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Alternative Treatment for Long COVID

Leveraging DSR, Stella's advanced Stellate Ganglion Block protocol, Long COVID patients are finding relief from loss of taste and smell, shortness of breath, brain fog and more.

What Is Long COVID?

Since March 2020, there have been over 650 million COVID-19 cases worldwide. Over the last two years, we've learned a lot about how the virus works and how to protect ourselves against it. We're also learning what COVID-19's long-term impact on our mental and physical health will be.


While most people who are infected with COVID-19 recover from their symptoms within four weeks, studies indicate that around 10% of people experience Long COVID symptoms. Medical professionals continue to innovate as we learn more about how COVID-19 can impact the body in the long term.

Dual Sympathetic Reset SGB For Long COVID

While early papers, case studies, and trials have provided helpful information about Long COVID, more research needs to be conducted. However, there have been cases treated by Stella that have shown significant improvement. 

Stella Certified Doctor Dr. Luke D. Liu and Research Coordinator Deborah L. Duricka recently added to this body of knowledge with their study, Stellate ganglion block reduces symptoms of Long COVID: A case series. This study explains how the Dual Sympathetic Reset, also referred to as the Stellate Ganglion Block (SGB) successfully reduced two individuals' Long COVID symptoms. 

During DSR, local anesthetic is injected, which temporarily blocks or "turns off" the nerves it's injected into which can help restore normal biological functions. 

After the individuals were treated with the Dual Sympathetic Reset, both experienced relief in symptoms like debilitating fatigue, mental fogginess, difficulty concentrating, elevated resting heart rate, sleep disturbance, altered sense of taste and smell, and lack of appetite and food aversion due to changes in taste and smell.

Stella is proud to offer the Stellate Ganglion Block for Long COVID near you. 

 

Biological Treatment Options For Long COVID

Many people who have experienced Long COVID have reported that biological and psychological interventions like Talk Therapy and the Dual Sympathetic Reset (DSR) can help them manage symptoms and improve quality of life.

Stella's advanced Stellate Ganglion Block (SGB) protocol of two injections of local anesthetic on the same side of neck near a bundle of sympathetic nerves that can bring the fight-or-flight response back to its pre-trauma state.


 

 


In-office medically guided infusions that follow a responsible innovation approach paired with integration sessions to effectively treat mental health conditions, such as depression.

 

 

 


Work directly with Stella's Advanced Practice Provider to discover the most impactful relief through smart applications of safe and effective treatment modalities.

 


 

 


Meet with Stella's Advanced Practice Providers to track symptoms, discuss nutrition, supplements, medication adherence & gain trauma-informed insights.

 


 

 

Stella Integration Sessions are built to optimize healing and growth by making meaning of ketamine infusion sessions and create individualized action plans that turn insights into growth.

 

 

 

Alongside biological treatment, meet with trauma-informed APN therapists to gain greater personal insight and understanding in support of better long-term clinical outcomes.

 


 

 

Frequently Asked Questions about Long COVID & Treatment

How common is Long COVID?

The federal government's Household Pulse survey estimates that about 10% of adults infected with Covid-19 virus continue to experience and suffer from the many symptoms termed together as "Long COVID". Patients and researchers have identified more than 200 symptoms associated with Long COVID.

What causes Long COVID?

Scientists don't know for sure what causes Long COVID, but below are some theories from research:

  • Viral Persistence: SARS-CoV-2 virus may be persistent in certain tissues and organs,  and when it becomes active again, it will trigger the immune responses and inflammation to reappear.
  • Organ and Tissue Damage: Overactive immune cells may release high levels of inflammatory substances that can injure organs and tissues. For example, COVID-19 is known to affect blood vessels, and it's possible that the virus could cause long-term damage to blood vessels and disrupt blood flow to different parts of the body, leading to persistent symptoms. Covid-19 can also affect the nervous system, which could potentially contribute to the neurological and cognitive symptoms seen in Long COVID.
  • Autoimmunity:The infection may cause the immune system to start making autoantibodies that mistakenly attack a person's own organs and tissues.
    Source: National Institute of Health

What are the symptoms of Long COVID?

There are many symptoms associated with Long COVID. Below are the most reported symptoms:

  • General symptoms
    • Tiredness or fatigue that interferes with daily life
    • Symptoms that get worse after physical or mental effort (also known as "post-exertional malaise")
    • Fever
  • Digestive symptoms
    • Diarrhea
    • Stomach pain
  • Respiratory and heart symptoms
    • Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
    • Cough
    • Chest pain
    • Fast-beating or pounding heart (also known as heart palpitations)
  • Neurological symptoms
    • Difficulty thinking or concentrating (sometimes referred to as "brain fog")
    • Headache
    • Sleep problems
    • Dizziness when you stand up (lightheadedness)
    • Pins-and-needles feelings
    • Change in smell or taste
    • Depression or anxiety
  • Other symptoms
    • Joint or muscle pain
    • Rash
    • Changes in menstrual cycles


Source: CDC

How long does Long COVID usually last?

Patients who are affected by Long COVID can have a wide range of symptoms that may last weeks, months or even years after the initial infection. Sometimes the symptoms may reappear after going away.

Who is most likely to get Long COVID?

Some groups have a higher risk of developing Long COVID symptoms, including:

  • People who have experienced severe COVID-19 cases, especially those who were hospitalized or needed intensive care
  • People who have underlying health conditions, such as diabetes, asthma, autoimmune diseases, or obesity
  • People who did not get a COVID-19 vaccine
  • People who experiences multisystem inflammatory syndrom (MIS) during or after COVID-19 illness

Other risk factors including the following:

  • Female sex
  • Older age
  • Immune response to initial infection
  • The SARS-CoV-2 variant that caused the initial infection

 

Source: CDC

 

Is SGB by Stella proven to work for Long COVID?

Yes. You can read the case report from National Library of medicine  that features SGB as a promising treatment for Long COVID symptoms. While there is no peer-reviewed research data that indicates the efficacy of SGB in treating long covid symptoms due to its novelty, many Stella patients have reported relief from symptoms like loss of taste and smell, brain fog, and disrupted sleep. 

 

How do I determine if SGB by Stella is right for me?

Please call 908-293-7559 to schedule an intake assessment with our Advanced Practice Provider to help determine if you may benefit from Treatment by Stella. Our expert clinical team will create a curated care plan based on your symptoms, health history and experience. 

 

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Long COVID Treatment Near You

Long COVID symptoms can be debilitating. Seek relief through Stella's alternative treatments for Long COVID. 

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