ABSTRACT The novel virus identified as severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus [SARS-CoV-2] has resulted in the Coronavirus disease [COVID-19] worldwide pandemic. Confirmed cases of COVID-19 has surpassed 57 million people globally and numbers are exponentially increasing weekly. Significant numbers of recovering patients are reporting long-term, on-going painful soft tissue and respiratory complications. While the total number of deaths directly associated with COVID-19 has exceeded 1million people worldwide, a more accurate figure is estimated to be significantly higher due to limited testing and issues around accurately attributing cause of death. Since its earliest emergence experts have identified the primary source of entry to the body being the nasal and oral cavities via aerosol droplets proliferating across the respiratory tract. Similar Coronaviruses have typically caused mild enteric symptoms including nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, and respiratory diseases including the common cold. In contrast, COVID-19 has been shown to cause acute fatal pneumonia, systemic out-of-control inflammatory responses, over-production of hyaluronan, cytokines, chemokines and C-reactive protein [CRP], leaky blood vessels, clot-causing antibodies leading to coagulation of blood, and resulting blood clots. Recorded high levels of serum Interleukin 6 [IL-6], Interleukin 8 [IL-8] as well as Tumour necrosis factor alpha [TNF-α] and IL-1β have been observed in COVID-19 patients all contributing to connective tissue damage. The connective tissue fascia has been described as “the universal singularity” due to its ubiquitous nature and has been identified in virtually every organ and structure within the body. Based on available evidence this paper suggests that the Corona virus travels upon the highway that is the fascial singularity whence it permeates cells on a local and global level. A significant number of post-COVID-19 [SARS-CoV-2] patients will experience on-going fascia related pain and a wide range of functional issues. Based on current research this short report proposes that appropriate fascia focused manual and movement therapy interventions will assist patients in recovering from the COVID-19 [SARS-CoV-2]. Fascia focused therapeutic interventions are shown to reduce pain and support a re-establishment of function while providing safe, effective and appropriate non-invasive therapy.
A comprehensive search was conducted to systematically review research/reports and professional opinions related to post-COVID-19 syndrome. Surveying appropriate research and reports provided unique detail concerning fascial tissue involvement and underlying disease mechanisms including long-term after-effects of the novel Coronavirus disease [COVID-19].
KEYWORDS: Coronavirus. Fascia. Post-COVID Syndrome. Long-term COVID, post-COVID-19 syndrome. Hyaluronan. Angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 [ACE2]. Cytokines.
Correspondence: Dr John Sharkey, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Clinical Sciences, University of Chester/NTC, 15-16aSt Joseph’s Parade Dorset St DO7 FR6þ Dublin, Ireland. Email: john.sharkey@ntc.ie
Copyright © 2021 Sharkey J. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
John Sharkey is an international educator, author and authority in the areas of clinical anatomy, exercise science, human movement and the manual treatment of chronic pain. He is a graduate of the University of Dundee, University of Liverpool and University of Chester. He completed undergraduate and post-graduate studies in the areas of exercise physiology, clinical anatomy and holds a post-graduate certificate in education. He is currently a senior lecturer within the Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Life Sciences, University of Chester/NTC, Dublin and is the programme leader of the Biotensegrity focused Thiel soft fix cadaver dissection courses department of anatomy and human identification, Dundee University, Scotland.
John has been delivering human anatomy dissection courses for many years teaching the geometry of anatomy and movement from the unique Biotensegrity-Anatomy for the 21st Century perspective. His presentations are respectful, dynamic, entertaining, educational and insightful.
John promotes his model of “Biotensegrity-anatomy for the 21st century” integrating the pioneering work of his mentor Dr. Stephen Levin MD. John has been teaching European Neuromuscular Therapy using living anatomy and specialising in chronic pain conditions. He is recognised as one of the worlds leading authorities on fascia and Biotensegrity. He is a member of the editorial board of the Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapies (JBMT), International Journal of Osteopathic Medicine and other professional journals.
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