Wim Hof Method and “long Covid-19”

This post is a reaction to a medical article on the management of patients with a long form of Covid-19. The article can be viewed here:

https://www.bmj.com/content/370/bmj.m3026

The very high contagiousness of SARS-Cov2 means that a large part of the population already has or will contract this virus. If it kills relatively little, and less and less thanks to progress in medical care, we begin to see another aspect: that of its long form. This form is characterized by the persistence of symptoms after remission for a few weeks to a few months. This form would affect about 10% of patients. That’s a lot of people … The symptoms of this long form are, according to the aforementioned article, very diverse and a holistic approach is recommended to deal with them. In general, people with the long form are very tired and find it very difficult to regain the level of physical and mental activity they had before the illness.

Can the Wim Hof Method help these people?

Let’s see.

First of all, people suffering from the “long Covid-19” often have persistent breathing problems. Often times, if these problems are not caused by irreversible damage to the lungs, they are caused by a loss of activity in the diaphragm. The article mentions breathing rehabilitation by re-mobilizing the diaphragm. It cites practices such as yoga or the Buteyko technique. Like other conscious breathing techniques, practicing the Wim Hof ​​Method, focusing on respiratory mechanics and as a slow progression, can also help. Of course, we will then avoid breathing like crazy by trying only to get high hyperventilating … The article also advises to follow the state of the respiratory faculties using a simple oximeter to detect a possible chronic hypoxia (saturation rate, decrease in saturation after exercise, etc.). For this, of course, it is necessary to know what you are doing. The article gives some indications, but we can refer to an instructor familiar with these approaches, such as Yvan Cam or Jesse Coomer.

In addition, patients suffering from the long form of Covid-19 may also have cardiovascular problems. In this case, it seems important to assess whether these problems are compatible with cold exposure exercises. A medical opinion is recommended, as for all people suffering from serious cardiovascular problems (related to Covid-19 or not). If the cardiovascular problems are compatible with exposure to cold, I would recommend a gradual approach, as for the breathing techniques. Generally speaking in learning the Wim Hof Method, exposure to cold is gradual; but it must be even more gradual for some (chronic fatigue, burn-out, etc.). There is a good chance that people suffering from “long Covid-19” are in this category.

Finally, the mental health of people suffering from this long form can also be affected: anxiety, depression, chronic stress (post-traumatic) … Although the effectiveness of the Wim Hof ​​Method on mental health is not scientifically established, many are the testimonies that plead in its favor. From personal experience, I have seen the benefits of this practice on my own mental health. We can therefore think that people suffering from long Covid-19 may benefit from a practice of the Wim Hof ​​Method. Of course, mental health is a complex and delicate field: the instructor should not take the place of a psychologist or psychiatrist, for example. That being said, depending on the severity, it can accompany the person in the management of chronic stress. Part of the practice of the Wim Hof ​​Method, even at a basic level, is to activate the ortho- and para-sympathetic nervous systems alternately. This gymnastics of the autonomic nervous system, acting like a re-calibration, allows you to get out of the vicious circle of chronic stress and regain better control of your emotional state. Advanced practice emphasizes “the power of mind” and could then be of even more beneficial. But one thing at a time…!

In conclusion, I would say that the practice of the Wim Hof Method can, without necessarily curing them, help people suffering from “long Covid-19”, especially if they need to regain control of their breathing and their mental health. If the cardiovascular system is too severely impacted, it will be necessary to be very careful about exposure to the cold, potentially giving up this practice. When it comes to learning the Wim Hof Method, nothing beats the advice of a certified instructor. As expressed in this post, it seems to me non-negotiable that the instructor does not replace a doctor, psychologist, psychiatrist … Humility and prudence are a form of goodwill.

🔥❄️🧠✌️

Sébastien.