Inflammation can be caused by many things: infections, untreated injuries, exposure to certain toxins, and even autoimmune disorders where your body attacks healthy tissue. However, over the last few years a new culprit has emerged as a leading cause of on-going inflammation: long term COVID.
For most, moderate COVID-19 symptoms last about two weeks. But in other patients, long-term effects of the pathogen can cause lingering health concerns and can set off massive inflammation in the body.
According to the National Institute of Health (NIH), long COVID symptoms have been linked to inflammation. NIH and NYU researchers examined the effects of long COVID on hamsters and found that the olfactory epithelium – the lining inside the nose – showed extensive signs of inflammation long after the virus could be detected. Parts of the brain involved in processing smell, learning, and emotion were inflamed, as well.
A recent study published in Nature echoes these findings about COVID-related inflammation. The study helps explain how immune overreactions happen to patients who previously had COVID due to the front-line immune cells – monocytes and macrophages – being infected.
“All the patients we studies had signs of respiratory distress and pneumonia. The ones who had [COVID] had many more of these inflammasomes and dying cells,” said Dr. Judith Lieberman, a pediatric immunologist at Boston Children’s Hospital. “So it’s likely that [COVID] is particularly good at inducing it, but we don’t know why.”
Long COVID itself can be detrimental to day-to-day activities, but inflammation impacting these systems could result in further significant mood disorders like severe anxiety and depression.
Luckily, one of our specialties has shown to be a great help with the inflammation that’s been associated with long COVID.
Acupuncture for Inflammation
Acupuncture is an ancient form of complementary medicine that has been used to treat all kinds of health concerns for centuries. This treatment involves inserting thin needles into the skin to stimulate certain points of the body and correct imbalances.
The National Library of Medicine adds that the attributive effect of acupuncture has been specifically investigated in inflammatory cases. Since acupuncture stimulates the nerve endings deep below the skin’s surface, it can be shown to hinder inflammation and other imbalances throughout the body.
Typically, about a dozen of these needles are treated at once and there are multiple types of acupuncture that we practice here at Chiropractic Health and Acupuncture:
- Auricular (relating to the ears)
- Children’s Treatments
- Cosmetic
- Disposable Needles
- Electrical Stimulation
- General Acupuncture
- Laser
- Moxibustion
- Traditional
It’s important to note that a vaccine injury could also lead to inflammation.
Take better care of your body today. Get rid of any unwanted inflammation from long COVID with Acupuncture. Dr. Sadlon provides health and wellness services and has been practicing acupuncture in the Rochester area since 1986. He takes an individualized and holistic approach to each patient, customizing treatment plans to identify how acupuncture can help. Call today at 585-586-7630 or schedule a consultation.