What is long Covid?
NICE describes the term long COVID, which it uses "in addition to the clinical case definitions", as "commonly used to describe signs and symptoms that continue or develop after acute COVID-19. It includes both ongoing symptomatic COVID-19 (from four to twelve weeks) and post-COVID-19 syndrome (12 weeks or more)"
What are the main symptoms of long covid?
How many people are suffering from this?
What causes long covid?
Treatment and management
As of 2022, there are no established pharmaceutical treatments for long COVID.
Management of long COVID depends on symptoms, with current guidelines recommending multidisciplinary rehabilitation to improve symptoms and quality of life. Rest, planning and prioritising are advised for people with fatigue. People who suffer from fatigue after exercise may benefit from activity management with pacing.
However –
Acupuncture has been shown to improve long COVID symptoms at a high percentage rate shown in a recent study. Research demonstrated that acupuncture improved breathing and cognitive function ('brain fog') while reducing pain levels and fatigue. The research is consistent with the findings from related investigations and other published case studies.
In Canada, an investigation of 85 cases of long COVID found acupuncture effective. The total effectiveness rate was 85%, with 85% cured of shortness of breath and fatigue, 84% cured of body pain and 82% cured of brain fog. Seventy-two patients achieved the clinically cured level and 13 cases were non-responders.
We have treated a number of long covid cases with acupuncture those ranging from having it immediately post covid to 2 years after infection with excellent results.
If you would like to know more or book an appointment with our long Covid specialist Paul Browning please contact the Claygate clinic on 01372 464968.
Client Testimonials
When I first met Amanda Harris I was suffering considerable pain and lack of mobility in my left leg following a sports injury. As I had historical left knee issues I feared that I would not regain my previous level of left knee/leg functionality. Amanda quickly identified the problem – a torn calf muscle – and recommended a highly effective course of treatment and exercises so that I was back to my previous fitness level within six weeks. Amanda has now created for me an excellent exercise programme to help me protect and maintain my left knee and leg to minimise the risk of further injury. She is highly knowledgeable, very personable, reassuring and professionally proficient – I am so pleased and grateful to have benefited from her expertise.Julie, Global bank based in London
Amanda has helped me through a torn hamstring which has taken over two months to recover. This is the second time I have had a hamstring injury in the past eighteen months so it’s taken longer to heal. Amanda has shown me great exercises which have really helped ease the pain. Amanda has used amazing techniques and sports tape so it’s easier to move without hurting yourself and to loosen the muscles. And for those reasons I recommend Amanda and the rest of The Physio Company.Amazing techniques to heal torn hamstring