Physical Therapists See Long-Haul Symptoms In Recovered COVID-19 Patients

Physical therapists are seeing more recovered COVID patients needing help dealing with the long-term effects of the virus. 

According to the CDC, one-third of COVID patients could be dealing with long-term effects, including fatigue, shortness of breath, and joint pain, something Jerry Foshee saw after his stint in the ICU with COVID-19. 

"The virus makes you feel like you are drowning. I couldn't get enough air in my lungs to talk," said Jerry Foshee. 

After his time in the ICU, he was left without the stamina to live his normal life. 

"If I walked to the mailbox, I would have to sleep an hour and hour half," said Foshee. 

He started meeting with a physical therapist, who then began to see more and more patients needing this long-haul care. 

"We look at their symptoms. It could be anything from joint pain, respiratory, endurance, fall risk," said Carrie Galyon with Physical Therapy Central. 

The goal for Physical Therapy Central is simple, get their patients back to the life they once knew. 

"We start with a simple sit-to-stand to gain endurance and balance. We progress to the bike, treadmill, walking," said Galyon. 

She says knowledge and accountability for recovering COVID patients is the difference a physical therapist makes compared to recovering on your own. 

"I remember the first time I walked around here. I felt like I just won an Olympic medal. You get better each day," said Foshee. 

Foshee can work, enjoy his grandchildren and walk without feeling exhausted.