Acupuncture and Post-Covid Syndrome - “Long Covid”
Acupuncture and Post-Covid Syndrome - “Long Covid”
One of the most alarming and unfortunate aspects of a Covid-19 (Coronavirus) infection is the fact that many people continue to suffer from symptoms which continue or develop after the initial Covid-19 infection. The ongoing symptoms and the development of new symptoms can vary widely but for almost everyone who experiences them, they are confusing, debilitating and painful.
I have now treated a number of clients living with Long Covid, and the symptoms presented extend across the spectrum of the most commonly reported symptoms reported by the NHS. These symptoms range from fatigue, breathlessness and neurological symptoms such as cognitive impairment (“brain fog”), insomnia, dizziness, numbness and pins & needles, to migraines, joint pain, digestive & gastro-intestinal issues, diarrhoea, palpitations, chest pain, tight diaphragm, exacerbated skin conditions such as eczema / psoriasis. I would add to this list, symptoms such as generalised anxiety and depression whether resulting directly from the Covid-19 infection or the mental and emotional toll of dealing with the symptoms and not knowing how long they will last or how they may develop.
Can acupuncture help?
Acupuncture can certainly help people manage and treat the symptoms of Long Covid as well as correct imbalances in the body to strengthen the body overall. There is certainly hope, but the process towards wellness is gradual. Of course, one who is suffering from persistent and overwhelming symptoms post-Covid seeks immediate relief. However, that is only one objective of acupuncture. The main objective of acupuncture is to bring the whole body into energetic balance which can then allow it to strengthen the immune system and the body’s capability for self-healing so the body itself can defeat and ward off anything standing in the way of physical and mental health. I encourage you to read my article on how acupuncture works as the principles are the same when dealing with Long Covid.
Acupuncture and a holistic approach to Long Covid
From my experience, the most common symptoms of Long Covid relate to what TCM considers “blood deficiency.” A “blood deficiency” indicates the exhaustion of the blood itself and the circulatory system as a whole which in turn impacts every other system in the body. Our blood carries our “immunity” (oxygen, red and white blood cells, nutrients, plasma, etc.,) and there is a source of our vitality. When blood is weak and undernourished, it affects everything else. It takes a lot for our blood to become deficient. A blood deficiency is the result of ongoing / chronic undernourishment and stress, and when you add on an overwhelming and acute immune response such as to Covid-19, blood deficiency is almost inevitable. It is interesting to note and many healers including Deepak Chopra have pointed out that often those who have suffered most acutely from Covid-19 tended to have higher inflammatory markers, usually the result of chronic and unmanaged stress.
The most common symptoms of blood deficiency which we can attribute to Covid-19 include symptoms such as pins and needles, dizziness, tingling, palpitations, insomnia, anxiety, and depression. There are many more.
In light of this, it is clear that for acupuncture to be effective, a holistic approach to Long Covid is needed. The approach needs to (i) balance the Qi in the body; (ii) manage and reduce the chronic stress and anxiety which keeps the blood deficient, and (iii) nourish the blood through the appropriate diet. Acupuncture and moxibustion can together help balance the Qi and support the parasympathetic nervous system helping relax the body and mind. As an acupuncturist and CBT therapist, I can support you and help you figure out how to manage stress and anxiety and recommend foods which will nourish your blood but your role is pivotal - making the choices that support your long-term health and wellbeing.
I have seen that there is a path to healing from Long Covid or any chronic illness and a holistic approach is the way. There is hope.
A client’s experience with Long Covid
To see how acupuncture may help you or a loved one suffering from Long Covid, I invite you to read a recent Google-maps review by my client:
I have been working with Andre, for a few weeks now specifically addressing my “Long Covid” symptoms, having contracted the original virus over a year ago. The Long Covid aspect has given me residual dizziness, weakness and a lack of energy throughout the day. I am a very busy individual and don’t want these aspects to affect my quality of life, hence why I always thought with the right approach, acupuncture would give me back some of the body gains and address the “auto-immune” post aspects of this virus.
Andre is a really knowledgeable acupuncturist, but I think he goes beyond that approach having the appreciation for Chinese Acupuncture, Japanese Toyohari Acupuncture and Moxa (Moxibustion). It is also great to have someone to listen to you and give real time feedback with the treatment, and not just dismiss your symptoms as “it’s in your head” or “you must be stressed” or “you are tired”.
Having had a few sessions, I noticed a big uptick in my energy levels and some of my residual symptoms like the dizziness have become more manageable. I can also safely drive and have no difficulties now! I also realise it is a gradual path to full health and beyond, but the treatment protocol I am on has certainly given me a boost physically already, as I look to make those gains by changing other aspects of my daily life.
Long covid is a new thing as this is a “novel virus”, and while everyone may respond differently to treatment, I would recommend Andre’s help to try and help make some improvements, with ultimately getting back to full health.
UPDATE (26th June): 2 and a half months now of intense programme and big improvements in all round symptoms and wellbeing. It's important to keep going on and believing in Andre's work and in oneself
Covid-19 Hygiene Compliance
I follow the Covid-19 hygiene guidelines when treating all patients.
- Ahead of treatment all patients are asked to confirm that they have not tested positive for Covid-19 or been in contact with any person who has tested positive with Covid-19 for at least 7 days.
- I use hypo-allergenic disinfectant to clean and sterilise all surfaces a patient comes in contact with.
- I sanitise before and after treatments. I use surgical spirit which is 90% Ethanol and 10% distilled water, it is environmentally friendly and very gentle to the skin even after long term use.
- I keep at least 30 mins between the patients and ventilate the premises thoroughly.
- I use all necessary personal protective equipment.
- I am taking immense care to look after all my patients many of which are vulnerable.
One of the most alarming and unfortunate aspects of a Covid-19 (Coronavirus) infection is the fact that many people continue to suffer from symptoms which continue or develop after the initial Covid-19 infection. The ongoing symptoms and the development of new symptoms can vary widely but for almost everyone who experiences them, they are confusing, debilitating and painful.
I have now treated a number of clients living with Long Covid, and the symptoms presented extend across the spectrum of the most commonly reported symptoms reported by the NHS. These symptoms range from fatigue, breathlessness and neurological symptoms such as cognitive impairment (“brain fog”), insomnia, dizziness, numbness and pins & needles, to migraines, joint pain, digestive & gastro-intestinal issues, diarrhoea, palpitations, chest pain, tight diaphragm, exacerbated skin conditions such as eczema / psoriasis. I would add to this list, symptoms such as generalised anxiety and depression whether resulting directly from the Covid-19 infection or the mental and emotional toll of dealing with the symptoms and not knowing how long they will last or how they may develop.
Can acupuncture help?
Acupuncture can certainly help people manage and treat the symptoms of Long Covid as well as correct imbalances in the body to strengthen the body overall. There is certainly hope, but the process towards wellness is gradual. Of course, one who is suffering from persistent and overwhelming symptoms post-Covid seeks immediate relief. However, that is only one objective of acupuncture. The main objective of acupuncture is to bring the whole body into energetic balance which can then allow it to strengthen the immune system and the body’s capability for self-healing so the body itself can defeat and ward off anything standing in the way of physical and mental health. I encourage you to read my article on how acupuncture works as the principles are the same when dealing with Long Covid.
Acupuncture and a holistic approach to Long Covid
From my experience, the most common symptoms of Long Covid relate to what TCM considers “blood deficiency.” A “blood deficiency” indicates the exhaustion of the blood itself and the circulatory system as a whole which in turn impacts every other system in the body. Our blood carries our “immunity” (oxygen, red and white blood cells, nutrients, plasma, etc.,) and there is a source of our vitality. When blood is weak and undernourished, it affects everything else. It takes a lot for our blood to become deficient. A blood deficiency is the result of ongoing / chronic undernourishment and stress, and when you add on an overwhelming and acute immune response such as to Covid-19, blood deficiency is almost inevitable. It is interesting to note and many healers including Deepak Chopra have pointed out that often those who have suffered most acutely from Covid-19 tended to have higher inflammatory markers, usually the result of chronic and unmanaged stress.
The most common symptoms of blood deficiency which we can attribute to Covid-19 include symptoms such as pins and needles, dizziness, tingling, palpitations, insomnia, anxiety, and depression. There are many more.
In light of this, it is clear that for acupuncture to be effective, a holistic approach to Long Covid is needed. The approach needs to (i) balance the Qi in the body; (ii) manage and reduce the chronic stress and anxiety which keeps the blood deficient, and (iii) nourish the blood through the appropriate diet. Acupuncture and moxibustion can together help balance the Qi and support the parasympathetic nervous system helping relax the body and mind. As an acupuncturist and CBT therapist, I can support you and help you figure out how to manage stress and anxiety and recommend foods which will nourish your blood but your role is pivotal - making the choices that support your long-term health and wellbeing.
I have seen that there is a path to healing from Long Covid or any chronic illness and a holistic approach is the way. There is hope.
A client’s experience with Long Covid
To see how acupuncture may help you or a loved one suffering from Long Covid, I invite you to read a recent Google-maps review by my client:
I have been working with Andre, for a few weeks now specifically addressing my “Long Covid” symptoms, having contracted the original virus over a year ago. The Long Covid aspect has given me residual dizziness, weakness and a lack of energy throughout the day. I am a very busy individual and don’t want these aspects to affect my quality of life, hence why I always thought with the right approach, acupuncture would give me back some of the body gains and address the “auto-immune” post aspects of this virus.
Andre is a really knowledgeable acupuncturist, but I think he goes beyond that approach having the appreciation for Chinese Acupuncture, Japanese Toyohari Acupuncture and Moxa (Moxibustion). It is also great to have someone to listen to you and give real time feedback with the treatment, and not just dismiss your symptoms as “it’s in your head” or “you must be stressed” or “you are tired”.
Having had a few sessions, I noticed a big uptick in my energy levels and some of my residual symptoms like the dizziness have become more manageable. I can also safely drive and have no difficulties now! I also realise it is a gradual path to full health and beyond, but the treatment protocol I am on has certainly given me a boost physically already, as I look to make those gains by changing other aspects of my daily life.
Long covid is a new thing as this is a “novel virus”, and while everyone may respond differently to treatment, I would recommend Andre’s help to try and help make some improvements, with ultimately getting back to full health.
UPDATE (26th June): 2 and a half months now of intense programme and big improvements in all round symptoms and wellbeing. It's important to keep going on and believing in Andre's work and in oneself
Covid-19 Hygiene Compliance
I follow the Covid-19 hygiene guidelines when treating all patients.
- Ahead of treatment all patients are asked to confirm that they have not tested positive for Covid-19 or been in contact with any person who has tested positive with Covid-19 for at least 7 days.
- I use hypo-allergenic disinfectant to clean and sterilise all surfaces a patient comes in contact with.
- I sanitise before and after treatments. I use surgical spirit which is 90% Ethanol and 10% distilled water, it is environmentally friendly and very gentle to the skin even after long term use.
- I keep at least 30 mins between the patients and ventilate the premises thoroughly.
- I use all necessary personal protective equipment.
- I am taking immense care to look after all my patients many of which are vulnerable.
Watford Acupuncture
Acupuncture
Watford, Radlett, St Albans, Hemel Hempstead, Borehamwood, Rickmansworth, London
Watford, Radlett, St Albans, Hemel Hempstead, Borehamwood, Rickmansworth, London