To get the word out about physical therapy helping with symptoms of long COVID, the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) has just launched a PSA via the LMO agency.

Stating that the Centers for Disease Control estimate that one in five adults who’ve had COVID-19 may develop long COVID, the PSA -- echoing KHN’s reporting that those with long COVID are often “dismissed and disbelieved by family and friends” -- says sufferers can develop “feelings of isolation, but you don't have to go through it alone.”

The scene starts out with a group of people on a park bench. They all depart except for one woman, as an announcer says, “When it comes to health, we’re all on our own journey. Our challenges aren’t always visible to those around us.”

For “aches and pains, fatigue, shortness of breath, or other symptoms,” the spot continues, “physical therapy is the solution.” It notes that these problems can be ‘the result of a variety of conditions, including long COVID.”

The spot, in :60, :30 and :15 versions, features several of APTA’s 100,000 members playing themselves. LMO is distributing the ad to TV stations nationwide, and there’s also an audio version going to radio stations.

This marks APTA’s fourth PSA since 2016, and the first since 2021. The first two focused on safe pain management during the opioid crisis, with the third highlighting the importance of physical activity and physical therapy in keeping fit and active, no matter one’s age or abilities.

APTA’s members include physical therapists, physical therapist assistants, and physical therapy students.