Happy Lunar New Year of the Snake! We are ready to begin anew this year, and as it turns out, Change and Transformation are on the menu for 2025. In Chinese astrology, the five elements of Metal, Water, Wood, Fire, and Earth are fundamental to understanding each year’s dynamics. This year is a Yin Wood over Fire Snake year, which occurs every 60 years and has both harmonious and conflicting elements. Think about what was happening back in 1965: the Vietnam War, a civil rights march in Selma Alabama that became known as “Bloody Sunday”, The Space Race, anti-war protests and sit-in’s to name a few. We are entering a year of death and rebirth, a turning of the soil, a year to make responsible decisions, to evolve spiritually, and move away from old habits or beliefs that no longer serve us. Like the snake, this will be a good year to shed old parts of you that are holding you back and reinvent yourself.

While the positive emotions of Wood and Fire are kindness, compassion, and joy, the darker stagnant side of Wood and Fire points to anger, depression, anxiety. Those already prone to these emotions may find it helpful to engage in more activities that bring you joy and that nourish your soul (Hun) and spirit (Shen). Nurture connections within your community and don’t forget to ask for help before things get overwhelming. Women in particular are often inclined to push through alone during challenging times and they will also be the ones most affected by the year’s hot dry energy. With the element of Water absent this year, there will be more issues with dryness or Yin deficiency in the environment and in our bodies. We don’t need Chinese astrology to tell us things will be warmer and drier so we need to be thinking ahead and prepared for fires and droughts.

Practical recommendations for 2025 are to cultivate flexibility, adaptability, and the ability to compromise. 2024 was a Yang Wood Dragon year associated with strong and unbending trees. This year, a Yin Wood year, is more associated with vines, plants, or grasses like bamboo. Remember that snakes and Yin Wood are both malleable yet strong, so being willing to bend means we become much better at weathering change. This is a crucial life skill to develop, given just how much change we experience over the course of our lives. As Heraclitus put it, “The only constant in life is change.”

Sources:

https://raymondlofengshuischool.com/1734582255584

https://www.chinesemedicinematters.com/2011916/episodes/16480296-2025-year-of-the-yin-wood-snake-predictions

Dear DCA Friends,

As we enter a new phase in the history of Denver Community Acupuncture, we are profoundly thankful for your steadfast support over the last 14 years. We are moving from our long-established location in LoHi to a new spot in Wheat Ridge, conveniently situated close to I70 and the Wheat Ridge Recreation Center. While saying goodbye to the vibrant energy of Denver is bittersweet, we look forward to enjoying the picturesque views of the Front Range and the peaceful surroundings of the Clear Creek Greenbelt. We will start welcoming patients at the Clear Creek Office Park on Tuesday, September 17th. Your unwavering support through the years has been our inspiration and strength, and we warmly invite you to visit us and help turn our new space into a welcoming home.

Sincerely, Adrienne, Kate, and the Staff and Practitioners at DCA

4251 Kipling Street, Suite 310 in Wheat Ridge

Take Kipling to 43rd Ave. Then left into the parking lot.

Click Here to view in Google Maps

Here we are in the depths of winter, represented by the water element in Chinese medicine. Water is a fascinating and mysterious element as it is soft and weak, flowing freely and extending everywhere giving life and asking for nothing in return. As it flows it attacks strong, hard surfaces and can carve magnificent gorges and canyons. We have much to learn from observing water in nature in its range of expressions, from gentle streams to raging rivers, from crashing waterfalls to tranquil lakes, from the powerful ocean to a gentle pond. Water flows down gracefully, free of striving and attachment. Without effort, it follows nature’s course and willfully fills any container down to the tiniest point.

This time of year the vegetation is dormant, nature is quiet, and everything descends into a peaceful darkness of the season. The rain and snow bring freshness and purification through non doing and everything is renewed. This restful time allows the reservoirs to fill up to nourish the seeds of what’s to come. There is vast undifferentiated potential in this time of stillness, where it is still unknown what the seeds will sprout and grow into. We are called inward to allow the cleansing and purifying nature of water to restore our vitality and prepare us for transformation in the coming Spring.

The organs associated with the water element are the kidney and bladder. These organ systems are considered the root of everything in our lives, life cycles, development, growth, and, maturation. The water element stores our will, which includes our willpower, goals, and endurance to fulfill our destiny. In Chinese medical theory, we are born with a curriculum and our will holds a deep knowingness to keep us flowing with our purpose. When the water element is out of balance, fear arises. To overcome fear, we must be like water and flow with the wisdom contained in our will, knowing that everything that has happened, is happening, and will happen is happening for a reason and serves the purpose of fulfilling our destiny. Fear can be a paralyzing condition, and is often the root of many other emotions. By acknowledging the fear and sitting in stillness with it with the knowing that it is here to accelerate our growth and potential, important breakthroughs can occur. Acupuncture is a powerful tool to help you access your profound wisdom and allow your inner water to break down your fears and carve out your greatest potential.

Reclaiming Joy, Releasing Anxiety

As we approach the end of summer, let’s embrace the powerful energy of the fire element and the heart, considered the Emperor in Chinese Medicine. We can thank this source of calm and order in the center of our bodies for the joy, excitement, and connection we experience. The heart controls fire within the body, motivating growth and encouraging expansion in all aspects of our lives. This can foster deeper relationships, innovative ideas, and the fulfillment of our dreams.

If fire is out of balance within the heart, it can wreak havoc on the body and mind. In the body, we may see inflammation, skin eruptions, excessive sweating, palpations, racing heartbeat, and even heart attacks. Heart fire can also flare and disturb the mind leading to racing thoughts, anxiety, and a wide variety of mental illnesses. Just like we are witnessing wildfires destroying livelihoods in our external environment, so too can excessive fire within the heart destroy relationships, careers, and all aspects of life.

The connections the heart so deeply desires can be sabotaged by the mind, spinning stories that are neither true nor helpful. We are all influenced by our environment, and living in this fast-paced culture with the onslaught of information coming at us from every direction can be dizzying and easily stir up mental agitation. Conflict is inherent within our collective consciousness, so we must develop the skills to navigate conflict and become empowered to transcend it.

It requires practice to escape the busy, tormented mind, and a powerful practice to free yourself from the anxieties of the mind is to return to the wisdom inside of the home of your heart, the seat of love. It’s always possible for us to go back there. The mind is a terrible Emperor, we must not let it be in charge. The mind is, however, a wonderful servant when led by the beauty of the heart.

If you are feeling wrapped up in anxiety, acknowledge it, and avoid being critical of yourself for having human feelings. Then take a quiet moment to breathe deep into the energy of your heart. Allow yourself to be bathed in the joy and bliss that is always present there. Mediating on things that bring you joy or things that you are grateful for enhances the heart energy. The more you practice, the easier it becomes to live in this space of compassion and understanding.

There are other techniques besides meditation and breathing exercises to calm the mind and find our center in our hearts, and it is a personal path to discover what works best for you. As we grow and evolve our needs to maintain balance and a calm nervous system may change. Certainly exercise and eating fresh, healthy food will nourish the heart and body, and encourage a relaxed mind. If you’re still struggling with anxious patterns, acupuncture is a powerful way to promote a deep sense of calm in the heart and mind. It often feels like a fast track to a deep meditative state that brings harmony to all of the organ systems and puts the heart back on its throne as the emperor of compassion.

Welcome, Jasper Moon and Jennifer Leonard!

We are thrilled to welcome the newest member of the DCA community. Congratulations Jennie and Toni on the birth of Jasper Moon! We will all miss Jennie and her amazing healing skills while she is out on maternity leave. However, we are excited to welcome to the clinic, Jennifer Leonard. Jennifer has been practicing Chinese Medicine since 2007 and is an incredible practitioner with a powerful focus on empowering you to be your best self. She encourages you to take your wellness into your own hands. Having completed extensive studies in integrative medicine she will help you expand your toolbox to achieve optimal health. Come see her at the clinic on Saturdays, Sundays, and Mondays to experience her talented healing skills.

Apothecary Spotlight: $19 B12 Injections with Acupuncture Treatments

Looking for an extra energy boost & more mental clarity following your acupuncture treatment? Add on a B12 shot for only $19! B12 is a prerequisite for the formation of red blood cells, It is vital in digestion and absorption as a component in transforming the food we eat into energy, and it is necessary for building and metabolizing neurotransmitters allowing for a healthy functioning brain. Give it a try the next time you’re in for a treatment and see how you feel.

At Denver Community Acupuncture starting July 14 through August 16, 2022

We are pleased to bring San Fu Therapy back to DCA for our eighth summer in a row. We’ve had many return patients year after year who have seen surprising results from the application of San Fu therapy. This simple yet effective technique has enabled patients who always get sick all winter to enjoy their first winter in years without getting sick or only experiencing mild illness.

The practice of San Fu Therapy is very popular in China, especially for those who wrestle with chronic respiratory complaints and lowered immunity. This may include condition such as asthma, allergies, frequent colds, bronchitis, and emphysema that worsen in cold weather. Also known as the “dog days of summer,” this technique utilizes the energy of the hottest and most yang time of year to strengthen the yang of the body in preparation for the winter cold. During the San Fu appointment, a medicinal paste of several “hot” herbs is applied and taped to specific acupuncture points on the back that relate to respiratory and immune health. The paste is generally left on the skin until it feels overly hot and itchy which could be between 2-6 hours. The hot herbs cause irritation to the points, and may even blister which, while not esthetically pleasing, can lead to a stronger response. The herbal paste is applied during three consecutive treatments to different points at each visit. Some may see benefit within one visit, but the real improvement happens when you are able to receive the full sequence of three treatments, three years in a row.

Typically, San Fu treatment dates are based on the Taoist calendar and administered on three to four specific dates in the summer that change yearly based on the Chinese almanac. This year, those dates are: July 15, 26, and August 5 and 15, 2022. Summertime is busy and we know it can be difficult to schedule on those specific dates. We recommend scheduling now for the series of three consecutive treatments anytime we offer acupuncture between July 14th and August 16th and while supplies last.

For more information on what to expect, check out this great website https://www.lovieacupuncture.com/san-fu-followup.

How to prepare for San Fu

Ancient Chinese people practiced a healthy diet to help beat the heat during the “dog days of summer”.

• It is best to avoid icy drinks and ice cream, as the heat we feel in summer is actually on the surface and not necessarily in the internal organs.
• Choose more vegetables and eat less meat, and less oily foods.
• The best “cooling” foods and drinks to try include: Watermelon, Mung beans, Cucumber, Lettuce, Water chestnuts, Chrysanthemum tea, Dandelion root tea, Elderflower tea / water.

Every year we provide a brief look at the traditional Chinese astrological predictions for the coming year. On February 12, 2021 we will move out of the Year of the Metal Rat, and into the Year of the Metal Ox.

For those of you who may be unfamiliar: Western astrology foretells the present and future via the reading of the stars, whereas Chinese astrology focuses on patterns of “Chi” (or Energy), based on the belief in a cyclic sixty-year life force that permeates all animate and inanimate objects. The ancient Chinese calendar, also known as the Farmers’ or “Hsia” Calendar, is a fascinatingly complex and eerily accurate system which not only records the passage of time through historical cycles, but can be used as a tool for fortune-telling. The Chinese horoscope rests on a sixty year cycle, broken up into twelve year cycles of predominant energies that are based on animal characteristics and the five natural elements of Earth, Metal, Water, Wood, and Fire. When a person is born, they take on the particular characteristics present in the Chi of that year, month, week, day, and even hour of their birth.

Based on lunar rather than solar cycles, the Chinese calendar can be used to determine what the general “weather” will be like during a given year, and how each of the animal/element signs will fare in that weather. You can use this “weather forecast” to help guide your choices and avoid pitfalls in the coming year!

So what will this 2021 year of the Metal Ox bring on global scale?

The year 2021 is symbolized by two Chinese characters: the element Metal on top and the animal Ox on the bottom. The Ox is also an Earth Element. In the Five Elements cycle, Earth births Metal. Because the element of Earth is said to support the element of Metal (think of soil holding important trace metals that fuel the growth of the plants that nourish animals and humans, such as chromium, selenium, zinc and copper), you can say that this combination represents a more harmonious relationship. Therefore, at first glance you might expect 2021 to be a more peaceful year.

However, the Ox sign is also said to contain the elements of Metal and Water. Since the middle of 2016, the Chinese calendar entered a long cycle of what we term the “Yin” elements of Metal, Earth and Water, without the “Yang” elements of Wood and Fire. The Yin element in Chinese ancient philosophy reflects that in life which is cold, dark, contracting, and yielding. The Yang element reflects that in life which is warming, light, and expansive. The next Wood year will arrive in 2022; the next Fire year in 2025. With Fire essentially once again devoid this year, we can expect a general lack of happiness, optimism, exuberance and confidence.

Because of this strong predominance of Earth, Metal, and Water, you can think of Ox as the weakest Earth element, belonging to the winter season (with its cold, hard surface, and lack of plant nourishment and growth). Here, the Earth element this year is very weak and out of balance, which could even trigger earth-related disasters such as earthquakes, landslides, avalanches and volcanic eruptions.

This year includes a high predominance of Metal, which correlates with the emotion of sadness and grief, and Water, which correlates with the emotion of fear. Metal has two sides: it can be made into beautiful and graceful jewelry, but the opposite is also true. It can be cold and brutal, like a sword or dagger. People who have a predominance of Metal can be deceiving: they can appear sophisticated, gentle and calm on the outside, but can possess a very strong and rather harsh character on the inside. They can exhibit unrelenting and sometimes drastic behaviors with a tendency to extreme actions to achieve goals.

In general, the Metal Ox Year (with Yin Metal on the top and weak or “winter” Earth on the bottom), is a symbol of an unforgiving and cold atmosphere that incites disharmony and conflict. As the world economy continues to decline, the atmosphere of distrust could likely lead to more social unrest, political struggles, international tensions, terrorism, assassinations, subversions, and coups. Thus, the overall outlook for 2021 is quite cold, bleak, scary and even potentially dangerous.

As a historical example we should all be able to recall, remember the last recession of 2008? This year was also a Rat year like 2020, with strong elements of Metal and Water. The collapse of the mortgage business that year generated fear and catapulted the financial tsunami that lasted from 2008 until 2013 when the Fire Year returned. Similarly in 2020, another powerful Metal and Water year, we saw the rise of the COVID-19 pandemic, generating insurmountable fear, forcing the world to come to a standstill, and shutting down most of the international trade and travel, resulting in grave worldwide economic impact.

Going into 2021, we can expect the strong influence of Water and Metal to continue to cast a dark shadow of fear and depression all over the world. The atmosphere will feel dull, cold, and gray. The continuous decline in economic growth will force investors to be more conservative and the public to spend less.

Personality Qualities of the Ox

If you were born in the year of the Ox (1961, 1973, 1985, 1997, 2009, 2021), you generally possess an honest, and dependable nature. Ox are known for their diligence, strength and determination, their hard work and realism. Those born in the year of the Ox tend to be attracted to more conservative values, such as material security and family traditions. Just about the opposite of the vain and attention-seeking Rat, they tend to be more content in the background, intelligent and reliable, but never seeking or demanding praise.

On the downside, the Ox personality can be quite stubborn (almost arrogant) and overconfident, not allowing others to go against their rules. This can present some challenges as a parent or when in a leadership role.

We can expect some of these qualities to also permeate the world on a larger scale this year.

Note: To find out more about your personal animal sign, this is a decent resource.

Health in the Year of the Metal Ox

In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), the Metal Element represents the breathing or respiratory organs, including the lung, nose, and skin. As Metal needs Fire to melt it into useful tools, when the Fire Element is missing, the Metal Element becomes imbalanced and unhealthy. Therefore, in 2020 we saw the COVID-19 pandemic, with its weakness affecting the lungs. In 2021, we will continue to see this health trend, including more prevalent cases of the flu and viral infections affecting people’s breathing organs (lungs, nose, skin). (By the way, this author admits she got this wrong in last year’s predictions, assuming the strong Metal would support the Lung. This didn’t take into account the complete lack of Fire.)

The Earth element represents the digestive organs, specifically the stomach and small intestine. The Yang energy of Fire is very important to the digestive organs, so without this element we will see continued digestive problems. The Water element represents the bladder, kidney, endocrine and reproductive organs. The continued Water imbalance this year could stress these systems.

Once again, the biggest underlying culprit here is the strong weakness of Fire and Wood (and the Yang principle in general) which then causes imbalances in the Water, Metal and Earth elements. When in balance, these organs will not be negatively impacted. In addition, the strong weakness of Fire means Fire organs are also impacted. They include the heart, blood circulation, and overall vitality of the body.

To bring more balance, one can consider taking certain health supplements and dietary approaches that “fire up” and strengthen the respiratory, digestive, cardiovascular and endocrine systems. This might include adding more warming ginger and gentle kitchen spices to food, eating warmer foods (such as soups and stews), and supplementing with digestive enzymes if necessary. It might mean eating more foods that support the lung, such as white radishes and pear, and avoiding foods that “gum things up” such as dairy, sugar, and alcohol.

Consider extra Tibetan foot soak baths at home to fire up blood circulation once a week, taking Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) or periodically using gentle formulas that contain circulation- and heart-enhancing herbs like hawthorn and Dan Shen (Salvia miltiorrhiza). You might want to support your thyroid and adrenal functions more mindfully, by adding in some extra iodine, zinc, and selenium for the thyroid, and taking some adaptogenic herbs regularly like Siberian Ginseng, Rhodiola, or Ashwaganda.

With the Wood element also not strong this year, we need to take care with our Liver health, avoiding foods that stress the liver such as sugar and alcohol, or the excessive taking of medications that compromise liver health, such as NSAIDS. A spring and fall basic liver detox is also a great idea. As Liver is said to support the Lung, this becomes even more important this year.

Getting out into the sun and exercising is also vital during these years.

Warning for those born in the year of the Goat especially, but also Horse, Dog, and Tiger. Favorable year for the Rat, Rooster, and Snake.

If you were born in the Year of the Goat (1919, 1931, 1943, 1955, 1967, 1979, 1991, 2003, 2015), you are in direct clash with the year. Clashes will bring turbulence, movements, accidents, or big changes. On the plus side, you can anticipate more traveling opportunities, and it is a good year to change jobs or move offices or houses. You must carry the Rat pendant for protection (see more on Feng Shui Solutions below).

The animal years that combine well with the Ox are the Rat, Rooster, and Snake. These animals are in a year of harmony. However, don’t rely on this kind of simplistic astrology; for a more reliable assessment of one’s fortune, it is best to consult an astrologer trained in looking at all aspects of the year, month, week, and day of your birth.

Finally, on an interesting note: if you are born on the day or year of Yang Wood, Yang Earth, or Yang Metal, or if you were born in years ending in 4, 8, and 0, such as 1954, 1968, or 1980, you are said to be born under the “Nobleman star” this year. The Nobleman star is said to bring a solution to obstacles and dangers, making the year feel more comfortable and smooth. If 2021 is your Nobleman year, go ahead and take the chance to develop new projects and stick your neck out a bit more!

To find out more about your personal animal sign, this is a decent resource.

Feng Shui Solutions

If the Chinese horoscope this year is correct, it certainly sounds like it might be a challenging year for many, both individually and on a planetary scale. You might consider adding in some of the following traditional Chinese feng shui corrections below. While perhaps feeling a bit silly about some of the unusual recommendations, what can it hurt?

• Bring Fire and Wood energy into your life by adopting some simple Feng Shui solutions that magnify these energies in your home or office. Here are some suggestions:

Nurture the Fire Element here

Nurture the Wood Element here

• People born in the year of the Goat (or Sheep), Horse, Dog or Tiger this year are recommended to wear a jade rat pendant. You can actually purchase these on Amazon!

• Bad energy symbolizing obstacles and misfortune will reside in the Southeast sector this year. It’s best to hang a six-metal rod wind chime in the southeast corner of your residence or office to dissolve this energy. The worst months will be in April, October, and January 2021. Once again, Amazon delivers!

• Sickness and worry are thought to reside most strongly in the North this year. The traditional method is to hang a string of six metal coins here. Again, Amazon rocks:

• Try to not sit with your back facing East this year, as it will bring bad luck!

• Avoid conflict and robbery by placing a piece of red paper in the Southwest of your residence and/or office.

• Place three bamboo stems in a clear glass vase in the Center and Northwest positions to avoid legal problems and scandals.

Finally, I want to express my gratitude to Raymond Lo, from whom I borrowed much of the information for this article. Raymond is a renowned Hong Kong geomancer and Chinese horoscope consultant, and one of only five people to earn the title of “Grand Master” from the International Feng Shui Association. For more information, click here.

If you are looking for affordable acupuncture, our practitioners at Denver Community Acupuncture can help. We keep our Denver acupuncture services inexpensive by offering Community Acupuncture. To offer acupuncture that is affordable for everyone, we offer acupuncture prices on a sliding scale ranging from $35-$65 per treatment, you choose what you feel comfortable paying.

What is Community Acupuncture? You may be surprised to learn that Acupuncture has historically been practiced as community-based medicine. In Asia, acupuncture is traditionally practiced in a group setting.

You can remain full clothed during your acupuncture treatment, as our community-style acupuncture focuses on the “distal” points below the knees and elbows.

Most of our patients receive their acupuncture treatments in comfortable recliners, though we also provide two screened-in massage table options, so that we can treat directly in the back or abdominal area as well.

Community Acupuncture helps keep our acupuncture services affordable as many people can receive treatment at the same time.

Covid-19 Prepared: During this time of COVID, we require masks, we are also sure to screen patients and we practice social distancing. We also offer appointments for our affordable acupuncture services during the first hour of all morning shifts exclusively for vulnerable persons. Our affordable acupuncture clinic space is disinfected regularly, using EPA-approved disinfectants and disinfecting guidelines that kill the human coronavirus.

Community Acupuncture can be more powerful! Patients find our community acupuncture very comforting and we feel that the collective energy of many treatments happening at one time actually makes each individual treatment more powerful.

Our affordable acupuncture clinic is located in the Highlands neighborhood of Denver near I-25 and Speer Boulevard.

Affordable Denver Holistic Medicine

Denver Community Acupuncture is a woman-owned holistic health care clinic. We offer affordable holistic healing services including: affordable acupuncture, chinese herbal medicine, natural fertility treatments, naturopathy, cupping therapy, massage, natural skin care, Tibetan foot soaks, compassionate counseling.

So if you are avoiding acupuncture due to the cost, please contact us today at 720.855.3160 to discuss setting up an appointment and we can make sure it is affordable for you.

By this time, most of us have personal accounts of friends, family or acquaintances who have been diagnosed with COVID-19 (or SARS-CoV-2). The majority of these accounts include very mild to moderate symptoms. However, many of the stories of those recovering are reporting weeks to months of frustrating symptoms that persist. The most typical lingering symptoms include: exhaustion, fevers that come and go, brain fog and difficulty concentrating, depression and/or anxiety, non-restorative sleep, loss of taste and smell, headaches, muscle and joint pain, shortness of breath especially on exertion, gastrointestinal symptoms, and heart palpitations.

The World Health Organization reports the median time for recovery from COVID-19 infection is up to two weeks for those with mild cases, and up to 6 weeks for severe cases. Yet it also appears to be true that of the over two million so far listed as “recovered” in the United States, tens of thousands continue to experience long-term illness or “malaise” lingering on for months. Some doctors are reporting that more than ninety percent of their patients who come in after COVID-19 infections are experiencing prolonged symptoms.

These lingering symptoms are so prevalent, that they have now been given their own name: post-Covid syndrome, also known as post-viral syndrome, or post-viral fatigue syndrome. Lest you think this is a hallmark of this particular virus, persistent sequela (symptoms developing post infection) have been regularly documented for decades among people who have had acute infections of other types, including SARS, West Nile virus, mononucleosis (or Epstein-barr virus), and the H1N1 influenza virus.

In fact, many symptoms of post-Covid syndrome are very similar to symptoms reported by people diagnosed with myalgic encephalomyelitis illness (ME), better known as Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS)–the hallmark symptom of which is unexplained, persistent, non-relapsing fatigue.

The CDC estimates that up to 2.5 million Americans have ME/CFS, although many remain undiagnosed. A significant minority are homebound, even bedbound. As with post-Covid syndrome, most people report that their illness began with an acute episode of infectious disease, often mononucleosis or the flu. Although studies have documented a range of neurologic, immunologic, metabolic, and other dysfunctions, no specific causes have been identified for ME/CFS and no pharmacological treatments have been developed for it. The cardinal symptoms are a prolonged relapse of exhaustion, cognitive dysfunction, and other symptoms after a minimal amount of activity. This is generally called “post-exertional malaise.”

While for decades ME/CFS was thought to be a psychological and/or behavioral issue (and thus treated as such), in recent years these methods have largely been recognized as ineffective, and abandoned. Researchers have switched to an examination of genetic factors that could be involved. However, treatments remain strikingly limited.

With the emergence of high numbers of people with post-Covid syndrome, a new light is being shone on the role of infectious disease in the development of long-term “ME” or “CFS”-like conditions. Along with genetic factors, other theories are being proposed.

In the course of COVID-19 infection, some people launch what is called a “cytokine storm” against the virus, an immune-mediated strong inflammatory response–which is the actual cause of fatality and severe cases that lead to hospitalization. One theory is that post-COVID syndrome may be related to these pro-inflammatory cytokines that cross the blood brain barrier during infection, and affect the brain. Once in the brain, they enter the hypothalamus–an area that helps regulate temperature, and controls hormone release, heart rate, blood pressure and appetite among other functions. This can lead to autonomic dysfunction, including high fevers, abnormalities of the sleep/wake cycle, cognitive abnormalities, heart abnormalities, and severe fatigue. (These are all symptoms which are also characteristic of ME/CFS.)

Another brain-related theory suggests a disturbance in the lymphatic system that drains a specific part of the brain known as the cribriform plate. (Interestingly, the cribriform plate connects to olfactory nerves, which could explain the curious symptoms of loss of smell and taste.) The lymphatic defect involves special cells known as microglia that surround neurons or brain cells. Microglia are the resident immune cells of the central nervous system or CNS that mediate inflammatory response. During an active viral infection they are able to destroy infected cells through phagocytosis (engulfing and destroying the cell). However, they also release a number of cytotoxic substances that can directly damage healthy cells and lead to neuronal cell death. If lymphatic drainage is disrupted, chronic activation of microglia can result, leading to low grade inflammation and cell death in the brain.

A third explanation for post-COVID syndrome, also seen in patients with ME/CFS, suggests a possible defect in mitochondrial functioning, an important part of cells involved in energy production and regulation. While the pathogenic mechanism of the COVID-10 virus remains yet unclear, there have been a number of studies indicating that it appears to attack the heme component of hemoglobin–the protein in red blood cells responsible for carrying and distributing oxygen throughout the body. This would make sense in light of reports from doctors describing symptoms that appear to mimic altitude sickness more than pneumonia. As mitochondria rely on a steady supply of oxygen for aerobic respiration in the production of energy, it makes sense that an impairment in this function would dramatically affect energy levels as well as muscular function.

6 Ways to Treat Post-COVID Syndrome

While Western/conventional medicine doesn’t appear to have anything to offer beyond palliative care at this time for the treatment of post-Covid syndrome, what about holistic medicine, including acupuncture and Chinese herbs? Can we offer some hope for supporting those afflicted with post-Covid syndrome (or other post-viral syndrome) towards a much faster and more complete resolution of symptoms? Absolutely! Let’s review the symptoms that people are reporting again:

• persistent exhaustion
• fevers that come and go
• brain fog and difficulty concentrating
• depression and/or anxiety, non-restorative sleep
• loss of taste and smell
• headaches
• muscle and joint pain
• shortness of breath or breathlessness especially on exertion
• gastrointestinal symptoms
• heart palpitations or irregularities

Chinese Herbal Therapy. As I mentioned in an earlier series of articles on the treatment of COVID-19 with Chinese herbs, Chinese herbs can be a powerful ally in the treatment of any type of viral infection. In fact, Chinese herbal medicine has been utilized in most patients in China with COVID-19. By late February 2020, more than 85 percent of patients in China who were diagnosed with COVID-19, or approximately 60,000 people, received Chinese herbal medicine along with Western medicine treatments. Chinese medicine has been used extensively both in local communities to prevent the need for more intensive medical care, and in hospitals combined with Western medical treatments.

The Chinese materia medica includes a wide range of antiviral, antibacterial, and antimicrobial herbs, which are typically combined into formulas that are tailored to a patient’s individual constitutional and unique presentation of symptoms.

These herbs can also be used effectively in the treatment of post-viral syndromes–although it should be made known to patients that once the virus has become “chronic” or deeply embedded, it takes more time and patience for symptoms to resolve. Increasingly, doctors of natural medicine or physicians trained in functional medicine, are successfully integrating antiviral and antibacterial herbs or botanicals in their treatments of patients with chronic viral or other microbial infections such Epstein-Barr, Lyme disease, and ME/CFS disorders.

Here at DCA, we have seen a number of patients with either diagnosed or suspected post-COVID syndrome. In one example, a patient I will call “Laura” became very ill with a respiratory infection that she contracted in late March. The symptoms nearly resolved after 3-4 weeks, only to keep resurfacing. Laura was given two rounds of antibiotics, and the symptoms would abate, and then come back. Frustrated, Laura finally contacted us at the beginning of May for an herb consult. What followed was about three months of herbal treatment. Her symptoms were much improved on the herbs–but like antibiotics, if she stopped taking the herbs for a few weeks, her symptoms would re-emerge. So we just kept going, and finally, Laura seems to be much improved.

Interesting to note were dietary triggers; Laura’s symptoms would resurface typically after any alcohol or sugar/dairy consumption. It is also important to state that Laura was not positively diagnosed with COVID; she took the nasopharyngeal swab “active COVID” test many weeks after the initial infection which would have been too late, and never took the antibody test. Nevertheless, her doctor suspected COVID. Previous to this illness, Laura had been healthy and had not experienced this type of relapse with viral illness before.

Acupuncture. One of the first therapies I would suggest for those suffering from post-viral syndrome or ME/CFS symptoms, is regular, weekly or biweekly acupuncture. There have been multiple studies in China and South Korea examining the effects of acupuncture on CFS that show considerable improvement and even resolution of symptoms, including unremitting and post-exertional fatigue, poor concentration or memory, sore throat, swollen or tender lymph glands, muscle pain, multi-joint pain, headaches and unrefreshing sleep.

Studies have shown effectiveness rates as high as 93 percent for bringing symptoms under control, and as high as 43 percent for complete recovery, in groups receiving acupuncture twice a week over a month-long period. Interestingly, adding electroacupuncture appears to strengthen treatments considerably. I have provided links to some of the major studies below.

Oxygen-enhancing therapies and supplements. One of the hallmarks of the COVID-19 virus is shortness of breath and compromise in lung function. It makes sense that therapies to support the delivery of oxygen to cells throughout the body, and to support recovery of mitochondrial function, would be helpful. Following are some suggestions:

1) Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT). Hyperbaric oxygen therapy involves placing a patient in a pressurized chamber that allows a patient to breathe in one hundred percent oxygen, directly saturating their tissues with oxygen (and bypassing red blood cell- or heme-delivered oxygen). The therapy is recognized as highly safe, and there have been several studies (listed below) in China and the United States using HBOT on seriously ill Covid-19 patients, which successfully prevented the need for placing them on ventilators.

HBOT has been used for helping to resolve severe altitude sickness, decompression sickness

(a hazard of scuba diving), serious infections, and in facilitating wound healing. The therapy

is very expensive, and is most likely to be used only by those who are suffering from more

serious symptoms.

2) Steroid inhalers, such as Budesonide. I recently learned of a doctor in Texas, Dr Richard

Bartlett, who has been providing his COVID-19 diagnosed patients with shortness of breath

symptoms with Budesonide, an inhaled steroid for asthmatics that has been around for

years. He has treated hundreds of seriously ill COVID-19 patients, including those with

advanced cancer and of advanced age, and has not lost a single person, nor have any of his patients required hospitalization! Symptoms of shortness of breath and difficulty breathing usually subside within a few minutes of inhaler use. The therapy has been widely used in other countries as well, including Taiwan, which has lost seven people so far, and Japan, with fewer than one thousand fatalities. You can learn more about Dr Barlett and his discovery here:

3) Supplements such as Chlorophyll, Rhodiola, Eleuthero or Siberian Ginseng, Osha Root, and Cordyceps. Chlorophyll is any of several green photosynthetic pigments found in algae, plants, and cyanobacteria. Chlorophyll is chemically very similar to hemoglobin, the protein in red blood cells that transports oxygen throughout the body. The biological relationship between heme and chlorophyll has been studied for over 60 years, and the relationship is still not clear; however, it appears that small amounts of chlorophyll may stimulate the synthesis of either heme or globin or both, in both animals and humans. If we recall that there are studies showing that COVID-19 attacks and destroys/displaces heme in hemoglobin, thereby causing systemic oxygen deprivation similar to altitude sickness, then it makes sense that taking a supplement like chlorophyll to help restore hemoglobin function would be helpful.

Useful herbs for oxygen restoration and improved energy and stamina, include Rhodiola and Siberian Ginseng, the latter used in Russia for decades by athletes to improve performance. Both are often prescribed for altitude sickness. Osha root, an herb treasured by the Native Americans and used in many sacred ceremonies, grows only at high altitudes, and is often used also for altitude sickness. Finally, Cordyceps is a fungal medicinal used extensively in Chinese herbal medicine, that supports both lung and kidney/adrenal support and regeneration. I often recommend that people who are worried about getting COVID-19 take one or some combination of these supplements daily; all are safe and usually well tolerated for long-term intake.

Lymph Draining Therapies. In order to address lymph drainage, especially for recuperation from symptoms that may be caused by continued inflammation in the brain and CNS, the following two therapies could be utilized: CranialSacral therapy (CST), or Lymph Draining therapy (LDT)–often offered by massage therapists.

Anti-Inflammatory Diet. It may go without saying that adopting an anti-inflammatory diet while recovering from post-COVID syndrome, or any post-viral syndrome, would be critically important. If you recall, my patient with probable post-COVID syndrome, experienced relapses every time she consumed alcohol, sugar or dairy. There are many anti-inflammatory diets out there to choose from, such as the Whole 30 diet, AIP diet, or the Leptin Reset diet. All of them involve the removal of inflammatory foods, including grains, dairy, sugar, alcohol, and sometimes eggs, nuts, and other highly allergenic foods.

Nutrient Therapy (Vitamins and Minerals). It may also go without saying that supplementing with critical nutrients for recovery from viral illness or inflammatory symptoms, can only be helpful. Some of the most common supplements I have been recommending include:

• Vitamin C (IV, liposomal, or high dose ascorbate powders).
• Zinc, 15-30mg/day if deficient, and up to 60mg/day if sick. Ionic zinc is the most well absorbed. My favorite product is Zinc Drink by Metagenics, but there are other ionic zinc supplements out there. More on zinc below.
• Magnesium, 250-450mg/day. Ionic magnesium is the most well absorbed. My favorite brand is ReMag, which is wonderful for relieving muscular pain or cramping, calming anxiety, and restoring deep, restful sleep.
• Vitamin A/D/K2 (or just eat 200-400g of liver per week). Vitamin A is essential in the formation of lung alveoli, which constitute the gas exchange region of the lung. Here we are talking about retinyl palmitate, derived from animal products, and not beta carotene in plants. Up to 15,000IU of vitamin A when sick with a viral infection is recommended, and lower doses of 5000-10,000IU per day may be taken with persistent symptoms. Note: Vitamin A, D and K2 work synergistically as fat soluble vitamins, and are critically important for heart health as well. Cod liver oil can also be an excellent source.
• Quercetin (see explanation below), 500mg two times/day with symptoms, or 500mg/day one time/day prophylactically.

It is interesting to note that a number of doctors internationally have been using a basic protocol of: 400mg hydroxychloroquine, zinc, and Azithromycin to successfully treat and prevent progression of COVID-19. One doctor in New York City (begin 39 minutes in to this youtube video) used this protocol on over 2200 high risk patients diagnosed with COVID-19, and lost only two! This protocol is most ideal when begun between days 3-5 of viral infection, as the virus explodes around day 6 or 7, and is much more difficult to treat after that time. The amount of zinc they are using has not been specified, but my research says that up to 60 mg in two divided doses is optimal when sick.

Why would this protocol be so effective?

The presence of zinc dramatically increases cell-mediated immunity, and particularly that of natural killer and T cells which attack and kill viruses. (Studies show that high levels of targeted T cells are more indicative of immunity to COVID-19 than antibodies.) However, most forms of oral zinc are not very bioavailable, meaning it has difficulty entering into a cell on its own. Viruses, which are essentially RNA or DNA genomes enclosed in protein shells, cannot reproduce themselves, and only work by entering into host cells and taking over the RNA or DNA function. Therefore, they must be destroyed within the cell. It appears that the hydroxychloroquine allows the cell membrane to become more permeable, thereby allowing the zinc into the cell, so that the action of killer and T cells can more effectively destroy the virus.

Some preliminary studies are showing that the antioxidant Quercetin, often used as a natural antihistamine in reduction of allergy symptoms, can be used instead of hydroxychloroquine to increase cell permeability. While these studies are still unproven, if you are adverse to taking hydroxychloroquine, you could try taking quercetin together with zinc as a form of prevention, particularly if you had been exposed to COVID-19. I also do wonder what forms of oral zinc are being prescribed in the hydroxychloroquine and Azithromycin protocol; as mentioned above, ionic zinc is a far more easily absorbed form of zinc, and may be a more effective form to take coupled with either hydroxychloroquine or quercetin.

Note on Zinc: zinc, copper and iron form a triad that synergistically interact in complex ways in the body. An excess of zinc can suppress iron and copper levels; therefore, long term higher dose intake in people who are not suffering from infection should be monitored. 5-15mg per day of supplemental zinc should be safe for most individuals.

Sources:

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Post-COVID Syndrome

“Chronic Fatigue Syndrome May Hold Keys to Understanding Post-COVID Syndrome”

COVID-19, Similar to Altitude Sickness

“Doctors Suspect Mystery COVID-19 Lung Problems, Plea for New Approach”

CFS, Acupuncture studies

Kim et al. “Acupuncture for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Idiopathic Chronic Fatigue: a Multicenter, Nonblinded, Randomized Controlled Trial”

Huang et al. “Clinical Study on Electroacupuncture Plus Interferential Current Therapy for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome”

Chen et al. “Randomized Controlled Clinical Trials of Acupuncture and Moxibustion Treatment of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Patients”

COVID-19, Effect on Hemoglobin

Liu et al. “COVID-19: Attacks the Beta-1 Chain of Hemoglobin and Captures the Polyphyrin to Inhibit Heme Metabolism”

HBOT, COVID Treatment

“Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy in the Treatment of COVID-19 Severe Cases”

“Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy in Preventing Mechanical Ventilation in COVID-19 Patients: A Retropective Case Series”

Chorophyll and Hemoglobin Similarity

“Chlorophyll and Red Blood Cell Regeneration”

T cells, COVID-19 Immunity

“T Cells found in COVID-19 patients bode well for long term immunity”, Science