Treating “Long Haul” COVID-19 Symptoms

People who get the COVID-19 virus get symptoms that can last for months. Many of these problems I know how to treat with either acupuncture or with Frequency Specific Microcurrent (FSM, a needle-less form of electro-acupuncture). So let’s go over them and how I would treat them.

Fatigue

I see this similar to Chronic Fatigue. I have found that two points in particular help. Lung 1 strengthens the lungs and improves energy. It also moistens the lungs so helps with a non-productive cough as well. Du 20 raises the yang which also helps with energy. Low energy typically causes pain as well. Large Intestine 11 clears heat which translates to treating infections and inflammation in Western medicine. I have found it useful in treating inflammation in the whole body and helps treat body aches.

Shortness of breath, scarring in the lungs and bronchials

Shortness of breath can be due to inflamed bronchials or scarring. The two points mentioned above help but FSM is capable of treating the scarring as well as inflammation.

Dry Cough

Lung 1 and Large Intestine 11 are again indicated. There is also a Chinese cough syrup that helps a lot. It has Fritillaria which clears heat (heat dries out the lungs), loquat which moistens, in a honey base which coats the throat. If you take it too long, your cough will go away then come back as a productive cough.

Irritation and inflammation of the blood vessels

This is one of the effects of the virus that makes it so dangerous and capable of effecting anywhere in the body. This usually causes inflammation of the organ/tissues affected. FSM can treat the blood vessels and can treat inflammation anywhere in the body. This includes the heart, kidneys, the blood vessels themselves and the brain. So it can treat symptoms of muddled thinking, and trouble with the heart or kidneys. And pretty much any other tissues or organs that might be affected. This is also what is seen in mold toxicity and it is possible that the virus is producing toxins that act the sane way. So treating the toxins the same way might be beneficial. Basically you take substances that bind the toxins in the intestines so they don’t get reabsorbed. Typical over the counter products used are activated charcoal and Bentonite clay.

Overactive Immune System

This is a reaction of the body to the virus that causes the inflammation in the lungs initially and probably in the blood vessels as well. Lung 1 as the additional function of regulating the immune response of the body. It has been my experience that an overactive immune response is caused by lung weakness that is indicated by a weak lung pulse. Lung 1 does a good job of bringing the immune system back into balance in these cases. Occasionally you will get a patient that has an excess pulse. This is usually caused by or indicates heat in the lungs or Large Intestines (infection or inflammation). This pattern is treated by needling Large Intestine 4 and 11. FSM can also be used to help treat the inflammation. Herbs can also be used to help treat a lung infection.

So, you see, I can do much to treat COVID-19. Not a cure but maybe the next best thing. I just haven’t had a chance to try it yet. But all these treatments I have done before to treat similar things. So I know they do work.

So you see Lung 1 can be of great use in preventing the problems that come from an overactive immune system which causes most of the problems that the virus can cause. FSM can be of great value in treating the inflammation that is often seen in COVID-19. So since I know how to do these things (I am just about the only acupuncturist in Puget Sound that does FSM) I can both prevent long haul problems and treat them as well. There is also a Chinese patent formula that has antivirals in it and id used to treat the common colds and flues. There is also a formula the has both antivirals and antibacterials and is normally used to treat pneumonia. These may be useful as well. I use both together to treat a flu and it usually only lasts 4 days. I am not claiming a cure. Far from it. I just know things the should help a lot. I just haven’t had a chance to try it yet. But the effects I talk about I have done with other patients. So I know they work.