Post-COVID Syndrome
Coronavirus caused by COVID-19 can cause a variety of symptoms, ranging from mild to severe. Unfortunately, some of these symptoms can linger for months and some people develop chronic symptoms even after they test negative for the virus. While we are still learning about the long-term effects of COVID-19, there is a need right now for effective treatments for patients who experience ongoing symptoms after they are supposedly recovered. Sometimes called “long-haulers”, people with post-COVID syndrome may struggle with fatigue, pain, respiratory problems, and neurological symptoms. If you are experiencing persistent symptoms after coronavirus, you are not alone—up to 87% of COVID-19 patients have at least one ongoing symptom after they are considered recovered.1
Treatment for Post-COVID Syndrome in Dallas
At Mind + Body Medicine in Dallas, we are committed to helping patients with post-COVID syndrome. Led by Dr. Howard Cohen, a board-certified and highly regarded pain management physician, our team is uniquely qualified to help patients find relief from lingering coronavirus symptoms. Dr. Cohen has dedicated his career to helping people with hard-to-treat ailments through a holistic and integrative treatment approach. Unlike specialists who only treat within a single modality, we recognize that post-COVID symptoms can present in many different ways and we offer a variety of treatment options that are customized to meet each patient’s individual needs.
Understanding the Long Term Effects of COVID-19
Many post-COVID symptoms may be the result of a hypersensitive nervous system. Studies show that, for some patients, coronavirus infections have significant effects on the nervous system which can result in neurological symptoms such as chronic pain, headaches, and tingling or numbness in the limbs.2 Another consideration in evaluating post-COVID syndrome is an individual patient’s medical and psychological history. It is well-documented that certain physical conditions, such as diabetes or pre-existing heart or lung disease, can increase the chances of severe illness from COVID-193. However, emerging research also shows that patients who have a history of trauma, including severe stress, PTSD, or ongoing exposure to traumatic conditions, experience an elevated level of symptoms from COVID-19.4
Symptoms of Post-COVID Syndrome
Symptoms of “long haul” coronavirus may include:5
- Exhaustion or fatigue
- Persistent cough or shortness of breath
- Joint and muscle pain
- Frequent headaches
- “Brain fog” or memory problems
- Increased depression and anxiety
- Hair loss
- Long-term loss of smell or taste
Ketamine Infusion Therapy for Post-COVID Syndrome
Dr. Cohen has been a pioneer in the use of ketamine therapy for neuropathic pain and other chronic conditions. Ketamine is a non-opioid medication that has been shown to significantly reduce chronic pain when administered intravenously in a medical setting.6 Ketamine can also reduce inflammation, which may be key to resolving ongoing post-COVID symptoms.
Integrative Treatment for Post-COVID Syndrome
Dallas Mind + Body offers a range of services that can be combined to treat post-COVID syndrome. In addition to ketamine therapy, Dr. Cohen is also an expert in brain stimulation techniques. These non-surgical and non-narcotic treatments, such as Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS), have been proven to improve a number of conditions that may be caused by post-COVID syndrome, including:
Fatigue
Nerve pain
Cognitive impairment
Treatment resistant depression
Stellate Ganglion Block for Post-COVID Syndrome
Mind + Body Medicine offers Stellate Ganglion Block (SGB) as a cutting-edge treatment for lingering post-COVID symptoms with an 86% success rate. SGB is a quick 15-minute, minimally invasive procedure performed by Dr. Rodrigue that targets the sympathetic nervous system, which may play a role in persistent symptoms like brain fog, anxiety, loss of smell, and fatigue. An anesthetic injection into the sympathetic nerves on either side of the neck resets the autonomic nervous system, helping reduce inflammation and improve overall neurological function, providing relief to patients who have struggled with long-term post-COVID effects.
Get Relief From
Post-COVID Symptoms
If you believe that you may be suffering from post-COVID syndrome, we understand your frustration. In some ways you are recovered, but day-to-day you are still struggling with ongoing symptoms that don’t respond to traditional treatments. Know that you are not alone and that we are here to help you find relief.
Contact Mind + Body Medicine in Dallas
Contact us to learn about clinically proven treatments and personalized care for symptoms of post-COVID syndrome.