Relieve symptoms of Long COVID with Acupuncture

The virus known as COVID-19 is a severe acute respiratory syndrome, which has been experienced across the globe since late 2019, however, since then we have seen an increase in what has been coined Long Haul COVID. Long Haul COVID happens when a person suffers months after the infection has gone. According to the World Health Organization, since the introduction of COVID-19 there have been over 764,000,000 cases of COVID-19 worldwide and it’s estimated that 1 in 5 people suffer from symptoms consistent with long-haul COVID. If you do the math, that’s potentially over 152,000,000 people suffering from the potentially debilitating aftereffects of COVID-19.

We are still trying to manage a relatively new virus. As Acupuncturists and healthcare providers, we are learning more about it and how to treat it as time passes. While COVID-19 may be relatively new, infectious diseases have been around from the beginning of time, but thanks to Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) practitioners they have been finding ways to combat them for thousands of years.

In the clinic over the last few years, we’ve seen an increased number of complaints related to the aftereffects of COVID-19. The symptoms are wide and varied from person to person.

One of the most common lingering symptoms of COVID-19 that we’ve been treating a lot of at our Yorkville clinic is Anosmia, the complete loss of smell and taste. It can also appear in varying degrees of loss and distortion. We’ve been treating Anosmia a lot in our downtown Toronto Acupuncture clinic with a lot of success. We’ve seen many patients regain their sense of smell and taste back in only 1 or 2 appointments.

Science backs up the efficacy of Acupuncture in treating loss of smell and taste! Studies focused on the effects of acupuncture on anosmia revealed significant improvements which used points throughout the body including the head, given the importance of scalp acupuncture for neurologic conditions impacting olfaction and the brain, and local points for the sense organs (like tongue and nose). Acupuncture has also been proven effective in preventing damage to cells and glands of the head and neck.

Long COVID Symptoms

Cognitive issues:

• Poor concentration
• Memory loss

Respiratory issues:

• Shortness of breath
• Cough

General pain/discomfort:

• Joint pain
• Muscle aches

Other Symptoms may include:

• Mental health impacts including anxiety, depression, hopelessness and irritability
• Digestive symptom including diarrhea, nausea/vomiting and stomach pain
• Headaches
• Altered smell and taste (anosmia)
• Fatigue
• Rapid heart rate
• Menstrual cycle changes

Lucky for you, Traditional Chinese Medicine has been treating ailments related to aftereffects of various viruses, bacteria and parasites for centuries. This is nothing new for us. Centuries of teachings and practice already equipped us to have toolbox of points, herbs and techniques ready-to-go for treating Long COVID.

Research is providing evidence of the benefits of acupuncture related to Long COVID including improvements to respiratory and cognitive function while reducing pain and fatigue. COVID-19 can disrupt the physiological activity of all organ and tissue systems of the body. Abnormal changes ensue which can affect the entire body or be localized in a specific region. We work on organ symptoms and can boost the health of the respiratory and digestive systems with Acupuncture And Chinese herbs.

How Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine Relieves Long COVID symptoms:

• Facilitates infection recovery, including chest oppression, coughing, nasal congestion, headaches, fatigue and restoration of taste and smell
• Suppresses inflammatory stress
• Improves immunity
• Regulates nervous system functions
• Calm the mind and regulates emotions such as anxiety and depression

1. Rest

 Allow yourself time to recover, pushing yourself too quickly may cause increased fatigue, shortness or breath and muscle aches which may ultimately lead to setbacks and longer recovery time. When returning to activity, start slow and gradually increase as your body allows.

2. Hydrate and Nourish

Drink enough water to keep you hydrated and good for cells Eat healthy nourishing whole foods. Gentle exercise if accessible.

3. Gentle exercise

 Don’t rush back into cardio, especially in those with respiratory issues. Start with light weights or resistance bands, yoga or short walks.

4. Optimize sleep

Pay attention to good air circulation where you sleep, cooler temperature, minimize electronics, and ideally get to bed by 10-11PM!

5. Acupressure

 There are many points you can press at home for various Long COVID symptoms. One of the most common symptoms we see related to long haul COVID is anosmia- the lost of smell and taste: Our favorite point to press is called  LI-20 as featured in our very own Acupressure lesson video. This point is AMZAZING as it opens nasal passages and help you regain your sense of smell and taste. Scroll UP to watch our video to learn how to do Acupressure on this incredibly healing point for Anosmia!

Jennifer Keith is an experienced Registered Acupuncturist. With a BA degree in Kinesiology, she has a special interest in body systems and how Acupuncture can help regulate it when staving off flu, illness and virus. She’s known for her logical point prescriptions, gentle needle technique and all round sweet and easy going bed-side manner. She’s knowledgeable with treating chronic/ long term illness with Chinese Medicine. Click here to book an appointment with Jennifer.