic and digestive health, and what you can do about it.
Introduction to Breathing Exercises
Categories: Introductions, Breathing
Breathing exercises are an important part of COVID-19 recovery if your lung function or exercise tolerance was impacted by the virus.
Supine Absolute Basics – "The Bare Minimum"
Categories: Start Here, Supine, Exercise
Some of the absolute basic exercises that should be performed if you are bed-bound include ankle pumps, heel slides and rolling from side to side to change position. Doing these exercises regularly several times a day will help from developing blood clots, pressure ulcers or bedsores, and contractures (shortened, tight muscles).
Supine Belly Breathing
Categories: Start Here, Breathing, Supine, Exercise
Stress and illness can affect how we breathe, impacting our digestion, cardiac and pulmonary function, nervous system and overall health. Luckily, we can control how and where we breathe in our bodies to change this.
Getting Out of Bed (Supine Log Roll)
Categories: Start Here, Supine, How To, Exercise
The 'log roll' is a simple technique to make it easier to get in and out of bed, and is useful for those who have back pain or decreased balance and strength.
Sit-to-Stand
Categories: Start Here, Seated, Standing, How To, Exercise
This highly practical and functional exercise strengthens the muscles we need to be able to safely get in and out of chairs, stand up from bed and get on and off the toilet.
Seated Stacked Breathing
Categories: Start Here, Breathing, Seated, Exercise
Stacked breathing is a technique to increase the size of the breath you are able take in. It can also improve the strength of your voice and your cough, so you can better clear out the lungs, as well as your lung flexibility.
Seated Pursed Lip Breathing
Categories: Start Here, Breathing, Seated, Exercise
Pursed lip breathing is a technique that makes breathing easier and more effective and can resolve shortness of breath caused by exercise or increased activity.
Dr. Marilyn Moffat
Category: Expert Interviews
World renowned physical therapist Marilyn Moffat sheds light on the role physical therapists must play in COVID recovery.
Dr. Jessica Larsen
Category: Expert Interviews
Clinical psychologist Dr. Jessica Larsen discusses COVID-related stress and trauma and when and how to get the help you need.
Dr. Phillip Mirian
Category: Expert Interviews
Frontline physical therapist Dr. Phillip Mirian speaks about treating COVID-19 patients, and what to do once you are back home.
Prone Hip Extension
Use this exercise to strengthen your back and your bottom so movements like standing up, climbing stairs and walking feel easier.
Seated Back Stretch
This back stretch helps mobilize along the whole length of the spine. It is a seated version of the 'cat/cow' yoga pose.
Seated Calf Raises & Marching
These exercises improve knee and hip flexibility as well as the circulation in your lower legs and can help prevent blood clots.
Seated "Figure Four" Hip Stretch
This stretch can help loosen up muscles in the hip that get tight from sitting for a long time.
Seated Mid & Upper Back Stretch (with a ball)
This stretch can improve the mobility all along the upper and midback, helping with breathing, posture and resolving mid and upper back pain or stiffness.