Rethinking the Treatment for Long Covid
Tens of thousands of young people in the UK are currently suffering with Long COVID. As it’s such a new condition and there is a lot we don’t know about it, doctors don’t yet have effective treatments for Long Covid available. But that is changing.
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Research from scientists around the world is uncovering the astonishing similarities between Long COVID and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) and other post-viral conditions, and this is opening the door to new, more effective Long Covid treatment.
Young people and Long COVID
Long COVID is a bit of a mystery in mainstream medical terms. It affects people of all ages, those previously in good health and it doesn’t seem to be linked to whether the initial infection was mild or severe.
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In fact, the diverse symptoms associated with Long Haul COVID make it appear to be a very complex condition. Fatigue is the most common symptom, but people can also suffer with sickness, chest pains or palpitations, joint pain, rashes, brain fog, insomnia and even depression and anxiety.
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For young people living with the symptoms of Long COVID months, sometimes years, after having COVID, it can feel like life is on hold. The things they used to enjoy – studies, hobbies, sports and hanging out with friends – have all fallen by the wayside and there doesn’t seem to be any end in sight.
The long road to recovery
NHS treatment for Long COVID often focuses on ruling out other health issues and managing symptoms through medications, dietary changes, or pacing techniques. However, these methods have limited success because they target symptoms rather than the root cause: chronic stress.
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Chronic stress is linked to post-viral conditions like Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS), often triggered by viral infections such as mono. Studies, including research in the US and Spain, highlight similarities between Long COVID and CFS/ME. A 2023 Scientific American article also notes their striking resemblance in symptoms and mechanisms.
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By addressing the chronic stress response—activated during the initial infection and locked on - there is potential to effectively treat both conditions. Learn more in our information pack here.
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Long COVID video explainer
Why the programme is so successful as a treatment for Long Covid in young people
Steve has been helping young people recover from chronic illness for over 15 years. He focuses on teaching them powerful strategies and techniques that help them manage their mind and body’s response to the stress caused by being unwell.
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With the chronic stress response under control, young people see improvements in their cognitive, digestive and immune functions, as well as a reduction in inflammation, as their Long COVID symptoms naturally resolve themselves over time. Read our articles page 'Long COVID fatigue treatment – your questions answered' here
Long COVID Success stories
For young people with Long COVID, our programme can start to positively impact their lives in just a few weeks. They then build on the improvements over several months as they integrate what they’ve learned into normal life. Head to our Success Stories page to read about the experiences of Steve’s clients who have successfully completed the programme and have overcome Long COVID. These include Aaron and Frankie below.
“I’m now back to cycling five times a week and also fitting in the gym where I can. I’d say my health is a 9/10. I recently went on my longest ride ever – 100 miles around Scotland. I’m at college doing my A-levels and I go out when I want. Long Covid is no longer dictating what I do.”
Aaron aged 17
​“Once Frankie started using the techniques, she gradually started getting better. She journalled her achievements and you could see how much she was improving. She was soon doing half days at school, and by the summer holidays she didn’t have Long Covid anymore,” says Frankie’s mum Becky.
Frankie aged 12