Growing focus on blended Long COVID care, nervous system support, and practical steps to restore energy and resilience.

This week I had the privilege of attending the International Post-COVID & Post-Infection Condition Society (IPIC) conference — and I left feeling both a real connection to the dedicated people working in this space and excited about where the field is evolving.

It was a wonderful event. The agenda was strong and varied, the speakers were thoughtful and informative, and there was an incredible level of passion, and dedication. Alongside that, there were also some very honest conversations about the challenges facing the Long COVID space right now.

And yet, despite those challenges, the commitment to serving people was unmistakable. It was inspiring to see so many clinicians, researchers, and people with lived experience continuing to push this field forward. It also reinforced something important: all of us have a role to play in continuing the conversation, helping people (including many clinicians) understand the scale of need, and making sure those who are struggling know that there are ways to begin feeling better now.  

While pharmaceutical options remain limited or uncertain, there is recognition that non-drug approaches are not just complementary, but foundational. 

Across sessions, clinical leaders spoke about the value of approaches that support the nervous system, energy regulation, and whole-body function, approaches that people can begin using now, without waiting for future treatments. These methods reduce the risk of side effects, and importantly, there is currently more consistent and practical evidence supporting them in day-to-day recovery.

For us at ThriveNinety, it was heartening to see this alignment with what we see in practice every day.

It was also a privilege to hear from leaders from across the NHS, including those who have been working in the Long COVID space since 2020. This work is helping to shape clinical pathways, definitions, and coding that will ultimately improve access to care and embed support more effectively within health systems.
That kind of leadership, grounded in both clinical expertise and compassion, is critical for where this field needs to go.

Alongside these broader themes, there were some fascinating and important insights emerging from the science and clinical discussions.

One area that stood out was the strong overlap between neurodivergence and chronic health conditions, including Long COVID. A significant proportion of individuals with post-infection conditions also present with neurodivergent traits (such as ADHD, autism, or dyslexia). Many of these individuals also experience hypermobility — where connective tissue, including fascia and structures around the nervous system, is more flexible than typical.

This matters because connective tissue plays a key role in how the body senses, stabilises, and regulates itself. In some cases, post-infection conditions may exacerbate underlying vulnerabilities in these systems, or bring them to the surface for the first time.

For those navigating recovery, this reinforces the importance of approaches that support the body holistically — including movement that supports fascia to function well, pacing, and nervous system regulation.

There were also important reflections on how we communicate and support people effectively. Many individuals in this space have complex, layered experiences of health, and often know their bodies exceptionally well. Personalisation, clarity, and practical support matter. Even language matters. For example, there was discussion around framing approaches as “supported self-management” to ensure people feel guided, not dismissed. If you have a story about an interaction with health or care providers that you found particularly helpful or less helpful, we would love to hear about it - that feedback helps us know what you value so we can keep working to support you well! 

Finally, one of the ongoing challenges in the field is the lack of consistent definitions and outcome measures. Given my background in population health management,this resonated with me. It makes research harder to interpret and compare — and means that many effective approaches are not yet fully captured in traditional evidence frameworks. But this doesn’t mean they aren’t working. It simply reflects that this field is still evolving.

For now, all of this reinforces something we often say: focus on what you can influence. Small, consistent actions that support your system can create meaningful change over time.

I left the conference feeling grateful to be part of this community — and more committed than ever to this work.

If you’re navigating recovery, please know: progress is possible, and you’re not alone.

Warmly,
Katie

PS. After attending IPIC this week, one message was clear: while treatments evolve, there is real value in starting now with practical, system-based approaches that support recovery and resilience.

You can access Unit 1 of our program for free to experience the approach, understand how a sustainable recovery process can begin, and see what feels relevant for you before deciding on anything further.

Sometimes the first step isn’t committing to a full program.
It’s simply committing to testing something supportive and giving yourself permission to try.

If and when you’re ready, the door is open