Physician reassures sufferers of chronic COVID symptoms that relief is possible

Taste and/or odour senses are distorted or lost. Brain fog. Tinnitus. Fatigue. Digestive issues. Some of the most debilitating symptoms for millions of COVID-survivors didn’t disappear after their tests came back negative. Many doctors tell their patients that they will never recover. Physician Robert Groysman MD assures COVID long haulers (AKA, long COVID), that there are treatments which are effective 70% to 80% of the time or more.

Many COVID long-term survivors are in desperate need of relief

Estimated 15% of COVID-survivors suffer from long COVID symptoms, which persist after the initial viral infection. These symptoms are not easy to deal with. People with a distorted smell sense are always second-guessing themselves. Do they need to take another shower? Why does deodorant smell bad to them? Some people are so sickened by food they require gastric tubes to feed themselves.

No wonder many long-haulers suffer from PTSD, anxiety and/or depression. Also, they are vulnerable to unscrupulous “experts” who promise help.

They may have normal blood tests, CT scans or MRIs but still feel unwell. Many people waste money on medications, nasal sprays and washes that do not work. Groysman is a Diplomate of both the American Board of Anesthesia as well as the American Board of Pain Medicine. It’s because doctors are treating the wrong thing. “The problem with neurologic symptoms that last for a long time is that even though everything appears normal, it may not work properly.”

A long COVID is a disbalance

Groysman says that COVID symptoms can last for a long time because the sympathetic nervous system, which is responsible for the temporary fight-or flight response, has been overstimulated.

This down-regulates our autonomic nervous systems, which are responsible for automatic functions we don’t usually think about, such as digestion, breathing and swallowing. The two systems must be balanced like a seesaw.

He stresses, “The nervous system and the olfactory system are not broken.” We wouldn’t have been able to reverse symptoms in just five minutes if they were broken.

Solutions for a substantial relief

Groysman says that he has observed long-term COVID sufferers experiencing the greatest relief when they use one of these methods to reset the nervous system’s balance.

Stellate Ganglion Block – SGB has been used to treat many disorders, including PTSD and painful syndromes such as CRPS. Groysman discovered accidentally that the SGB procedure works for long COVID symptoms. “I was treating a veteran with PTSD. “He also had COVID, and we saw a rapid resolution of his olfactory symptom with SGB,” recalls the doctor.

SGB releases the gas pedal. This outpatient procedure uses ultrasound to guide the physician in blocking the nerves that the sympathetic nervous systems use to communicate from the head to the rest of the human body. The whole procedure takes between 10 and 15 minutes, without any sedation. Usually, the results of taste and smell are felt within 5 minutes.

“SGB has a success rate as high as 80%.” The success rate could be lower if the SGB is not performed by an expert. He also says that symptoms are never fully recovered. If you’ve been dealing with COVID or have other health issues, your success rate may be lower. “But, it’s rare that SGB does not provide any symptomatic relief.”

TENS Vagus Nerve Stimulation The vagus nervous is important for several body functions, including breathing and digestion. It can thicken with COVID. The TENS unit is a small device that sends electrical impulses directly to the nerves. It is normally used to relieve pain from sore muscles. This device is being repurposed for vagus stimulation in the ear. The low cost and ease of use of TENS treatments are the main benefits. Groysman warns that while it will work for most people, you need to follow a specific protocol in order to stimulate the vagus. It’s not quite as fast and effective as SGB but you can usually do it for under $50.

Relax if you have COVID for a long time

Stress does not cause COVID, but it can worsen symptoms as it activates the sympathetic nervous systems (again that fight or flight response). Groysman says that people have reported their symptoms going away while on vacation, but returning once they return to their normal stressful lives. While yoga, massages and deep breathing exercises are not cures for anxiety, they can help.

He encourages his patients to speak with a mental health therapist who is licensed to teach them new coping methods, particularly if they are not able to handle stress very well. It’s a vicious circle. “Good stress management is essential to a successful COVID long-term treatment.”

Where to get help and support

It is wise to be prepared, even if you do not have COVID symptoms. “COVID will not go away. It is still possible to develop it. “While each COVID variant will have a different profile of side effects, the long-term issues with COVID will continue”, says Groysman.

He moderates a Facebook group for long-haulers who want to share their success stories and to educate them about the treatment options available. He also wrote a free eBook with useful tools and information. Links to both can be found on his website, www.ReliefBeginsHere.com.

BIO

Dr. Robert Groysman specializes in Interventional Pain management, Sports Medicine and Anesthesiology. Southwest Pain Management in Irving, Texas offers cutting edge services for patients suffering from acute and chronic pain.

He is a member of the Texas Pain Society, ASIPP and the Spine Interventional Society.

The article Physician assures COVID sufferers that they can find relief appeared first on Alternative Medicine Magazine.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the five domains of integrative medical care?

Integrative medicine covers five areas: mind-body and nutrition; lifestyle; social determinants; lifestyle; and prevention. These five areas address all aspects of health care, including physical, mental, emotional, spiritual, and environmental well-being.

Integrative medicine seeks to address all aspects of health and wellness. It includes conventional medical treatments and complementary therapies such as acupuncture, yoga, meditation, massage therapy, herbal medicine, chiropractic care, nutritional counseling, and biofeedback.

Why is holistic healing better?

Holistic health care treats the whole person instead of just specific symptoms. This means looking at how someone feels, what they eat, where they live, how much stress they are under etc…

Holistic medicine addresses all aspects of the patient’s life, and treats them as a whole. This may sound simple but it is not easy to practice. Most doctors are focused on the physical side.

What is Alternative Medicine and How Does It Work?

It’s a method of healing that focuses more on prevention than treatment. It also encourages people to become informed consumers actively engaged in improving their health and well-being.

Alternative medicine refers to any system of diagnosis and treatment that does not employ allopathic (conventional) medical practices.

What are the 5 Alternative medical systems?

Ayurveda is a system of alternative medicine that includes acupuncture, Ayurveda homeopathy, energy-healing, and aromatherapy.

To stimulate the flow and energy of qi (energy), Acupuncture uses fine needles that are inserted into specific points in the body.

Ayurvedic medicines is an ancient system to balance the three senses of air, fire,, and water. It can be used to help with diet, exercise, herbs, massage, and meditation.

Homeopathic Medicine is derived from the Greek words homoios meaning similar and pathos meaning disease. Homeopaths believe every disease has natural causes. But not all symptoms. They prescribe small doses of substances to treat symptoms similar to those that are experienced when a person is ill.

Energy Healing is also known as Reiki, EFT, Rolfing, Therapeutic Touch, and many others. This therapy is based on the belief that each person is connected to a universal life force called Ki. If this Ki flows freely though us, it makes us feel well. Energy healers use touch, intention, and touch to restore harmony between our physical and emotional, as well as spiritual selves.

Aromatherapy uses essential oils derived from plants for therapeutic reasons. Aromatherapists believe that certain smells can alter mood and behavior. Lavender is the most popular essential oil used for aromatherapy.

What are some examples of alternative medicine?

Alternative medicine refers specifically to any treatment that is not used in mainstream medicine. These include traditional Chinese medicine as well homeopathy, chiropractic care, acupuncture, nutritional therapy and reiki.

Alternative medicine can also be defined as a practice that is not supported by scientific evidence, but which has been proven effective in clinical practice. You can use meditation, hypnosis and yoga to achieve this.

Is holistic medicine safe?

Holistic medicines are safe because they are not harmful drugs but natural remedies for people who have been using them for centuries.

They have been proven to be effective in treating many diseases, including asthma, arthritis, chronic pain, diabetes, high blood sugar, heart disease and obesity, as well as anxiety, stress.

Holistic medicines are also used by millions of people around the world who suffer from various kinds of diseases. They include homeopathy, acupuncture, chiropractic care, herbal treatments, massage therapy, yoga, meditation, biofeedback, hypnosis, nutrition, counseling, physical fitness, exercise, and other complementary therapies. These therapies are holistic and treat the person as a whole, not the symptoms.

Statistics

In the 17% in which they disagreed, a third reader agreed with one of the initial readers to set a rating. (en.wikipedia.org)
The use of alternative medicine in the US has increased, with a 50 percent increase in expenditures and a 25 percent increase in the use of alternative therapies between 1990 and 1997 in America. (en.wikipedia.org)
In 83% of the cases, the readers agreed. (en.wikipedia.org)
According to the World Health Organization, 80% of people use herbal medicine worldwide. (webmd.com)
The concept of regression toward the mean implies that an extreme result is more likely to be followed by a less extreme result. (en.wikipedia.org)

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How To

What are the main 4 categories of complementary and/or alternative medicine?

The main four categories of CAM include mind-body medicines, natural products and manipulative therapy. Mind-body medicine covers yoga, Tai Chi and Reiki, as well as chiropractic care, homeopathy (naturopathy), biofeedback, hypnosis and hypnosis. Natural products are herbs, vitamins, minerals and dietary supplements. Manipulative therapies include physical manipulation such as osteopathic and chiropractic care, acupuncture, therapeutic exercise, and bodywork. Techniques such as prayer or visualization can be used to bring about energy healing.

CAM stands for a broad range of health practices that go beyond the Western medical system. There are many differences in the scientific support for these practices, including whether they involve drugs and surgery, as well as which conditions they treat. Some CAM doctors also provide diagnostic testing (e.g. Blood tests) and can prescribe medication. Some do both.

Each category has many subcategories in addition to the four main categories. Mind-body medicine includes relaxation techniques, mindfulness training and guided imagery. It also includes self-hypnosis, meditation, qigong and Tai chi. Natural products include nutritional supplement, botanical medicines and homeopathic remedies. Manual, movement, manipulation, electrotherapies and soft tissue mobilization are some of the manipulative therapies. There are many spiritual healing options, such as faith healing and prayer within energy healing.

Many CAM treatments help symptoms without addressing the cause of the disease. Some chronic diseases may be treated with CAM. If used properly, CAM can be combined with conventional treatments.

There are many reasons that people use CAM.

To improve their overall well being.
To manage a particular condition.
To lessen pain and discomfort.
To prevent illness.
To promote wellness.
To address a person’s belief system.

Some people prefer CAM over conventional medicine because they feel it provides more control over the health of their bodies. They might believe there are fewer side-effects. Others choose CAM to avoid taking prescription medications. Still, others prefer not to take pharmaceuticals if possible. Others still seek out CAM, even though they’ve had bad experiences in conventional medicine.

Some people who use CAM say they want to be sure about what they are doing before trying something new. Many CAM users ask questions about the safety and effectiveness of CAM. Others rely upon word-of-mouth referrals from family and friends.

Although CAM is sometimes viewed negatively in society, many users have positive feelings about it. People who use CAM are generally happier and healthier than people who don’t. This is true regardless of age, gender, race, ethnicity, religion, income, education level, occupation, insurance status, or other factors.

A large majority of Americans practice some form or another of complementary and alternative medicines. 95% or more of adult Americans have used some type of CAM in their lives. According to the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH), approximately 40 million visits were made to CAM providers in 2010 alone.

According to the NCCIH estimate, 10% of the U.S. Population uses chiropractors.

The American Medical Association reiterated its support for integrative medical care in 2013. It acknowledged that integrative medicine should be integrated into the clinical practice of physicians to best meet the needs and expectations of patients.

The Institute of Medicine published a landmark document in 2007 called “Relaxing Contraints: Improving Access To Complementary and Alternative Healthcare.” This report stated that there is no evidence that any specific CAM intervention is capable of curing, preventing, or treating cancer.

CAM continues to gain popularity despite this finding. In 2008, CAM practitioners saw an 8 percent increase in number compared with 2007.

A recent study showed that nearly half of respondents had used CAM to supplement their primary care.

CAM therapies may include natural products and mind-body practices as well as manipulative techniques, energy healing, modalities, exercise, and dietary supplements.

Many CAM therapies are used primarily as pain relief. But, many offer additional benefits such relaxation, improved moods, better sleep, decreased stress and enhanced immunity.

Acupuncture, for example, can relieve chronic back pain, lower anxiety and depression, improve immune function and promote weight loss.

Many CAM therapies are rooted in Ayurvedic and traditional Chinese medicine. They have been around for thousands of years.

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), which originated in China 5,000 years back, has been practiced in China ever since.

TCM was only in the mid-1800s that Western science gained prominence. However, it is still an important part of modern health care.

TCM has become a popular treatment option for more than 70% of the population in the United States.

Yoga is another CAM therapy that is very popular. Yoga was developed in India circa 5000 B.C. Yoga is now an accepted global practice.

Yoga has become increasingly popular with the general public because it offers physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual benefits.

Yoga can ease stress, improve flexibility and increase strength.

Although limited scientific research has been done, yoga may have beneficial effects on sleep33.

Other CAM therapies like aromatherapy, homeopathy, meditation, and/or homeopathy are also becoming accepted in mainstream medicine.

The most widely used CAM today is herbal medicine.

Herbal medicines contain herbs, spices, flowers, seeds, fruits, mushrooms, bark, leaves, roots, and stems.

They are often considered safer options to pharmaceutical drugs, and they are widely used by customers.

The U.S. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health estimates that about 90 million Americans use some form of complementary/alternative medicine.

According to the American Cancer Society, 45% of adults diagnosed with cancer said they used alternative medicine during their illness.

The National Institutes of Health estimates that 60% of patients with cancer use CAM, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that about 50% of all cancer survivors report using CAM.

According to a recent survey, 51% reported that they used at least one type (CAM) of CAM.

However, only 8% of these individuals discussed this use with their physicians.

This gap in healthcare delivery is caused by a lack of communication between conventional doctors and CAM users.

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