Related Experiment Video
Updated: Sep 4, 2025
Author Spotlight: Improving Anesthesia Protocols for Enhanced Mouse Acupuncture Research
Published on: December 8, 2023
The Role of Acupuncture for Long COVID: Mechanisms and Models
James E Williams1, Jacques Moramarco1
1Emperor's College of Traditional Medicine, Santa Monica, CA, USA.
Insights
Acupuncture shows promise for managing Long COVID symptoms like fatigue and pain. This traditional therapy offers a safe, effective approach within integrative medicine to improve patient quality of life.
Area of Science:
- Integrative Medicine
- Traditional Chinese Medicine
- Acupuncture Research
Background:
- Long COVID affects 30-40% of COVID-19 cases, presenting diverse symptoms.
- Symptoms include fatigue, malaise, chronic pain, and mood changes.
- Acupuncture is being explored for symptom relief and addressing underlying causes.
Purpose of the Study:
- Establish acupuncture's evidence-based role in Long COVID management.
- Evaluate acupuncture as a safe and effective integrative treatment.
Main Methods:
- Review of historical Traditional Chinese Medicine texts.
- Analysis of contemporary scientific literature and case studies.
- Exploration of acupuncture's application in viral infections.
Main Results:
- Acupuncture historically treats febrile illnesses.
- Evidence supports acupuncture for symptoms of viral infections (SARS, COVID-19).
- Early reports indicate effectiveness in managing Long COVID symptoms.
Conclusions:
- Acupuncture is a viable adjunctive therapy for Long COVID symptom control.
- It can improve quality of life as part of multidisciplinary care.
- Further research and broader clinical use are warranted.
Objective:
To establish an evidence-based role for acupuncture as a safe and effective treatment for managing Long COVID in the integrative medical setting.
Background:
COVID-19 progresses to a chronic state, termed Long COVID, in about 30% of cases with estimates as high as 40% for prolonged illness. Symptoms are diverse and range over several body systems, including unrelenting fatigue, persistent malaise, chronic pain, and mood changes. Early clinical reports suggest acupuncture can effectively address both symptoms and the underlying causes of Long COVID.
Evidence:
Historically, acupuncture is well defined in Traditional Chinese Medicine writings to treat influenza-like febrile illnesses. Contemporary scientific literature and case studies support the value of acupuncture for symptoms associated with acute and chronic respiratory viral infections, such as influenza, including SARS and COVID-19. Recent reports provide early evidence of acupuncture's effectiveness in managing Long COVID symptoms and may also have disease-modifying benefits.
Conclusion:
Acupuncture is a viable adjunctive health care modality as part of a multidisciplinary approach for symptom control and disease management to improve quality of life in Long COVID patients. Since acupuncture may favorably modify the length and outcome of this condition, the model of acupuncture presented in this article warrants broader use in the integrative clinical setting and for further research.
