Energy & resilience
Acupuncture for Long COVID
After a COVID infection, some people continue to feel tired, short of breath or mentally exhausted for months. It can feel as if your body just won’t "start up" again. Acupuncture and laser acupuncture can be used to support recovery, with attention to the whole picture of energy, rest, breathing and digestion.
Which symptoms are associated with long COVID?
Long COVID or post-COVID syndrome refers to complaints that persist for more than three months after a COVID infection. Many people had a mild infection and recovered quickly, but some continue to have complaints for a long time, sometimes after a mild course and sometimes after a hospital stay.
Fatigue is prominent for almost everyone, often so severe that work, study, sport and social life are no longer possible. A characteristic feature is that even minimal exertion can require days of recovery. Other symptoms include shortness of breath, coughing or chest pressure, difficulty concentrating and memory problems, headaches, muscle and joint pain, reduced strength, poor sleep, digestive complaints, loss of smell or taste, and tingling in the arms, legs, hands or feet.
When the body does not cooperate for a long time, this also has an emotional impact. Frustration, low mood, anxiety and grief over what is no longer possible are common. Many people describe their body as being "locked": they want to, but the system does not work well together.
Traditional Chinese Medicine
Long COVID from a TCM perspective
In Traditional Chinese Medicine, long COVID is seen as a situation in which the infection and recovery have demanded a great deal of energy, depleting the reserves and disturbing the balance between Yin and Yang. In addition, the flow through the meridians may become obstructed. Treatment focuses on replenishing energy and restoring flow.
Lung and Spleen Qi deficiency
Fei Pi Qi XuWithin TCM, the Lung is connected with breathing and resistance, the Spleen with daily energy and digestion. A deficiency is associated with fatigue that worsens with exertion, shortness of breath, a weak voice, poor appetite and susceptibility to new infections.
Qi and Yin deficiency
Qi Yin Liang XuAfter a period of fever and inflammation, TCM describes that both Qi and Yin may be depleted. This is associated with exhaustion combined with restlessness, a dry throat or mouth, night sweats, poor sleep and a dry cough.
Residual Dampness
ShiWhen the illness has not been fully resolved, TCM describes Dampness that may remain. This is associated with a heavy body, a foggy head, difficulty concentrating, nausea and reduced appetite.
How can acupuncture and laser acupuncture help with long COVID?
We take the time to listen to what you are experiencing. We look not only at individual symptoms, but at the whole picture of energy, rest, breathing and digestion. Because fatigue is usually most prominent, it receives the most attention in treatment.
- 01Targeted acupuncture: very fine needles are used on acupuncture points that are applied within TCM to build energy, support flow and restore balance.
- 02Tailored to your symptoms: alongside fatigue, accompanying complaints are also addressed, such as shortness of breath, headaches, sleep problems, muscle pain or digestive complaints.
- 03Pacing rather than pushing: because exertion can worsen long COVID symptoms, treatment is built up gently and adapted to what your body can handle at that moment.
- 04Alongside your recovery plan: acupuncture can be combined with guidance from your GP, physiotherapist, occupational therapist or rehabilitation team. Attention is also given to sleep, nutrition and spreading your energy across the day.
Prefer no needles?
Every treatment can also be carried out completely needle-free with laser acupuncture, in which the same points are treated with therapeutic laser light. Ear acupuncture is always carried out with the laser. Acupressure, which also uses no needles, can be used as well.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is long COVID?
Long COVID or post-COVID syndrome refers to complaints that persist for more than three months after a COVID infection. Symptoms vary greatly from person to person, but fatigue occurs in almost everyone.
Can acupuncture help with long COVID?
Acupuncture can be used to support recovery from long COVID. Treatment focuses on the whole picture of energy, rest, breathing and digestion and is tailored to your symptoms and capacity.
Has acupuncture for long COVID been researched?
Yes, some research has been done. Several studies describe improvements in complaints such as fatigue, breathlessness, muscle pain, sleep and concentration, and in quality of life. Results vary per person and further research is still needed.
Can laser acupuncture be used for long COVID?
Yes. With long COVID, any form of exertion can be too much. Laser acupuncture is needle-free and asks little of the body, making it a gentle way to start. It can be used on its own or later combined with needle acupuncture.
Can I combine acupuncture with physiotherapy or rehabilitation?
Yes. Acupuncture combines well with guidance from a physiotherapist, occupational therapist or rehabilitation team. It is wise to coordinate the overall load of all treatments together.
How soon will I notice a difference?
This varies per person. With long COVID, energy reserves are often heavily depleted and recovery is usually gradual. After the first treatments, we review together how you respond and what a suitable follow-up would be.
Personal Treatment Plan
Not recovering after COVID?
During a first appointment, we take the time to listen to what you are experiencing and look at which form of acupuncture suits you best.