For some, their COVID-19 journey once infected only lasts for a couple of days, and, in happy cases, presents itself with very few symptoms. However, others may not be as lucky, and experience something that is known as long COVID, or post-COVID-19 syndrome.

The diagnosis of long COVID is still something that needs to be further researched, so there aren’t a lot of options for long COVID treatment. Neurofeedback training presents itself as a great non-invasive treatment option, given the extensive neurological implications of the disease.

Read on to find out how neurofeedback can help treat symptoms of long COVID and how Beaverton Neurofeedback can help you fight post-acute sequelae brought on by severe illness.

About Long Covid

Most people who get the coronavirus (COVID-19) start feeling better a few days or weeks after they begin showing symptoms and recover completely in 12 weeks. However, some people's symptoms may last longer. This is referred to as post-COVID-19 syndrome or long COVID. Long COVID is a novel illness that is still being researched.

Post-COVID conditions have been described as numerous health issues that can persist for weeks, months, or longer. Anyone who has been affected by the virus that causes COVID-19, even those who had a minor illness or no symptoms from COVID-19, can have post-COVID conditions. However, long COVID is more frequently detected in persons with severe COVID-19 illness.

In comparison to those who were immunized and experienced breakthrough infections, those who are not protected against COVID-19 and contract the disease may also be at an increased risk of experiencing post-COVID problems.

Although the majority of long COVID patients display signs of infection or COVID-19 disease, it is possible for them to have neither tested positive for the virus nor been aware that they were infected.

What Are The Long COVID Symptoms?

Given how new long COVID is as a disease, there is still more research needed about the risk factors and the ongoing symptoms. According to existing studies, these are long COVID's most typical symptoms:

• fatigue
• breathlessness 
• muscular pain

However, there are numerous signs and symptoms of a COVID-19 infection, such as:

• issues with attention and memory ("brain fog")
• stiffness or pain in the chest
• inability to sleep (insomnia)
• heart flutters
• dizziness
• numbness in extremities
• joints ache
• both anxiety and depression
• tinnitus and ear pain
• nausea, vomiting, stomach aches, and loss of appetite
• fever, coughing, headaches, hoarseness, alterations in one's perception of taste or smell
• rashes

While many of the long COVID symptoms are quite typical symptoms of the flu or a cold, the neurological symptoms that accompany them shouldn’t be overlooked. Patients can experience mental health issues as a result of the illness, and require appropriate long COVID treatment.

There is growing evidence that COVID-19 survivors have a very high rate of persisting neurological problems. Neuroinflammatory and oxidative stress processes are believed to predominate in the propagation of neurological long-COVID sequelae, despite the fact that there is currently very little information on the pathophysiological mechanisms involved in the manifestation of long-COVID.

For this reason, it’s very important to establish preventive and therapeutic approaches for neurological long-COVID consequences as quickly as possible.

Recovering Through Neurofeedback

By using biological feedback, neurofeedback is a non-invasive way to control brain activity, making it a successful long COVID treatment. In plain English, a device keeps track of the EEG (electroencephalogram) and informs the subject on how "good" it is by providing information (for example, a visual). 

The brain can learn to improve the EEG after a little period of training, once it obtains enough precise and immediate data about the EEG. Numerous research studies have shown that neurofeedback is an effective treatment for brain fog, impairments of learning, concentration, recollection, motor control, sleep, and other neurological issues.

 
A pilot study found that 5 sessions of neurofeedback bring significant improvement in 3 major symptoms of long COVID: fatigue, anxiety, and depression. This is just one of the many studies that prove the impact that neurofeedback training can have on tackling neurological symptoms of the post-COVID-19 syndrome.

Thoroughly and consistently training your brain to produce favorable brain waves can fight persistent long COVID symptoms left over from the initial infection, and return to the life you led before – no more confusion, unhealthy sleeping patterns, and mental health conditions.

Start Your Treatment for Long COVID With Us

If you’ve been struggling with long COVID, and have been experiencing brain fog, insomnia, trouble concentrating, or any other neurological symptoms, we firmly believe that neurofeedback training is the best long COVID treatment for you.

 
These severe symptoms can impact your daily life, but it is in your power to learn how your brain function influences them and what you can do to put an end to it. We welcome you into our office for neurofeedback training sessions, accompanied by professional equipment and a trainer to guide you through the process.

If either your symptoms or your daily schedule doesn’t allow you to get your long COVID treatment in-office, look into renting your own equipment and getting your training done from the comfort of your own home. If you are unsure which option is best for you, contact us, and let’s figure it out together!