We are hearing from more patients at Precision who want to know if acupuncture is a good treatment for post COVID symptoms. We are pleased to say, our answer is yes. Certain benefits of acupuncture can help provide relief for post COVID symptoms.
The correlation between acupuncture and long COVID becomes clear when you examine the benefits of acupuncture and compare them to symptoms patients experience after they “are recovered” from COVID.
You’ve likely heard about long COVID. A patient finally gets a negative COVID test, only to be hit with lingering symptoms. And, some patients with no COVID symptoms while the virus is active, are shocked to experience difficulties later on.
So, what is the correlation between acupuncture and long COVID? Let’s take a look at what acupuncture offers.
The Benefits of Acupuncture
The ancient art of acupuncture stimulates the body to heal itself. At Precision we are licensed in the therapy, and see the benefits of acupuncture in our patients everyday.
During therapy, we insert fine needles into specific spots on the body, to stimulate correlating nerves and tissue. The result is profound. Our patients begin producing natural chemicals that can provide pain relief, reduce inflammation, and boost the immune system. Certain neurotransmitters are released as well, which help to calm the mind.
Now, let’s take a look at how acupuncture can help as a treatment for post COVID symptoms.
Understanding Post Covid Symptoms
Many long COVID symptoms are a result of inflammation, a weakened immune system, and the dysfunction of neurotransmitters. Now, compare these physical problems with the benefits of acupuncture. Do you see how acupuncture targets the source of some long COVID symptoms?
To be specific, the CDC’s list of long COVID symptoms includes:
- Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
- Fatigue
- Difficulty thinking or concentrating
- Cough
- Chest or stomach pain
- Headache
- Racing heart
- Joint, or muscle pain
- A feeling of pins-and-needles
- Diarrhea
- Insomnia
- Fever
- Lightheadedness
- Rash
- Mood changes (anxiety and depression)
- Changes in smell or taste
- Changes in menstrual cycles
One physical manifestation that seems to be evident in many patients who develop long COVID is called a “cytokine storm”. Cytokines are inflammatory markers and in a “storm” they remain at an elevated level. Essentially, the patient’s body is stuck in overdrive. Calming the “storm” is essential to providing relief from symptoms of long COVID.
The Benefits of Acupuncture in Treating Post Covid Symptoms
It’s too early for controlled, clinical studies on the benefits of acupuncture to treat post COVID symptoms. There are smaller, published studies, and the results are good. Areas that stand out as benefits of acupuncture to treat long COVID, are improvements in breathing, heart rate, taste, smell, and sense of wellbeing.
There is a published study in Harvard Magazine that references the troubling cytokine storm. The article reports electro acupuncture will suppress inflammation post COVID, if performed early in the cytokine storm. Knowing when to provide the acupuncture is key, as it is not suggested as a therapy at the height of the storm. This underscores the importance of seeking treatment from a licensed acupuncturist, who meets state requirements, and stays up to date on education.
Contact Us for a Complimentary Evaluation
Acupuncture is a holistic way to boost your immune system, and give your body a chance to rebalance itself. That is good news for long COVID patients.
We are proud to be your premier clinic for acupuncture, massage, and other holistic therapies. We are so committed to your health, that we invite you to begin your healing journey with a complimentary first visit. It includes a consultation, and treatment. If you have any questions, contact us online, or give us a call at (262) 439-8019.
Our practice is located in Brookfield, conveniently off I-94, just minutes from downtown Milwaukee.
