Acupuncture Restores Post-COVID Fatigue, Loss of Smell and Taste

Many people are aware of the hallmark symptom for COVID: loss of taste and smell. Researchers have found that the temporary loss of smell (anosmia) may be a better indicator of a COVID infection than other symptoms of fever, headache, body aches, cough, digestive upset or shortness of breath. It has been suggested that the olfactory nerve cells can be affected because of the swelling of surrounding nasal mucosa tissues and cells being inflamed by the viral replication process. One study showed about 82% of mild-moderate positive COVID cases had loss of taste and 71% of people had loss of smell, while 18.6% of people had both. The timing of loss of taste and smell starts three to four days after the onset of COVID symptoms and can last anywhere from seven to 14 days. It has even been prevalent in non-symptomatic patients as well.

Some people have lingering symptoms post-COVID infection such as fatigue, body aches, chest tightness and lack of taste and smell long after recovering from the virus. I have seen several cases in my practice and am excited to share how powerful acupuncture treatments are at restoring the full function of taste and smell. In those patients with loss of taste and smell, treatments can often bring back the joy in their life. Food plays such a big part of enjoying what you eat, tasting and smelling the aromas and connecting with people socially. Patients with anosmia may feel depressed, have a lower appetite and do not enjoy eating. There is a solution.

Acupuncture has been used in China for thousands of years and uses hair-thin needles that are inserted in energy points on meridians (energetic channels) within the body. It balances anything that is out of balance, boosts the immune system, opens the chest, enhances breathing, opens the nasal pathways, balances hormones and releases natural endorphins to make you feel good. It can treat a multitude of conditions ranging from allergies, digestive upset, migraines, hormone imbalance, pain and emotional issues such as anxiety, depression and stress. The great thing about acupuncture is that it works on many different conditions at once, getting to the root cause and treating it naturally by restoring the energetic balance in the body, mind and spirit.

Chinese medicine ancient texts have been treating loss of smell and taste for more than 2,000 years as a Traditional Chinese medicine pattern of  lung dysfunction. The lung qi (energy) is responsible for boosting the immune system or Wei Qi. When it becomes compromised, cold/ viral symptoms may present, chills, fever, sore throat, runny nose, headache, etc. Acupuncture releases the pathogen, tonifies the lung qi, boosts the immune system and can help reduce aches and pains, open the nose, reduce coughing and open the chest. In turn, this helps the body recover faster.

There are many studies showing the benefits of acupuncture. One study showed marked improvement in nerve regeneration of the olfactory nerve and improved smell in post radiation of the head and neck patients and chronic sinusitis/allergic sinusitis patients. Taste also improved in the post-radiation patients. Although there are not many studies yet showing the benefits of acupuncture for post-COVID loss of taste and smell, I am certain that there will be. So far with what I have seen in my practice, acupuncture made a huge difference in my patients who have been dealing with it.

Here are a couple of case studies from my own practice.

BD: 65-year-old male had 90% decreased smell and taste for nine months after two separate COVID infections. He stopped enjoying food. After one acupuncture treatment, he was able to smell peppermint oil that I placed on him. The effects of the first treatment lasted for one week and his smell was 60% better. He was able to taste certain foods like steak and pineapple. He continued to use peppermint oil daily. After two more treatments, he is enjoying food again and is happy to be able to have his sense of smell fully restored 100%.

SS: 58-year-old woman had COVID three weeks ago and now has low energy and loss of smell. After one treatment, her smell was 80% better and her energy had much improved. The smell seemed to come and go over the next few treatments and then after the fifth treatment, her smell was 90%. Her energy is still going strong and she is having fewer cycles of her smell coming and going.

Both patients continue to come in for acupuncture tune ups to keep symptoms at bay.

Know that there are many supportive and preventative therapies available to keep your immune system strong and lessen the severity of getting COVID, such as higher doses of Vitamin D, Vitamin C, Vitamin A and Zinc. Strongly consider getting acupuncture treatments to strengthen the lung qi, boost the immune system and promote healing. It is a viable option for people suffering from post-COVID symptoms, like fatigue, body aches and loss of taste and smell, that continue to linger. FBN

By Christina Kovalik NMD, LAc

Dr. Christina Kovalik NMD, LAc, The Vitality Doctor, is a naturopathic physician and acupuncturist specializing in hormone optimization, optimal health and vitality. She is a new Flagstaff resident, practicing since 2004, and opened her second location in Doney Park in 2020.

For more information, visit thevitalitydoctor.com or call 928-863-6086.