23/01/2024
Acupuncture for long Covid
Acupuncture is just one branch of Chinese or Traditional East Asian medicine. Central to its theories are that good health is promoted by the unimpaired and smooth flow of the bodies life force or energy through specific meridians or channels. When these channels become blocked through physical or emotional injuries including infection by external pathogens, it is then that disease and it’s associated symptoms can occur.
The idea of external pathogenic disease is not a modern concept at all, indeed it has been documented in Chinese medicine for nearly 2000 years, with the Shang Han Lun detailing the pathology of wind/cold infections as early as 200Ce. This ancient theory of treatment involves breaking the progress of the infection down into 6 stages, each representing how deep the disease is penetrating the body. Later written works look at the pathogenic invasion of wind/heat infections and the theory of 4 stages similarly describes the symptoms experienced as a disease progresses from the exterior of the body deeper to the interior.
Having an understanding of these principles will allow a trained and experienced acupuncturist to treat the pathogen at the correct stage or level of pe*******on within the body.
Covid is seen in terms of its symptoms as being an invasion of a wind/cold pathogen that attacks the lungs and their normal function. Lung infections are seen as serious in Chinese medicine as they are the organs that help regulate the bodies immune system, hence lung infections often linger in the body Longer than other types of infections because the immune system is compromised, often leaving the body unable to expel the pathogen fully.
A consultation involves a deep questioning of the specific symptoms of the initial infection and subsequent traits and features that have emerged since.
Lung infections often cause skin rashes, sweating and feelings of heat or cold and in some cases alternating feelings of heat and cold, head aches at the back of the head and neck and an accumulation of phlegm either in the lungs or nose, and shortness of breath.
Infections are further differentiated by how deep they have penetrated the body, lungs are attacked first, then the infection can go deeper affecting other organs often in the order of stomach and bowels, leading to feeling bloated or causing a lack of appetite, irregular bowel movements then follow. The involvement of the Heart and Kidney means palpitations, a disturbed expression of urine and lower back aches are generally seen, while progression to the liver can result in lower chest pain and feelings of anger, or being wound up.
All of the above manifestations are treated with a different prescription of needles depending on the symptoms exhibited, with the ultimate aim of assisting your own immune system to eliminate the residual pathogen that has been causing your symptoms, whether that be shortness of breath, digestive issues, joint or muscle aches, fatigue, lack of energy, brain fog, or circulation problems, acupuncture could prove effective for you. The points most widely used will be found on the arms and hands, legs and feet and in some cases points either side of the spine are used.
It is always beneficial to look at a patients diet and to recommend foods either to add or to avoid that will assist in the healing process. In general terms damp forming foods that make the body more prone to accumulating damp and phlegm such as dairy, wheat, and processed sugars are to be cut down or avoided along with foods that have an inflammatory effect such as red meats, processed meats, and deep fried foods. Foods such as apple, pear, turnips,daikon, radish, onions garlic and ginger are regarded as being good for lung health and it is often appropriate to look to add these to your daily diet in some way.
If you would like to book an appointment, or simply find out more about how acupuncture could potentially help you or a loved one suffering with this condition, then please feel free to contact myself Charlie Glover on 07429 348 196 or via e-mail: info@charliegloveracupuncture.co.uk for a free 15 minute consultation.
