Long COVID clinic and hypnotherapy: the results

I first began my unique and flagship long COVID clinical trial and research study in October 2020 when the first cases of long COVID began to emerge.

Long COVID is now a long term health problem for the UK, and the world, with sufferers expected to be in our hospitals and requiring NHS services well into the future. Long COVID will be with us for many years to come.

The results 

After many months of research, clinical trials, working with patients, trialling hypnotherapy techniques, old and new, and some of my newly developed techniques, as well as the assessment of all results, the much-awaited final results of my long COVID clinical trial and study are in!

As a clinical hypnotherapist, I wanted to assess the effectiveness of hypnotherapy in the treatment of patients with long COVID. All the volunteers who took part in the study had had COVID-19 and were then suffering from long COVID. 

And I am delighted to report that the results since October 2020 are outstanding.
The evidence was overwhelming, and patients and volunteers reported and showed signs of the following:

• increased stamina and strength
• reduced pain
• reduced joint pain and muscle aches
• improved sleep
• improved mobility and flexibility
• ease of breathing (and improved breathing patterns)
• improved senses (taste, smell etc)
• increased focus and concentration
• improved mood, and a higher sense of well-being
• improved appetite
• increased happiness and positivity
• improved confidence
• increased motivation and belief that they / things will get better
• an ability to do simple activities and carry out everyday tasks
• improved mental health and mental well-being,
• improved (and less extreme) emotions
• an overall desire to keep taking steps forward, as well as a renewed zest for life

Each participant in the trial was assessed before, during, and after the treatments using various world-renowned medical assessment techniques and tools. These included the PHQ-9 Patient Health Questionnaire, the WEMWBS Mental Wellbeing Scale, as well as my own clinical hypnotherapy assessment tools.

Long COVID is an extremely debilitating condition. But with the correct treatment and support, and with a well-qualified hypnotherapist, it does ease, and patients and clients do get better in time. If you or someone you know is suffering from long COVID, then please know that clinical hypnotherapy is now a well researched and recognised therapy in the treatment of long COVID. Help is available.

Long COVID: symptoms lasting 12 weeks or longer:

• breathlessness
• fatigue
• chest pains
• palpitations
• poor sleep
• brain fog
• mental health problems
• joint and muscle pains
• lung problems
• heart problems
• poor mobility
• loss of senses
• depression and anxiety
• loss of appetite

Long COVID is a new illness, and so the treatment has to be developed as we learn more about the disease. Some of the symptoms are similar to those experienced with chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), also known as ME.

Patients will be able to access help with the help and support of a qualified clinical hypnotherapist. Therapists will be able to train and gain greater insight and skills into the treatment of long COVID. As well as existing techniques, therapists and hypnotherapists will be able to learn and acquire a new blend of techniques specifically designed in the treatment of long COVID.

How to practise self-care with long COVID

You can also help yourself at home too. Here's how:

1. Understand that your hospital stay (illness) may have been frightening

If it was your relative in hospital, they may not want or be able to talk about it. Hallucinations, delusions, delirium, and confusion are side effects of illness, medication, and noisy ICU wards. But these symptoms will pass. Understanding this for yourself or for your loved one will reassure you that these feelings and experiences were temporary.

2. A balance between support and encouragement

People can often lose confidence after an illness. They may need more support, positivity, and more encouragement and kind words than normal. And it is also important to encourage yourself (or them) too to become fully independent as soon as possible. 

3.  Look after yourself

If you are the carer it is often easy to forget about yourself. Self-care for yourself is just as important as the care for your friend/relative too.

4. Feeling overwhelmed?

If you are feeling overwhelmed by the situation, by your illness, or by caring for someone else then remember to do three things:

• Prioritise. And only do what is really needed at that time, on that day.
• Rest. Make sleep your priority. Rest and recharge and take care of yourself.
• Seek professional help. Speak to your G.P. or to a therapist. 

Clinical hypnotherapy has now proven to be an extremely successful and effective treatment in and for the recovery of long COVID.

For further information please also have a look at Your Covid Recovery on the NHS website.