Acupuncture for Post-COVID Syndrome
Acupuncture can play an important role in treating post COVID syndrome. About a third of people who have had COVID develop long-term symptoms. Lingering effects of COVID can include headaches, fatigue, insomnia, loss of taste and smell, brain fog, heart palpitations, body aches and shortness of breath. Also common are psychological challenges including anxiety, irritability and depression.
In the early 70’s, acupuncture became known as a powerful tool for pain management. It is now common knowledge that acupuncture can strengthen the immune system, manage inflammation, help regulate the autonomic nervous system, and improve organ function. It has also been shown that acupuncture can be a valuable treatment for mental and emotional health challenges.
How does acupuncture help with post-COVID syndrome? COVID can challenge many different systems in the body including the airways, lungs, heart, liver and kidneys. Additionally, the immune and autonomic nervous systems can become dysregulated.
A recent client suffered from persistent insomnia between the hours of 11PM and 5AM. For this patient, I used the Chinese body clock. The ancient Chinese observed that each organ enjoys a two-hour energetic peak at the same time every day. In health, the Qi transits from one organ to the next every two hours. Sometimes with illness, the energy can become blocked. Energetic blocks are often found with health problems.

I treated my client with acupuncture to remove the energetic block and support his recovery from post-COVID syndrome. His sleep pattern improved and he is now able to get a good night’s rest.
We have also had post-COVID patients struggling with exhaustion, headaches, SOB, irritability, and loss of smell. Each of these problems is linked to an energetic imbalance that can be addressed with acupuncture. Acupuncture is not meant as a substitute for other treatments. Rather, it can be used as a powerful adjunct in addressing the problems faced by long COVID.
Women’s Hormonal Health And Acupuncture
Women’s menstrual cycles are directly related to a series of changes of three key hormones: estrogen, testosterone and progesterone. In the first two weeks of the cycle, estrogen and testosterone rise significantly. This can result in an increase of social interest and libido.
Following ovulation, estrogen and testosterone plunge, progesterone rises. As estrogen levels fall, there is a concurrent drop in serotonin, which is closely related to mood regulation. This change helps to explain why in the third week of a women’s cycle, there may be an increase of irritability, an increase in appetite and a decrease of social interest, libido and sleep.
During the fourth week, estrogen and testosterone plunge. It is at this time that some women experience PMS.
Hormonal imbalances are not an uncommon problem for women. Health challenges including migraines, infertility, irregular periods, sleep problems, irritability, and, hair loss are often linked to a hormonal imbalance.
Acupuncture is an important tool that can help regulate hormonal imbalances for both sexes. My studies with Kiiko Matsumoto, Japanese acupuncturist have helped me develop a comprehensive approach to supporting hormonal balance.
During palpation, discomfort from slight pressure applied to reflex point shows me which hormonal systems are out of balance. For example, a person that has chronic exhaustion could be suffering from an adrenal imbalance or a thyroid problem. With the use of palpation, I can find which system is out of balance. As the treatment progresses I use the reflex points to monitor progress. As a Five Element Acupuncturist, my goal is to resolve these issues by treating the whole person, not just the symptom. Regular treatments lead to increased vitality and health.
The contents in this article are not meant to be diagnostic or prescriptive. Women’s hormonal problems are often complex and a physician should always be consulted before choosing a course of treatment.
By David Frome • Acupuncture • • Tags: acupuncture, adrenal imbalance, estrogen, hormonal balance, Hormonal Health, menstrual cycle, PMS, progesterone, serotonin, testosterone, thyroid problem