14/08/2026
Your COVID test is negative. Your oxygen levels are normal. But you're still
breathless walking up a flight of stairs months later.
You're not imagining it. And it's treatable.
Post-COVID breathlessness has two main causes:
π« Breathing pattern disruption: COVID often shifts people from diaphragmatic
(deep belly) breathing to shallow upper-chest breathing. Upper-chest breathing
moves less air per breath β breathing rate increases β constant sensation of
breathlessness even with normal oxygen levels.
πͺ Deconditioning: weeks of illness and inactivity β muscle weakness + reduced
cardiovascular fitness. Same activities now demand more oxygen than your
deconditioned system can efficiently deliver.
The rehab approach:
β
Diaphragmatic breathing retraining: restores efficient breathing mechanics
β
Graded aerobic exercise: starts low (even 2 min walking), builds progressively
β
Energy pacing: structure your day to rest BEFORE fatigue, not after
Key principle: start slowly and progress carefully. Post-COVID patients are
vulnerable to exercise intolerance β pushing too hard triggers setbacks.
π WhatsApp Raj: wa.me/60129349471
π kinesiorehab.com.my/conditions/post-covid-rehab (link in bio)