5 Ways Acupuncture and Chinese Herbal Medicine Support Long COVID Recovery
Dr. Andrew Houn is a Doctor of Acupuncture and Chinese Herbal Medicine, professor, and founder of the award-winning Beyond Acupuncture in Dana Point, California, providing acupuncture services to Laguna Niguel, Dana Point, and Laguna Beach. He specializes in pain management, longevity, fertility support, women's health, and stress management.
For many people, recovering from COVID-19 does not mean returning to their previous state of health. Months or even years after infection, some individuals continue experiencing fatigue, brain fog, headaches, insomnia, shortness of breath, and other symptoms that interfere with daily life.
This condition, known as Long COVID, can affect multiple systems of the body. Some individuals also report persistent health problems following COVID-19 vaccination, including fatigue, dizziness, skin rashes, and neurological complaints.
As a Doctor of Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine, I use Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) to address these lingering symptoms through individualized treatment.
Rather than applying the same approach to everyone, I evaluate each patient's symptoms and overall health to develop a personalized treatment strategy combining acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine.
Here are five ways I address common post-COVID symptoms in my clinical practice:
1. Reducing chronic fatigue and restoring energy
Persistent fatigue is one of the most debilitating symptoms of Long COVID. Some patients feel exhausted despite adequate sleep, while others struggle with ordinary daily activities.
In my practice, acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine are used to address fatigue, sleep disturbances, digestive problems, and prolonged weakness. Herbal formulas are individualized and adjusted as the patient's condition changes.
A 2024 systematic review titled "Traditional, Complementary and Integrative Medicine for Fatigue Post COVID-19 Infection: A Systematic Review of Randomized Controlled Trials," published in Integrative Medicine Research, examined 13 randomized trials involving 1,632 participants.
Researchers reported reductions in post-COVID fatigue with certain Chinese herbal interventions. For patients experiencing post-exertional malaise, where activity worsens symptoms, I also emphasize appropriate pacing rather than pushing through exhaustion.
2. Improving brain fog, headaches, and sleep
Brain fog can involve difficulty concentrating, forgetfulness, and reduced mental clarity. Many patients also experience headaches, insomnia, anxiety, or unrefreshing sleep.
Acupuncture allows me to address several interconnected symptoms during the same visit. For example, when a patient experiences brain fog alongside insomnia and headaches, I develop a treatment strategy addressing the overall presentation rather than treating each symptom separately.
A 2024 systematic review and meta-analysis titled "The Use of Acupuncture for Addressing Neurological and Neuropsychiatric Symptoms in Patients With Long COVID," published in Frontiers in Neurology, examined 110 randomized controlled trials involving 8,514 participants.
Researchers reported improvements in fatigue, cognitive function, headache severity, and sleep quality with acupuncture across the conditions studied. These findings highlight acupuncture's potential for addressing symptoms commonly experienced by Long COVID patients.
3. Supporting respiratory health and physical recovery
Some people continue experiencing shortness of breath, lingering cough, chest discomfort, or reduced stamina long after their COVID-19 infection.
I use acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine as complementary treatments to address respiratory complaints alongside accompanying fatigue, weakness, and sleep disturbances.
Treatment is individualized according to each patient's overall condition, with the goal of improving comfort, daily functioning, and quality of life. Persistent shortness of breath or chest discomfort should also receive appropriate medical evaluation.
4. Addressing persistent inflammation and internal heat
Research has identified persistent immune activation and inflammatory abnormalities in some individuals experiencing Long COVID.
Some patients also describe sensations of internal heat, night sweats, dry mouth, restlessness, or disturbed sleep.
Traditional Chinese Medicine has long recognized these symptom patterns. In my practice, I use acupuncture and individualized herbal formulas to address heat sensations, improve sleep, and support overall recovery.
A 2024 study titled "Persistent Complement Dysregulation With Signs of Thromboinflammation in Active Long COVID," published in Science, identified abnormalities involving immune activation and inflammatory pathways among patients with Long COVID.
These findings provide insight into biological processes associated with persistent symptoms. While the TCM concept of internal heat differs from medically measured inflammation, addressing these symptoms remains an important part of my treatment approach.
5. Addressing digestive problems, pain, and sensory disturbances
Long COVID can also involve digestive discomfort, poor appetite, muscle and joint pain, dizziness, and changes in smell or taste.
Acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine allow me to develop a treatment strategy addressing multiple complaints simultaneously.
For example, a patient experiencing digestive discomfort, headaches, and poor sleep may require a different treatment from someone whose primary concerns are dizziness, muscle pain, and fatigue.
A 2024 randomized clinical trial titled "Effects of Frequency-Controlled Ear Acupuncture on COVID-19-Related Refractory Olfactory Dysfunction," published in the Journal of Acupuncture and Meridian Studies, reported improvements in self-reported smell quality among patients receiving acupuncture.
This study illustrates another area of persistent post-COVID symptoms being investigated through acupuncture research.
What about lingering symptoms following COVID-19 vaccination?
Some individuals experience persistent or recurring health problems following COVID-19 vaccination, including fatigue, brain fog, dizziness, headaches, skin rashes, itching, lingering cough, sleep disturbances, muscle and joint pain, and heart palpitations.
A 2025 review titled "Post-COVID-19 Vaccination (or Long Vax) Syndrome: Putative Manifestation, Pathophysiology, and Therapeutic Options," published in Reviews in Medical Virology, examined reports of prolonged symptoms following vaccination and potential biological mechanisms.
Whether someone is experiencing lingering symptoms following COVID-19 infection or seeking care for persistent health problems after vaccination, my approach focuses on their individual symptoms and overall health.
Depending on the patient's presentation, acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine are used to address fatigue, dizziness, headaches, sleep disturbances, skin irritation, or other ongoing concerns.
A personalized approach to recovery
Long COVID affects people differently, and recovery is not always straightforward. At Beyond Acupuncture, serving Dana Point, Laguna Niguel, Laguna Beach, and surrounding Orange County communities, I combine acupuncture and individualized Chinese herbal medicine to address persistent symptoms and support recovery.
Acupuncture provides treatment during clinical visits, while herbal medicine offers continued treatment between appointments. Herbal formulas can be adjusted as symptoms improve or change.
By combining clinical experience, Traditional Chinese Medicine, and scientific research, my goal is to help patients manage their symptoms, improve their quality of life, and work toward meaningful recovery.
Visit Beyond Acupuncture to learn more about our personalized approach to Long COVID and other chronic health conditions.
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Read more from Andrew Houn
Andrew Houn, Acupuncture for Health and Longevity
Dr. Andrew Houn is a Doctor of Acupuncture and Chinese Herbal Medicine (DACCHM), professor, and founder of the award-winning Beyond Acupuncture in Dana Point, California. His clinic serves Laguna Niguel, Dana Point, and Laguna Beach with acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine. His specialties include pain management, longevity, fertility support, women's health, digestive disorders, neurological conditions, stress management, and post-surgical recovery. He earned his doctorate from Pacific College of Health and Science and a master's degree from South Baylo University, where he teaches. He also holds degrees from Johns Hopkins University and UC Berkeley, studied at Shanghai Jiao Tong University, and worked at UC Irvine Medical Center.
