Manual therapy capabilities for medical rehabilitation of post-COVID syndrome

Abstract

The new coronavirus infection disease caused by SARS-CoV-2 has led to COVID-19 pandemic. Various clinical manifestations and complications have resulted in long-term health consequences which are collectively referred to as the post-COVID syndrome. It manifests itself in multiple organ failure: lungs, heart, brain, which can lead to disability of patients. The COVID-19 disease is treated symptomatically. Human respiratory system is the first “target” of the COVID-19 disease. Currently, there is still no evidence base for an optimal rehabilitation program for patients with the post-COVID syndrome. Health recovery after pneumonia depends on the functional disorders that patients have. In case of the COVID-19 disease the respiratory rehabilitation aims at minimizing disability and improving the quality of life by relieving symptoms of dyspnoea, reducing anxiety, and maintaining body functions. The role of manual methods in the elimination of respiratory complications is to prevent the formation of irreversible changes in the lung tissue, to restore the pulmonary function and the function of transportation and utilization of oxygen by tissues, organs and systems of the body.