Facts about the Long Covid
Long Covid is a new illness, which has affected so many worldwide – estimates range from 10-45% of those who had Covid still have some symptoms up to 6 months later.
From these figures, we can see there’s much disagreement on even some of the basic information. This makes Long Covid a confusing subject as there are many opinions, scarce research and few options that work. We’ve scoured the research databases to bring you this guide to help bring you the facts about Long Covid (and also our special field of interest the Lightning Process).
Do any treatments work for Long Covid?
Yes. As it’s a new condition, the research is in it’s early stages but is already identifying promising interventions. These include:
The recent study, from 2025, evaluated the LP for Long COVID and found all participants made significant improvements, with over 90% of participants reported being 85% back to normal or more, and concludes:
‘The Lightning Process is a promising and safe intervention for symptoms of long COVID. Primary care clinicians can refer patients for treatment with a high chance of benefit without fear of harm.’
Multiple peer-reviewed published case histories of recovery from Long Covid (2023)
A systematic review of interventions of Long Covid (2024) in the BMJ concluded there is evidence that cognitive behavioural therapy and physical and mental health rehabilitation, including increasing exercise are useful in the treatment of Long Covid.
Are viral fragments the cause of Long Covid – if so only anti-viral drugs will work?
Experts opinion is that the cause of Long Covid is currently uncertain and this ‘viral fragment’ idea is just one of a range of theories that still await conclusive supporting evidence. However, there is evidence that a range of non-drug based approaches help those with Long Covid.
Is there evidence that the Lightning Process helps those with Long Covid?
Yes. It’s early days for research into Long Covid generally, but already an important paper evaluating the LP for Long Covid has been published. It found all participants made significant improvements, with over 90% of participants reported being 85% back to normal or more, and concludes:
The Lightning Process is a promising and safe intervention for symptoms of long COVID. Primary care clinicians can refer patients for treatment with a high chance of benefit without fear of harm. Full paper is here.
A further three peer-reviewed case histories have also been published on Long Covid and the Lightning Process.
There are also hundreds of cases online of those who had Long Covid and used the LP to improve their health and return to work and an active life.
The Lightning Process is a non-drug based approach – so can it help physical health issues like Long Covid?
The Lightning Process is a whole-body approach that looks at how the brain mind and body all work together to improve our health. Studies show it can help those with issues with similar symptoms, such as ME/CFS.
The research into the Lightning Process and Long Covid is in early stages but is already showing evidence of benefits for those with Long Covid. Additionally, Long Covid has been helped by non-drug approaches such as CBT.
Do doctors use it, and are practitioners registered?
The Lightning Process seminars are run by skilled, extensively trained and registered professionals, and the practitioner membership includes medical doctors and other health care professionals. Many doctors, healthcare professionals and researchers, with Long Covid, have taken the LP to help improve their health and return to work.