From long covid to lasting recovery: how Biowell’s biostack protocol helped me reclaim my energy

“For the first time in years, after being diagnosed with Long COVID, I’ve started to be able to plan and think about the future again, which is so exciting! I now feel I have enough predictability in my condition that I’ve been able to start looking for a part-time job.“

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In September 2021, after completing a degree in Physiology (BSc), I began working as a Respiratory Physiologist. Just two weeks later, I contracted COVID-19 in the hospital, and my health deteriorated significantly. Prior to the infection, I was healthy, I had been playing netball a couple of times a week, had a busy social life, and I’d started a full-time job. The COVID infection was a bad flu for me; I was sick, but nothing that couldn’t be managed by staying in bed at home. 

However, as the weeks went on, I realised I wasn’t improving, and after 12 weeks, my GP diagnosed me with Long COVID. I had a laundry list of symptoms, including overwhelming fatigue, post-exertional malaise (PEM), brain fog, migraines, nausea, dizziness, poor thermoregulation (I was cold all the time!), and in the following few months, was diagnosed with a pulmonary embolus, pericarditis and postural tachycardia syndrome (POTS). The knock-on effect of all of these conditions and symptoms was that I became a shell of the person I was before.

I no longer had the energy to socialise, to walk more than a few hundred yards, or to exercise. I napped every day, even after 12 hours of sleep at night, and I reduced my work hours to 10 hours a week across three days. I soldiered on in this working pattern for a year before accepting that I simply wasn’t well enough to manage even that, and I was making my condition worse. At that point, I moved back home to live with my parents and focus on my recovery. 

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Over the past 4 years, I have tried all sorts of alternative and holistic therapies; you name it, I probably did it: parasite cleanses, brain retraining, acupuncture, the list goes on. I saw a gradual improvement, thanks to the cumulative effect of some of these treatments and working alongside a functional medicine doctor. I returned to a point where I was able to socialise more and take care of normal day-to-day tasks, as well as manage gentle walks for up to half an hour. Yet, I still couldn’t exercise, and I didn’t have enough energy for work. One of the biggest problems I faced was the unpredictability of my condition; some days I felt I would’ve been able to manage a part-time job, and other days I felt terrible and work would’ve been out of the question. 

Before starting my treatment plan at Biowell, I was incredibly frustrated with the pace of my recovery; everything I had tried seemed to take anything from 3 months to a year to see any benefits from. I was still experiencing fatigue and brain fog, which were limiting me from a ‘normal’ life and being able to start back at work. 

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The Biowell Biostack protocol for long covid

Poor mitochondrial health is thought to be a significant contributing factor to the chronic fatigue associated with Long COVID, which is notable when considering that the mitochondria are where ATP (energy) is produced. My bio stack focused heavily on improving mitochondrial function alongside other benefits.

1. Compression Therapy (30 mins): 

• I used the lymphatic drainage setting to support toxin removal from the body – this is particularly helpful in conjunction with the HBOT, where you’re killing and removing bacteria and viruses.
• Improves circulation.
• Incredibly relaxing for the nervous system!

2. Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) (60 mins): 

• Increases the number of mitochondria and boosts their function.
• Reduces inflammation.
• Weakens residual viruses and bacteria by creating a hostile environment and enhances the immune system to remove the waste.

3. Cryotherapy (3 mins):

• Promotes new mitochondrial growth.
• Reduces inflammation.
• Improves sleep to ensure proper recovery overnight. 

4. Red Light Therapy (22 mins):

• Stimulates mitochondria to produce more ATP (energy).
• Reduces inflammation.
• Improves circulation.

I did 3 biostacks a week for 4 weeks –  a total of 12.   

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How did they make me feel?

I found the first few sessions quite exhausting. I needed time to take it easy, rest, and recover after them. This was actually exciting for me because any progress I’d seen previously had always started with me feeling a bit worse rather than a lot better, and it transpired that was the case here, too!

During weeks 1 and 2, I felt pretty exhausted afterwards, but by the beginning of week 3 and my 7th session, I wasn’t struggling so much anymore. Instead, I left the sessions with more energy than when I arrived, waking up earlier naturally (8-9 am instead of 10-11 am), and I felt more like myself again. I was more bubbly and energised, like I was getting my spark back. This continued at a gradual pace until the end of my 4th week and 12th session, by which point I had a lot more energy and was feeling as though my condition was generally much more stable.

There were way fewer bad days, fewer ups and downs, and unpredictability. Yes, I knew if I had a really big, busy day, I would need to take it easy the next day, but it wouldn’t wipe me out for 2-3 days anymore. I could count on the fact that if I had a good night’s sleep, I was pretty likely to wake up feeling good the next day. 

The Biowell team was brilliantly supportive throughout. They explained all the treatments and how they worked, set my expectations for what I might experience, and were on hand to help with any questions I had. They made it a fun experience that I looked forward to each week. The atmosphere at Biowell is incredibly warm and welcoming, and I am so grateful to the team for taking such great care of me!

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The Results and impact on my long covid

It’s challenging to obtain quantitative results in a condition like Long COVID, where most tests typically return normal results. However, I wear an Oura ring and was able to gather some data, which showed changes were happening. My heart rate variability (HRV) improved from a normal range of 20-30 ms to a regular 40-50 ms while undergoing the treatments, even reaching an all-time high of 62 ms. Two months post-treatments, it has stayed around 40 ms. My average resting heart rate also dropped by 5 bpm from 58 bpm to 53 bpm, getting as low as 48 bpm after some of my biostacks.

Besides the data, the real changes were in how I felt. I was waking up earlier, feeling brighter and better rested. I realised I was bubblier and more chatty in social situations again because I had the energy, I was walking a lot more and didn’t have to worry about planning the day around my energy limits so extensively. For the first time in years, I’ve started planning and thinking about the future again, which is incredibly exciting! In the depths of Long COVID, you can’t plan much past the end of the day, as you don’t know how you’ll be feeling tomorrow. I now feel that I have enough predictability in my condition to start looking for a part-time job for the first time in three years.

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Reflection on my long covid recovery

Many of the early things I tried felt like I was trying to treat the symptoms rather than the root cause. The biostacks, on the other hand, aimed to address the mitochondrial dysfunction and systemic inflammation directly. After a concise course of them, I’ve seen lasting results for two months. Although I do feel it would be beneficial to continue boosting my health and building up with individual sessions periodically, it’s not essential to maintain the results. I have seen an improvement, and it has stayed. These treatments are based on science, with research supporting their effectiveness in other conditions. I’m sure it’s only a matter of time until this research is also applied to Long COVID.

My advice to anyone experiencing the debilitating condition is not to give up hope! Advocate for yourself and continue to explore alternative options, because recovery is possible. Be patient with yourself, as well as with the fluctuations in your condition and the timeline. It doesn’t happen overnight; your body has been through a lot, and the improvement will be gradual. If recovery doesn’t feel possible for you, borrow some hope from me as living proof!

Induction

Begin your journey to optimal health and achieve your goals with the perfect starting point. This stage focuses on detoxifying your body by eliminating excess fluids and toxins while delivering an essential cellular activation to prime your system for success.

1. Wellness Preparation – £130.50 (save 10%)
   • 1 x session of Compression Therapy & IHHT to be taken in a single visit.

ENERGY OPTIMISERS

Three of our top therapies, saving you up to 15% vs. buying each therapy individually.

Energiser Express – £153 (save 10%)

1 x session of Cryotherapy, Red Light Therapy and IHHT, delivered in one hour, perfect for the time-pressed.

Energiser – £416.50 (save 15%)

2 x sessions of Cryotherapy, Hyperbaric Oxygen and Red Light Therapy delivered over two separate visits.

Sports & Fitness

Engineered to unleash your inner athlete, our sports packages are meticulously designed to elevate performance levels and accelerate recovery times. Experience cutting-edge therapies tailored to optimise your physical potential and keep you at the top of your game.

1. Sports Recovery – £234 (save 10%)
   • Enhanced package to deliver optimised recovery from any high-impact exertion, focused on reducing inflammation & body restoration.
   • 1 x session of Cryotherapy, Red Light Therapy, Compression & IHHT taken in a single visit.

1. Sports Advantage – £117 (save 10%)
   • Bio-stacked package to aid training and to boost performance. Focused on cellular fitness & heightened performance.
   • 1 x session of Combination of Cryotherapy & IHHT taken in a single visit.

1. Runners Recovery – £112.50 (save 10%)
   • Helps runners expedite recovery.
   • 1 x Cryotherapy and 1 x Compression Therapy for just £95, all to be taken in a single visit.

1. Elite Sports Recovery – £283.50 (save 10%)
   • Advanced sports recovery for anyone looking to recover faster and increase performance ability.  Repeated use will support optimisation goals and overall health.
   • This package provides 1 session of Cryotherapy, Compression Therapy, Redlight Therapy & Hyperbaric Oxygen all delivered in a single visit.

immunity SUPPORT

A focused combination designed to strengthen immunity and overall well-being. Taken in a single visit, this bio stack includes compression therapy, PEMF and red light therapy to support circulation, recovery and cellular function.

1. Immunity Support – £175 (save 10%)
   • This package provides 1 session of Compression, PEMF and Red Light Therapy all delivered in a single visit.

Lifestyle

Unlock a revitalised version of yourself with our lifestyle packages. These packages combine advanced anti-ageing therapies with the uplifting power of life-enhancing endorphins. Designed to help you look your best, feel rejuvenated, and perform at your peak, these packages empower you to live with confidence and vitality.

1. Age-Defier – £608 (save 20%)
   • An advanced ‘Bio-stack’ package that supports your longevity ambitions. Focused on delivering anti-ageing benefits, cell health and weight reduction.
   • This intensive package delivered over 4 weeks maximises the effectiveness of the combined therapies.
   • 4 x sessions of Cryotherapy, Red Light Therapy and IHHT in a month-long package. One of each therapy is suggested to be taken on a weekly basis.

1. Body Beautifier – £1,152 (save 20%)
   • 2-month package focused on body aesthetics, cellulite reduction and skin tone.
   • 8 x sessions of Cryotherapy, Red Light Therapy and EMS Therapy, with one session of each taken on a weekly basis.

1. Advanced Traveller + Pre and Post-Journey
   • Designed for the long-distance traveller who wants to reduce jetlag and improve sleep and recovery whilst enabling the ability to heighten performance in work or play.
   • Pre-Travel Booster – £112.50 (save 10%)
     • 1 x session of Cryotherapy & Compression therapy taken in a single visit.
     • It should be taken up to 48 hours before travelling.
   • Post-Travel Recovery – £229.50 (save 10%)
     • 1 x session of Cryotherapy, Compression Therapy and Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy.
     • Should be taken within 48 hours of travelling.

STRESS AND SLEEP

If you’re feeling stressed, fatigued, or not quite yourself, our Optimal Wellness Packages are designed to nurture both mind and body. These carefully curated therapies focus on restoring balance, enhancing well-being, and helping you feel more centred and revitalised in your daily life.

1. Stress Reliever – Touchless – £220.50 (save 10%)
   • The perfect destressing tonic, delivered through bio-layered therapies focused on mind and body.
   • 1 x session of Cryotherapy, 60min Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy & Red Light Therapy delivered in a single visit.

1. Sleep Better and Sleep Better + – from £103.50 (save 10%)
   • Optimises sleep, benefiting the essential components that support a healthy mind and body, driving you to maximise wellness.
   • 1 x session of Cryotherapy and Red Light Therapy taken in a single visit.
   • Sleep Better + adds a Compression Therapy.

Medical

1. Post-Op Recovery – £1,356 (save 20%)
   • Accelerate your recovery journey following operations or significant medical conditions with advanced therapies designed to promote faster regeneration, restoration, and normalisation. These treatments support your body’s natural healing processes, enhancing recovery and overall well-being.
   • 8 x sessions of Cryotherapy, IHHT and Red Light Therapy delivered in two months

1. Pre-Op Fitness – POA
   • Optimise your pre-operative fitness by prioritising cellular health and overall physical readiness. Tailored to your unique condition and treatment plan, these therapies prepare your body for surgery, improving outcomes and recovery time.
   • Bespoke to the individual based on condition and treatment plan.

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1. Cell Restorer – £477 (save 10%)
   • Experience a cellular-focused bio-stack designed to rejuvenate your health from the inside out. This bespoke approach targets the foundation of wellness, empowering you to achieve optimal vitality and balance.
   • 1 x session of Red Light Therapy and IHHT delivered in a single visit.

1. Brain Health Support – £306 (save 10%)
   • A new package specifically designed to help with concussion and overall brain health.
   • PolarCap® is a clinically researched, side-effect-free cooling therapy designed to support recovery following a concussion. 
   • 1 x PolarCap® Concussion therapy, 1 x HBOT 60, 1 x Red Light Therapy

WOMEN’S HEALTH

1. Perimenopause and Menopause Bio-Stack – £283.50 (save 10%)
   • A ‘Bio-stack’ package specifically designed to support and relieve perimenopause or menopausal symptoms.
   • An intensive package that maximises the effectiveness of all four therapies, you can expect benefits such as:
     • Lymphatic drainage and reduced water retention, leading to weight reduction
     • Reduced inflammation
     • Improved cellular health
     • Increased collagen production
     • Better sleep
     • Energised mind and body
     • Sharper focus
   • Package includes: 1 x session of Cryotherapy, Red Light, Compression and 60mins Hyperbaric Oxygen therapy, all to be taken in one session.

MEN’S HEALTH

1. Men’s Health Booster – £162 (save 10%)
   • Men’s Health Booster is our dedicated men’s performance & recovery package: Your all-in-one package to recover faster, feel sharper, and age with resilience.
     • Boost energy, reduce inflammation with Cryotherapy.
     • Support testosterone, improve sleep with Red Light Therapy.
     • Recharge the body at a cellular level with PEMF.
   • Package includes: 1 x session of Cryotherapy, PEMF, and Red Light, all in one session.