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Return to Work After Contracting COVID-19

According to Critical Care Medicine at John Hopkins, every day of bed rest in the ICU lowers muscle strength between 3 to 11 percent over the following months and even years.1 Patients don’t have to experience a hospital stay to suffer consequences of the COVID-19 virus. Physical complications after COVID-19 can include impairments in muscle strength, cardiopulmonary function, pain, ambulation, and endurance leading to functional decline. As a leader in Physical and Occupational Rehabilitation, Athletico offers treatment for injured workers recovering from COVID-19 to help them through the physical and emotional challenges that can occur from the virus and return them to their prior level of function at work.

How We Can Help

Each injured worker is assessed, and an individualized treatment plan is created. Every clinic is equipped with a pulse oximeter to monitor oxygen saturation levels and ensure safe ranges are maintained during exercise. The COVID-19 Recovery and Rehabilitation treatment protocol may include:

  • Exercise Training
    • Ventilatory muscle strengthening
    • Upper and lower body strengthening
    • Aerobic exercise
    • Stretching
    • Balance and proprioception
    • Functional simulation
  • Education
    • Relaxation/panic control
    • Energy conservation
    • Graded exercise progression
  • Manual Therapy
    • Thoracic or chest wall mobility
    • Ventilatory muscle stretching
    • Diaphragmatic stretching/release
  • Breathing control/retraining
  • Body positioning training
  • Screening for psychosocial comorbidities that frequently coincide with fatigue symptoms

Medical Clearance Needed

In order for an injured worker recovering from COVID-19 to be treated in our clinics, the injured worker must first have medical clearance and pass Athletico’s patient screening protocol. The injured worker must also pass the CDC guidelines for persons with COVID-19 under isolation or for persons who have not had COVID-19 symptoms but tested positive and are under isolation.

In order for a recovering COVID-19 injured worker to be treated via telehealth, the injured worker must first have medical clearance and pass the CDC guidelines for persons with COVID-19 under isolation or for persons who have not had COVID-19 symptoms but tested positive and are under isolation.

Helping Injured Workers Return to Work

If you have an injured worker recovering from COVID-19 that is experiencing fatigue and a loss of function due to the virus, refer them to Athletico to be seen in-clinic or virtually through our telehealth platform.

Why You Should Refer to Athletico Physical Therapy for Injured Workers Recovering from COVID-19

  • We have highly skilled clinicians trained in rehabilitating those recovering from COVID-19
  • We adhere to clinical practice guidelines to improve outcomes
  • We facilitate communication between all parties
  • Our Work Comp customer service team will place the referral for you through the network of your choice
  • We have high patient satisfaction – 98% of Athletico patients would recommend us to their family and friends
  • We have flexible hours that allow for early morning, evening and Saturday appointments
  • We have telehealth appointments available

Contact Our Working 4 U® Team

Click Here To Refer A Patient

Email Work4U@athletico.com

Call 888-8-WORK4U (888-896-7548)

Subscribe to our Work Comp Emails

1. Fan et al. (2014) Physical Complications in Acute Lung Injury Survivors: A Two-Year Longitudinal Prospective Study. Critical Care Magazine. John Hopkins University 42 (4)

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