There is a growing recognition that many people are now facing the long-term consequences of Covid-19, suffering from prolonged symptoms for weeks, and sometimes months, after their recovery.
Traditionally, holistic healthcare and acupuncture have a long history of helping people to overcome the lingering symptoms of viral infections. Many of the common symptoms seen with ‘long Covid’ respond to acupuncture in other contexts too, particularly in cases of chronic fatigue and fibromyalgia.
When we talk about post-viral illness, we are usually referring to a constellation of symptoms, including joint or muscle aches, fatigue, poor concentration, brain fog, a feeling of heaviness, intermittent fever, shortness of breath and depression. One of the most prevalent symptoms that I have seen in patients with ‘long covid’ is a feeling of constant fatigue, and the most frustrating thing for patients is that energy is rarely restored by getting a good sleep. Infact, people often feel worse first thing in the morning.
It is thought that post-viral syndrome may have something to do with the body's immune response to the initial infection. When you are fighting off a virus, the immune system releases chemicals, which promote inflammation and cause many of the classic symptoms of viral infection (eg, tiredness and aches and pains). An increasing number of studies show that acupuncture supports the immune system and in addition, that it has an anti-inflammatory action, particularly useful in treating patients suffering from symptoms caused by the coronavirus. There is clear evidence that acupuncture increases the body’s ability to fight infections, while at the same time reducing chronic pain, anxiety, depression and stress, all of which have a detrimental effect on our immune system.
Acupuncture that is based on the traditional East Asian models is well placed to help people with ‘long Covid’. Patients with multiple, chronic symptoms are treated using a holistic approach, which helps to support their own self-healing capabilities to provide better sustained, overall improvement, as well as providing symptomatic relief.
If you’ve been experiencing symptoms of ‘long-Covid’, the following may also help to improve your energy:
· Eating foods that support the digestive system, such as soups and casseroles where the food is already partially broken down can help to improve energy.
· Seasonal fruit such as apples and pears have a decongesting action, which can be helpful for chest tightness and/or sinus congestion. Warm pears and honey are a very soothing for a sore throat, or dry cough.
· Moderate exercise to increase energy, improve physical strength and relax the mind, such as Qi gong or walking. As little as 10 minutes of qi gong a day can be very nourishing.
· Breathing exercises to calm the nervous system, while providing the body’s cells with more oxygen to use as fuel, can be helpful.
