What is Long-COVID

The Post COVID condition, also known as "Long-COVID," is a phenomenon that has affected many individuals who have recovered from the initial COVID-19 infection. This condition is characterised by the persistence of new or unexplained symptoms that last for more than 12 weeks after the initial infection.

Long-COVID is not just a mild extension of the acute disease. The symptoms of Long COVID can be incredibly diverse and affect multiple parts of the body. They can range from hardly noticeable to debilitating, making it difficult for those affected to carry out the simplest daily activities. Symptoms may also fluctuate unpredictably leaving people frustrated and confused.

Long-COVID can affect anyone, regardless of the severity of their initial COVID-19 infection or whether they have been vaccinated against the disease. Unfortunately, there is no one specific test for Long COVID, and a definite diagnosis requires an expert assessment from a health care professional, such as a physician or general practitioner. 

At ATUNE Long COVID clinic, we don't require a definitive diagnosis. You can be referred from your doctor, or you can contact us yourself if you have symptoms that are still present more than 12 weeks after your COVID-19 infection, and the symptoms are severe enough to affect your daily life. For contact information

If you have significant symptoms 4 weeks after a COVID-19 infection, so-called "medium COVID",  treatment may prevent long COVID developing. You are welcome to contact us to consider your options even if you have not reached 12 weeks post infection.

We have you complete a thorough assessment of the severity of your symptoms, and if they are not improving reasonably quickly, we will request your doctor to run some tests to make sure you don't have other conditions that are causing these symptoms.

For more information on long COVID, please read the WHO Coronavirus disease (COVID-19): Post COVID 19 condition page and watch the short "What are common Long COVID symptoms" video.

What are the symptoms of Long COVID?

Common symptoms can include:

• Fatigue

• Lethargy

• Shortness of breath

• Chest pain or discomfort

• Cough

• "Brain fog" or difficulty thinking clearly

• Headache

• Loss of smell or taste

• Hair loss

• Poor concentration

• Sleep disturbance

• Heart palpitations (racing heartbeat)

• Reduced exercise tolerance

For more information go to Symptoms 

What should I do if I experience these symptoms?

We recommend that you first visit your GP for an initial assessment. Based on their findings, they may request further investigations to help determine the cause of your symptoms. 

While a doctor's referral is not required for you to join our clinic, it's important to note that your symptoms may be indicative of other conditions besides Long COVID. To ensure an accurate diagnosis, we recommend consulting with your GP. 

If you do visit your doctor, please share this link with them for more Information for referring physicians.

How can I manage Long COVID?

Resources are available to assist you with managing your physical and emotional recovery including:

World Health Organisation (WHO) - information sheets and self-management strategies

National Health Service (NHS UK) - COVID Recovery Effects on Your Mind and the Effects on Your Body.

What is the ATUNE's Long COVID Clinic?

The ATUNE Long COVID clinic is an integrated, multi-disciplinary team of allied health professionals providing an outpatient service to address the symptoms of Long COVID to patients living in Newcastle and Lake Macquarie.

The service includes:

• Breathing Therapist

• Exercise Physiologist

• Naturopath

• Nutritionist/Dietitian

• Osteopath (Perrin technique)

• Musculoskeletal Physiotherapist

• Pulmonary Physiotherapist

• Psychologist

• Thermotherapist

• General Practitioner

Our Approach

Weekly Support Group

These facilitated meetings are to provide you with social support and appropriate education for your clinical needs while you recover. 

Our approach has two stages:

Pre-hab

First, we provide three to six weeks of therapy focused on relieving symptoms, increasing energy and reducing debility. Once this "pre-rehabilitation" stage is complete, and you are ready, we move on to rehabilitation towards getting your life back to normal.

Our approach during the pre-hab stage:

• We believe in starting treatment as early as possible for the quickest and smoother recovery.

• Our treatment plans are tailored to each individual, as no two people have the same needs or responses to treatment.

• We use a combination of therapies, as no single therapy can effectively relieve this complex condition. Even therapies that may not work alone, can be effective when combined.

For more on the prehab stage go to 4 Principles for Recovering and Unlock the Power

Rehabilitation

Rehabilitation may include providing information, education, supported self-management, peer support, symptom management strategies, and physical rehabilitation. Our Long COVID clinic uses a multi-disciplinary approach to guide the rehabilitation process, which includes both physical and psychological aspects of management. This includes

• Setting goals for your rehabilitation based on an initial assessment, which may lead to further investigations.

• Assisting you and providing guidance throughout the recovery process.

• Helping you and giving guidance when your symptoms fluctuate.

Your Experience at ATUNE's Long COVID Clinic

We are focused on finding the best treatment for Long COVID, so we use diagnostic tools to assess each individual's degree of disability. These tools also assist us in determining the best treatment course.

Our process includes the following steps:

1. An initial free 10-minute appointment or call with one of our health professionals to assess your well-being and answer any questions you may have.

2. Completing the Symptom Burden Questionnaire, which will be provided before the intake assessment.

3. An intake assessment interview (at the cost of a physiotherapy, or naturopathy consult) where we will:

   • Review your questionnaire and  answer any questions you have 

   • Complete the intake form with more details about your COVID infection and other health issues that may be affecting your long COVID

   • Discuss your preferences and needs, and 

   • Together we will plan the best pathway of treatment for you. 

4. The treatment pathway includes appointments with one or more of our practitioners as required. We will begin scheduling these at the intake appointment.

5. Follow-up questionnaires will be provided at appropriate intervals to measure your response to treatment and adjust your pathway.

6. Information collation - information from your initial questionnaire and the follow-up measurements will be used to design a long COVID clinical trial.  Collecting  your data and comparing it with others will help us understand the symptom burden of people with Long COVID and track their progress over time. Additionally, the information from the personalised treatment plans will provide insight into the effectiveness of different approaches. This will be used to improve the design of a clinical trial, which aims to advance the understanding and treatment of this condition and ultimately improve the lives of those affected by long COVID.

Payment

Medicare (referral required), health fund

NDIS and other please ask for more information

Contact Us

ATUNE -  02 4954 4511

reception@atune.com.au

Where is ATUNE

52 Ada St, Cardiff NSW  Australia 2285