New Therapy Offered For NJ Coronavirus Patients Left Feeling Weak

NEW JERSEY — Battling and defeating the coronavirus was tough enough for some but many are still dealing with lingering affects. Trinity Rehab Physical Therapy, which has 18 centers in New Jersey, is now offering rehab to get post-coronavirus patients back on their feet.

Rosie Hernandez, regional director at Trinity for Cental Jersey such as Warren, Clark and Hamilton, says one of the things they are seeing and hearing regarding the coronavirus are patients who are very weak and are now suffering from PICS, or post intensive care syndrome.

"Their lung capacity has reduced and they are short of breath. Those that used to be able to walk 10 blocks can now only walk for 1 or 2 blocks," Hernandez said.

Some patients also are left feeling week and are at risk of falling because their balance has been effected from being in a hospital bed for so long.

"Many people with COVID-19 received care, were admitted inpatient and were bed-bound for a certain period of time. It could be two weeks or a month in the hospital while their body was de-conditioning day by day. Once they are discharged and return home they are not sure how to rehab," Hernandez said.

Patients should be exercising, moving around and slowly building strength and building up their core and muscles in a supervised setting and not just go to a gym to exercise. Doing so unsupervised puts the patients at risk for continuing muscular and respiratory issues, which can lead to mental health issues as well, according to Trinity.

Hernandez said Trinity will work to help patients with issues such as bending over or to walk inside the grocery store without stopping.

An AlterG Anti-Gravity Treadmill is also used to help with endurance training. Patients are also offered a general education on what to do at home and a proper diet.

Keeping in mind the coronavirus, Hernandez says they take "sanitizing seriously."

"We clean after every use of machine, after every exercise. And we Purell everyone every 30 minutes," Hernandez said.

Those who may be feeling the side effects after recovering from COVID-19 can schedule an in-person appointment or a virtual visit with Trinity. They will consult and advise the patient on what rehab will work best for them.

"There is so much going on in everyone's lives and they don't take their own health care into consideration," Hernandez said. "A lot of people also have mental health issues associated with their socioeconomic status from being out of work. We are trying to get people to focus on their own health."

For more information on Trinity Rehab’s Post COVID Therapy call 1-800-518-0977 or visit trinity-rehab.com.

Have a news tip? Email alexis.tarrazi@patch.com.

Get Patch breaking news alerts sent right to your phone with our new app. Download here. Don't miss local and statewide announcements. Sign up for Patch alerts and daily newsletters.