Treating Long COVID

While many of us have moved past the pandemic, I’m reminded often that there are still people feeling very real effects of COVID—some more seriously than others. It’s important to remember that although most of us are vaccinated and COVID treatments have drastically improved, people are still getting sick, and some are developing long COVID. That’s where acupuncture comes in.

There’s still so much we don’t know, but I recently read a great post from the American Psychological Association about what we do know about COVID’s long-term side effects. And they go far beyond shortness of breath: There continues to be a mix of emotional and physical hurdles. Things like fatigue, brain fog, sleep disturbance, cognitive health, muscle weakness and anxiety are very real and long-lasting, especially for those who were hospitalized or spent time recovering in the ICU. 

What I found most interesting was the APA’s observation that patients need to be taught “early on in their recovery that there’s not going to be a medication fix.” Instead, they recommend relaxation strategies, breathing techniques, changes to sleep and dietary habits, therapy and other more holistic approaches to easing what’s called Post-Intensive Care Syndrome. Of course, since that article was written, there have been advances in medication for COVID, but it’s always most important to treat the root cause of a symptom first.

What a great place for acupuncture to come in! I talk a lot about addressing the root cause, and that often means avoiding medications that only suppress your symptoms but ignore the underlying cause. The APA gives a great example with post-COVID breathlessness, which is a symptom of the illness itself, but can later be triggered by anxiety even after your lungs are healthy. 

“For instance, perceived difficulties with breathing can become intertwined with anxiety, [Dr. Megan] Hosey says. ‘The brain is wired to become anxious as soon as we become breathless.’ And medication for anxiety will likely not be beneficial, if that’s how the breathlessness is being triggered ...”

So what can you do? Acupuncture is an excellent option for addressing the underlying causes of things like anxiety, insomnia, inability to focus and fatigue—all common long-term side effects of COVID-19. We also can help improve your cognitive health, make nutrition recommendations and rebalance your body so you start feeling like yourself again. 

The APA also recommends starting any post-COVID treatment plan with a conversation about which parts of your life are most important for you to regain, which is exactly how every acupuncture treatment begins. The more I know about your goals and concerns, the better your experience will be and the sooner you’ll be feeling like yourself again. 

In health and wellness,
Julie