The devastating coronavirus pandemic has left immense suffering, not only for those who have experienced loss of loved one, of livelihoods, or “life as we knew it,” but also because of the phenomenon of people who had COVID-19 but who are weeks and months post-infection, who are experiencing a litany of symptoms (“long-haulers”).  

Among the symptoms that have been reported by people struggling to feel normal and vital again post-infection - even some who were not very sick in the acute infection stage - include pulmonary, cardiovascular, neurological, and gastrointestinal symptoms.  Symptoms reported include: fatigue, shortness of breath, persistent cough, exercise intolerance, chest pain, body aches, muscle weakness, difficulty concentrating (“brain fog”), impaired memory, nausea, diarrhea, mood disturbances including anxiety and depression, disrupted sleep, loss of smell and taste, racing heart, post-traumatic stress disorder.  The causes for these lingering symptoms of this sequela are not fully known - various theories exist, including systemic inflammation, an immune system dysfunction (an autoimmune type response), lingering infection.

The various therapies available at People Tree Wellness - acupuncture, gua sha, cupping, moxibustion, hypnotherapy, tapping therapy, yoga therapy, meditation and herbal/nutritional supplements as needed, can offer significant support to those suffering from these often quite confusing, frustrating, distressing and even debilitating symptoms.  These therapies can help to regulate the various systems of the body and “reset” what may have gotten “stuck” in reaction mode, enhance the body’s qi, and promote full recovery and healing. 

An integrative approach that takes into account the unique configuration of symptoms a person may be experiencing, and the bigger picture of their overall health, helps to determine what treatment course would be most appropriate for a given individual.  Based on this, what therapies are utilized and how often treatment is recommended, is determined.

Treatment course possibilities

An example of a treatment course I recommended to a patient who was struggling with fatigue, exercise intolerance, muscle aches and weakness, impaired concentration, anxiety, and insomnia:   

A three to four month program, including: 

• weekly acupuncture treatments for the first 6 weeks, that includes gua sha or cupping - reassessing after 6 weeks

• hypnotherapy and tapping sessions conducted remotely every two to three weeks to address mood and sleep disturbances;

• yoga therapy sessions (at least once/month) conducted remotely to teach an individualized practice designed to enhance breathing comfort, reduce anxiety, and reduce muscle aches and weakness; the patient has been instructed to practice daily.

• dietary changes have been recommended (anti-inflammatory foods and other specific foods determined according to her Chinese medicine diagnosis) to support her system in healing, and relevant nutritional/herbal supplements have been recommended.

Looking at other infectious diseases and the ways symptoms may linger (e.g., development of post-viral myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome/systemic exertion intolerance disease) helps inform our evolving understanding of this condition.  

If you are suffering from post-COVID symptoms and are interested, please contact me.

FAQs may be found here.

Sliding scale options for post-COVID care treatments are available for those in financial need. Please inquire for details.  

Some research:

A research letter reporting findings from a small study, published in JAMA, found that 60 days after the onset of COVID symptoms, 87.4% of patients continued to have symptoms - particularly fatigue and shortness of breath.

A research letter published in JAMA, finding that nine months post infection, 30% of patients report lingering symptoms: