Symptoms of Long COVID-19 Helped by Chiropractic

A study published in the 2023 third quarter issue of the Asian-Pacific Chiropractic Journal documented the successful results of a case study where chiropractic care helped an elderly woman with symptoms of long COVID-19. It should be noted that chiropractic is not a treatment for COVID. This study speaks to chiropractic as a means of addressing the symptoms associated with Long COVID.

On their website, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control, (CDC) describes Long COVID by explaining, "Some people who have been infected with the virus that causes COVID-19 can experience long-term effects from their infection, known as Long COVID or Post-COVID Conditions (PCC). Long COVID is broadly defined as signs, symptoms, and conditions that continue or develop after acute COVID-19 infection."

Although there is little literature about chiropractic and COVID, the U.S. Department of Veteran's Affairs does list "Chiropractic Care" as a "Consults to Consider" in their August 1, 2022, booklet "Whole Health System Approach to Long - Patient-Aligned Care Team (PACT) Guide".

In this case, a 79-year-old woman sought chiropractic care for her ongoing symptoms related to Long COVID. The woman had a long medical history of health issues and was therefore in a weakened state when afflicted with COVID-19 in December of 2022. Shortly after contracting COVID, the woman was hospitalized with pneumonia. She remained in the hospital for a month before she was finally released. Many of her COVID symptoms remained before going for chiropractic care three months later.

Her Long COVID symptoms included feeling shaky, dry mouth, labored breathing, itching, and fatigue. The woman also noted that since COVID she was experiencing severe memory impairment to the point where she no longer remembered how to write and had to learn this skill all over again. She reported that her worst problem was a sharp "razor blade" like feeling in the back of her throat.

After a chiropractic examination was performed, specific forms of chiropractic care were started. The woman reported some changes in how her throat felt after the first adjustment. By her fourth chiropractic visit, the woman reported that many of her symptoms had decreased. She noted that the sensation of razor blades in her throat were gone. As her care continued, most of her symptoms improved or stabilized. The study records that, as a result of chiropractic care, the woman could take a deep breath and her memory was starting to return.

The report does note that the woman did not see any improvement with her fatigue. The authors noted that one of her medications that she had been taking may be a factor with her fatigue, as fatigue is a direct side-effect of that particular medication.

At the writing of this case report, the woman had elected to continue chiropractic and was continuing to show improvement in all her non-fatigue related symptoms.