What is Long Covid?
Scientists and researchers have now reached a step closer to understanding the mechanism of Long Covid. Ancient Chinese medicine practitioners have for centuries had the term “Latent Pathogen” which basically refers to left over reactions from an infectious disease. Depending on the original bug or virus, the symptoms can vary. Often in modern medicine it has been labelled as Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and now with a new virus they have come up with the term Long Covid. Fragments of the original corona virus have been found to stay dormant in the gut and may cause on going stomach cramps, bouts of diarrhea, headaches and fatigue. These symptoms are of course part of many other disease patterns and so from a modern western medical examination, may be difficult to ascertain a specific diagnosis. You can read about it in more detail here.
Avoid tonics like ginseng if you have Long Covid
Chinese medicine has the treatment concept to clear and disperse these sleeping bugs as opposed to supplementing the body with tonics. Chinese medicine has the view that tonics, such ginseng, will only strengthen the bug.
Two trips away to Auckland in June
I will be away from clinic a couple of times during June so be sure to have your bookings organised in advance. One weekend in June I will be away as I am organizing a 3 day seminar on Emotional and Mental wellbeing using the 8 extraordinary vessels. At the end of June, I will be on a panel attending a forum meeting with NZQA at the New Zealand College of Acupuncture to review their new post graduate degrees.
Study acupuncture in New Zealand
If you are thinking about or know anyone who may be interested in studying acupuncture please go here and have a look at the college website.
Winter and moxibustion to warm the kidneys
And lastly, by the time you read this newsletter, in theory we should be in the start of winter. Winter is the time when we should be nurturing our kidneys and warming them up with moxibustion. When you come into clinic, I have available these simple home use “Easi-Moxi” devices that can applied to tonic points on the legs and back. Have a look here if you are interested.
