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Natural Awakenings Naples and Fort Myers

How Local Acupuncture Physicians Treat Long-Haul Covid

Feb 27, 2022 08:28PM ● By Linda Sechrist

Nearly three years into the pandemic, some individuals that experienced the first wave of COVID-19 or the second wave of The Omicron variant continue to deal with a range of symptoms that can last weeks or months after being infected with the virus, even if their illness was mild or presented no symptoms. While uncomfortable and inconvenient, the most common lingering “long COVID” indications such as fatigue, loss of taste and smell, shortness of breath or troubled breathing, cognitive dysfunction described as “brain fog”, and tiny blood clots can even show up as a relapse, with old or new symptoms. 


According to the World Health Organization, the constellation of post-symptoms long-haulers experience generally occurs three months after symptomatic COVID-19 begins and lasts for at least two months. Sometimes symptoms never disappear after the initial infection. Occasionally, they appeared months after recovery, or after an asymptomatic case. This may mean that individuals in recovery from COVID-19 are not necessarily in the clear. 


While scientists continue proposing numerous hypotheses such as a weakened immune system, widespread inflammation, low levels of certain antibodies, reactivated viruses in the blood stream and existing conditions such as diabetes or asthma for myriad symptoms, local acupuncture physicians are offering individuals some relief with needling, Chinese herbal formulas, homeopathic remedies and laser therapy.


Lotus Blossom Clinic, Fort Myers

“While I always examine an individual before determining how to treat them, I generally use some acupuncture points to help get the energy moving in the body, particularly for someone noting that their energy level is low,” says David Martin, AP, DOM, co-owner of Lotus Blossom Clinic.


“For patients that also have a qi deficiency in the lungs, Chinese herbs and homeopathic remedies are helpful. Additionally, our new practitioner, acupuncture physician Michelle Brown, has used her medical laser to treat injured lungs, including my own, which were impacted by COVID-19,” says Martin.


With a stethoscope resting on a patient’s chest, Brown listens for crackly sounds that could be the result of congestion in the lungs. “I’ve had success with two separate cases of long COVID in the lungs, where I treated each lobe with a 15-minute protocol that was used in scientific research performed with my FDA-cleared Multiwave Locked System (MLS) Class 4 laser. This laser, which uses light to favor and accelerate the body’s natural healing process, is the most progressive for treating pain, inflammation and edema,” says Brown. 


Patented MLS technology delivers therapeutic wavelengths of 808 nanometers (anti-edemic and anti-inflammatory) and 905 nanometers (analgesic). An energetic synergy is created when delivering these wavelengths that produces greater anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects than either can produce on its own, while minimizing the risk of thermal damage. 


Fort Myers Acupuncture & Massage

“In patients I’ve treated, it appeared that the immune system was still battling the virus, which has several viral components. I strengthened the immune system using acupuncture points to help the body clear itself of the virus, in addition to the use of homeopathic antiviral injections, which also provide support for the immune system,” says Brian Healy, AP, DOM, owner of Fort Myers Acupuncture & Massage.  


Healy, trained in acupuncture, Chinese medicine, Western biomedicine and Ayurveda, adds that old injuries or previous areas of concern in the body may flare up, which is why treatment is always an individualized approach. “Along with acupuncture protocols, I’ve also had success using a Chinese formula called 8 Treasures, which helps to tonify qi and blood.” 


Lotus Blossom Clinic, 6710 Winkler Rd. #2, in Fort Myers; 239-277-1399, LotusBlossomClinic.com. See ad, page 53.  


Fort Myers Acupuncture & Massage, 16680 McGregor Blvd., Ste. 2, in Fort Myers; 239-437-9355, FortMyersAcupunctureMassage.com. See ad, page 53.


CasaShanti Emporium, 205 Cottage St., in Fort Myers, hosts Dr. Tenelle Wilson AP, for a 10-person acupuncture clinic every Mon. evening in Mar. 239-560-5224. See ad, page 43.


Acupuncture Center of Naples, 5683 Naples Blvd., in Naples. 239-5139232, [email protected]. See ad, page 6.


Gulf Coast Acupuncture, 6249 Presidential Ct., Ste E, in Ft Myers. 239-841-6611, GulfCoastAcupuncture.com. See ad, page 53.