More and more news is coming out about COVID-19 long haulers. Long haulers are people who suffer from COVID-related symptoms for weeks to months after contracting the virus. After the recent Portland Press Herald article, our Jade provider team got to thinking about how we can help our fellow Mainers who are facing long term side effects.

The long term side effects experienced by long haulers can vary from loss of smell/taste, pins and needles feeling, fatigue, brain fog, dizziness, shortness of breath, joint pain, heart palpitations, sleep issues, digestion issues and chest pain. Integrated care is a great option for long haul patients because it can relieve current symptoms, while building the body’s natural ability to heal and return to balance.

Physical Therapy

Jade Integrated Health offers physical therapy services that can address patient’s musculoskeletal symptoms and help individuals regain their prior level of function. On your first visit, your Physical Therapist will assess your physical ability & help set goals for treatment. Ongoing treatments will incorporate specific activities, exercises, manual treatment and other modalities. These services can promote improvements in balance, coordination, strength, endurance, and gait and mobility training.

Acupuncture and Traditional East Asian Medicine

Through the lens of Traditional East Asian Medicine, the COVID-19 virus is considered a Pestilence, or Pathogenic Damp Toxin. These diseases typically progress to deplete the body of Qi (Energy) and weaken the Yin (Muscle and Organs). Qi and Yin Deficiency can present as a lingering cough, chronic fatigue, low grade fever, or even mental/emotional disorders like memory issues and anxiety.

The Five Pillars of Traditional East Asian Medicine are Acupuncture, Herbal Medicine, Massage, Dietary Prescription, and QiGong/Therapeutic Exercise. Herbal remedies from the 2,000 year old classic ShangHanLun are being used in Chinese Hospitals at various stages of COVID-19 treatment and recovery. Acupuncture is an excellent modality for reducing inflammation and increasing low energy levels often seen in patients who have endured a prolonged illness. Hospitals in China have even used Traditional QiGong forms like the BaDuanJin (The Eight Brocades) as rehabilitation to increase lung function.

Yoga and Qigong

Yoga and Qigong are gentle and adaptive options for long haul patients who are looking to return to exercise or increase their current exercise level. Practicing regularly increases lung function, strength, blood flow, digestion and flexibility, and decreases inflammation and stress/anxiety. A regular structured movement practice can also stimulate a feeling of vitality in the body and combat fatigue. At Jade Integrated Health, our instructors create individualized therapy plans for each patient and their goals. Being still in a healing and nurturing pose or working through a rejuvenating flow can make a world of difference during recovery.

At Jade Integrated Health, our collaborative treatment is highly individualized and are always a one-on-one visit with a provider. If you have recovered from COVID, but have not yet returned to your full strength or function and are experiencing long term issues, acupuncture and physical therapy may be a good therapy option. Call us today!