Lung scarring is one of the long term symptoms of COVID. It is one of the “long haul” symptoms. I have successfully treated lung and bronchial scarring from a lot of coughing. The same treatment should work for COVID. I use a technology called Frequency Specific Microcurrent (FSM). It can treat any inflammation in the body, so it can also treat many of the other long haul symptoms. Heart problems from inflammation of the heart, cognitive problems from inflammation of the brain, the inflammation of the capillaries and blood vessels that lead to problems everywhere. And there are acupuncture points that can also help. One calms down inflammation anywhere in the body, which helps with body aches. Another can down regulate the immune system that triggers the inflammatory response. These two points are my primary points for treatment of chronic fatigue and fibromyalgia. But these functions are not well known in the acupuncture community. I found these functions by accident treating people in my 30 years in practice. But I can also treat the immune system with FSM by treating it for inflammation as well or treating a tissue for an allergy reaction. And if you are scared of needles, FSM doesn’t use needles at all. At most you might feel a slight tingling if that.
Biotoxins and COVID-19
Why COVID-19 affects the Blood Vessels
Biotoxicns from the COVID-19 virus can cause release of cytokines in the immune system’s response to the virus. This causes the inflammatory response seen in COVID-19 as well as also can cause endothelial cells that line the blood vessels to release the “glues” that hold the lining of the blood vessels in place. Instead they bind to the white blood cells and hold them in place at the receptor site. This creates blockages in the capillaries disrupting normal blood flow. This then causes the tissues downstream to not get enough oxygen and to not get rid of the toxins of metabolism to be efficiently removed. This then leads to the symptoms of fatigue and achy pains (muscle tissue affected) or burning pains (nerve tissue affected). It can also disrupt normal function of tissues. Since the capillaries are located in every tissue of the body, this can be one mechanism that causes the virus to affect so many systems of the body. And if the patient is unfortunate enough to genetically not produce the antibody to deal with the virus (which is why some do OK and others do not) the release of cytokines is uncontrolled and then leads to serious chronic illness. Most physicians don’t know about these processes because it is more in the realm of treating multi-allergy or multi-sensitivity patients such as from mold toxicity. The biochemistry is well understood but not widely known. I am just good at seeing relationships others don’t see, usually because of my unique knowledge base. Here I see the connection between the unusual sympptoms seen in COVID-19 and the phenomena commonly seen in mold toxicity and Epstein-Barr(another virus) infections. With mold toxicity, about 1/4 of the population genetically can’t produce the antibiodys to fight off the mold. Which leads to chronic illness. The same might be happening with COVID-19. Which would explain why some do fine and others have real trouble.
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.
Treating COVID-19
I do not claim to have a cure. But from what I have heard on the news about it, I do know some things that might help. Again, not a cure. So let me just tell you what I have heard and how specifically I could help.
First and most importantly, is the inflammation in the lungs that causes the lungs not to work that well which then causes the blood oxygen levels to go down. Then the patient has to go on oxygen and possibly a ventilator it it gets bad. There are acupuncture points whose classical function is to clear heat, especially out of the lungs and large intestines. Heat in Chinese medicine relates to infection or inflammation in Western medicine. There also is a point that strengthens the lungs so they can work better. Now I also use FSM in my clinic and there are frequencies that can be used to treat inflammation in the lungs directly. Now I have also heard that the inflammation is often caused by an overactive immune system. Well it so happens that the same point that strengthens the lungs also down regulates an overactive immune system. It also upregulates a deficient immune system. Unfortunately most acupuncturists don’t know that little tidbit. And if their immune system is weak, there are ways with both acupuncture ans FSM to strengthen it. And I have also heard that even if you get over it you might be left with scarring on the lungs. FSM can be used to treat that too. Now if you have been diagnosed you probably are quite stressed out over it. And that is the easiest thing to treat. In fact I am offering free treatments to our front line workers to treat their stress. I even have an effective treatment for PTSD. There is even herb formulas that have antiviral herbs that do work for normal flu viruses. One formula also has anti-bacterial herbs to help with pneumonia. So you see, there is a lot I can do to help but not a cure.
How I run my clinic in the age of COVID-19
Before any patient arrives, I disinfect any surface they might touch such as door handles, bathroom fixtures and the like. I wear a surgical mask for patients without symptoms and I have a respirator for those that do. I ask my patients to wear a mask if they have one and I can give them one if they don’t. I take everyone’s temperature. Of course I wash my hands regularly with soap and water and use hand sanitizer as well. I would wear a glove but I have only one hand that works (from a stroke) and it is impossible to put a glove on my good hand by myself. I can do acupuncture with one hand, I’m just a little slower. I have an ozone and ion air cleaner I can use as well. It forces any water droplets to fall to the ground. I disinfect all the surfaces between patients as well. I am not that busy during this crisis so it is not that hard to do.