Carissa Conrad, PT, DPT, TPS

04/24/2026

Many people notice it takes much less activity or stress to trigger symptoms now. Often the nervous system has become more sensitive-meaning it takes less input to set off the alarm.

04/23/2026

I currently have a few openings for Zoom coaching sessions for Long COVID, ME/CFS, and nervous system recovery support. Feel free to message me for details. 💙

04/21/2026

Many people with Long COVID, ME/CFS, and chronic illness feel their body is overreacting to normal life and don't realize how much the nervous system may be involved. I made a short video on 3 signs your nervous system may be stuck in protection mode. I hope it helps someone feel seen today 💙

03/29/2026

Why “pacing” doesn’t always work in long COVID recovery

Many people are told to pace — to stay within an energy envelope and avoid crashes.

And while that can be helpful early on, I often see people feeling stuck or frustrated when pacing alone doesn’t lead to meaningful improvement.

One reason is that traditional pacing focuses mostly on how much you do.

But the nervous system also responds to how you’re doing it — your internal state while engaging in an activity.

If the nervous system is in a heightened, protective state, even small amounts of activity can be interpreted as a threat and trigger symptoms.

This is where a different approach becomes important.

Rather than only limiting activity, we begin to look at nervous system state — learning to recognize the signals your body gives you, and adjusting activity based on that state.

This is what I refer to as state-based pacing.

Over time, this allows for a more flexible and realistic way to navigate daily life — especially when complete rest isn’t possible.

It’s not about doing more. It’s about helping the system feel safe enough that capacity can gradually expand. This shift made a significant difference in my own recovery and is a core part of the work I now do with clients.

Send a message to learn more

03/17/2026

Recovering from long COVID while raising children can feel impossible.

Many people are told to “pace”. To find a baseline and stay within it to allow your nervous system to settle.

But when you have children, your day isn’t predictable.
The emotional and physical demands can shift hour to hour. There often is no consistent baseline to stay within. This is where a different approach becomes important.

Rather than only trying to reduce activity, the focus shifts to supporting the nervous system so it can tolerate the activity that’s already there.

This is where state-based pacing comes in — learning to understand your nervous system state, recognize the signals your body gives you, and match your activity to that state as best as possible within real life.

Over time, the goal becomes gradually expanding capacity, not just avoiding crashes.

For some people, tools like vagus nerve stimulation can be helpful in supporting that regulation when used thoughtfully as part of a broader approach.

You are not alone if you’re trying to navigate recovery while caring for others. And it’s not a failure if traditional pacing hasn’t worked for your life.

Send a message to learn more

03/09/2026

Many people with long COVID are told to “pace.”
But pacing can mean very different things.

Traditional pacing often focuses on limiting activity — staying under a certain step count or stopping before symptoms spike.

While that can help reduce crashes, it doesn’t always address why the system is so reactive in the first place.

What I found in my own recovery, and now see clinically, is that pacing becomes much more effective when it’s state-based.

That means paying attention not just to how much activity you’re doing, but to the state of your nervous system while you’re doing it.

Two people can do the exact same activity, but if one is in a highly reactive state, the body may interpret the activity as a threat and respond with symptoms.

Learning how to recognize and regulate nervous system state first can change how the body tolerates activity.

In other words, the goal isn’t simply doing less — it’s helping the system feel safe enough that capacity can gradually rebuild.

Progress is rarely linear, but understanding this relationship between state and activity can be an important shift for many people.

03/02/2026

Long COVID recovery is rarely about “doing more.”

One of the most common patterns I see clinically — and struggled with early in my own recovery — is the push-crash cycle.

When symptoms are intense, it’s natural to search for the next treatment, the next supplement, the next protocol. But many persistent long COVID symptoms are rooted in autonomic nervous system dysregulation. When the system is still in a protective state, adding more can unintentionally increase reactivity.

Stabilization often has to come first.

That can look like:
• Careful pacing
• Understanding your current nervous system state
• Reducing crashes before trying to build capacity
• Gradual, structured re-exposure to activity

Progress is usually nonlinear and often quieter than we expect — but meaningful improvement is possible.

If you’re navigating long COVID and feeling stuck in the cycle, you’re not alone.

03/01/2026

Find lots of videos about nervous system regulation and recovery from Long Covid/ME/CFS and other chronic illnesses on my YouTube channel.

This channel is all about educating you about the Vagus Nerve and how stimulating it can enhance your well-being, help you recover from illness and pain, and lead to a more peaceful way of existing. Carissaconraddpt.com DISCLAIMER: All content on this channel is for educational and informational pur...

02/24/2026

I’m excited to expand my professional presence here on Facebook.

I am a Doctor of Physical Therapy offering in-person sessions on Bainbridge Island, along with virtual nervous system regulation coaching.

My work integrates orthopedic rehabilitation with a whole-person, nervous system–informed approach. I support patients recovering from injuries, chronic pain, post-viral symptoms including long COVID and ME/CFS, and autonomic dysfunction.

If you or someone you know is navigating persistent symptoms or an injury that hasn’t fully resolved, I would be happy to connect.

Appointments available by request.

Call now to connect with business.