{"id":445,"date":"2021-03-02T00:11:40","date_gmt":"2021-03-02T00:11:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/longcovidalliance.org\/?p=445"},"modified":"2023-05-11T15:49:36","modified_gmt":"2023-05-11T15:49:36","slug":"body-politics-response-statement-on-covid-recoveries","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/longcovidalliance.org\/body-politics-response-statement-on-covid-recoveries\/","title":{"rendered":"The Harms of Graded Exercise Therapy, Neural Therapy, and CBT for Long COVID"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
From Body Politic<\/a>:<\/p>\n\n\n\n In light of recent public conversations about the role of exercise, neural training, and cognitive behavioral therapy in Long COVID recoveries, we at Body Politic want to make clear our stance on certain rehabilitation methods, and the varied paths to Long COVID recovery.<\/p>\n\n\n\n COVID-19 is a novel virus, and there is much we still don\u2019t know about \u201cLong COVID\u201d (the patient-coined term<\/a> for long-term symptoms following a COVID-19 infection). Researchers and clinicians are actively working to understand what causes long-term symptoms, why some patients develop them, and whether all patients will be able to eventually make a full recovery. Until quality research is completed, it is important that we not rush to conclusions about what Long COVID is or how to treat it. It is also worth noting that while many Long COVID patients have similar symptoms, \u201cLong COVID\u201d still serves as an umbrella term for a variety of experiences.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Because Long COVID symptoms and experiences are diverse, we believe it is dangerous to promote treatments with insufficient evidence, especially when they may be harmful to a subset of patients.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Body Politic prides itself on being historically informed and patient-centered. We believe it is vital to listen to chronic illness and disability communities. Many Long COVID patients have gone on to be diagnosed with other conditions <\/a>, including Myalgic Encephalomyelitis \/ Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME\/CFS). In a recent study<\/a> conducted by Body Politic\u2019s research partner, the Patient-Led Research Collaborative <\/a>, an average of 72% of the surveyed patients reported experiencing Post-Exertional Malaise<\/p>\n\n\n\n (PEM) \u2013 a common ME\/CFS symptom \u2013 after month six. Our peers in the ME\/CFS community have been vital allies in the fight to understand Long COVID in the context of other post-infectious sequelae and advocate for patients\u2019 needs. Research findings on ME\/CFS must be considered when promoting treatments and rehabilitation programs for Long COVID patients who exhibit similar symptoms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Both Long COVID patients and others with chronic and acute illnesses have reported being psychologized by clinicians <\/a>and denied care as a result. This phenomenon fits into a much larger history of medical providers prescribing positive thinking and exercise therapies as cures for chronically ill and disabled patients.<\/p>\n\n\n\n