Symptoms of Long COVID Helped by Chiropractic

The Second Quarter 2025 issue of the Asian Pacific Chiropractic Journal published the results of a case study documenting the improvement of a patient under chiropractic care who had been suffering with the effects of long COVID. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control defines this condition by saying, "Long COVID is defined as a chronic condition that occurs after SARS-CoV-2 infection and is present for at least 3 months. Long COVID includes a wide range of symptoms or conditions that may improve, worsen, or be ongoing."

The authors of this study report that there has been some reference to chiropractic for long COVID by the US Veterans Administration (VA). "The Veterans Administration of the United States included chiropractic under ‘consults to consider’ in a booklet on long COVID. A survey of more than 89,000 patients found that 14.4% of people with long COVID symptoms used Chiropractic care for relief."

In this case, a 66-year-old retired military officer decided to seek chiropractic care as a result of responding to a call for participants for a study on chiropractic’s effect on long-term COVID cases. This man had an initial bout of COVID in September of 2021. He suffered a second bout of COVID in February of 2024. His long-term symptoms seemed to have arisen from his second bout of COVID.

Upon seeking chiropractic care, the man was suffering with symptoms that included chronic deep fatigue, muscle aches, brain fog, light headedness, a pins and needles sensation, dizziness, exercise intolerance, and a loss of his sense of smell. His symptoms were affecting his life to the point where he needed to take an Uber to his first chiropractic visit as he felt he was unable to drive.

A detailed chiropractic examination was performed which revealed the presence of vertebral subluxations. With these findings, a series of specific chiropractic adjustments were started. As the man’s care continued, the study reports a gradual improvement in his symptoms. In particular, the study documented his improvement in his sense of smell and the improved ability to increase his exercise without resulting in severe post-exercise malaise which he was experiencing before the chiropractic care.

The authors note that this man’s chiropractic care took place during a stressful time in his life as he was dealing with the sickness and eventual death of his father. Even under these difficult and stressful circumstances, the man did show improvement in his long COVID symptoms. The study authors commented, "This case report joins several others in highlighting the potential benefit of Chiropractic care for long COVID sufferers. Our patient exhibited significant improvement in exercise tolerance and olfactory function during less than three months of chiropractic care." They added, "While this former military officer is certainly not ‘back to himself’, his improvement in less than three months is significant."