One of the many issues concerning people in these strange days is how to treat what has become known as Long Covid, continuing symptoms suffered by those who appeared to recover from the virus but who have not got back to what they describe as ‘normal’. These symptoms can be varying levels of fatigue, breathlessness, muscle or joint pain and ‘brain fog’, but how can these draining effects be alleviated? Recent guidelines issued by the National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE) have instructed doctors not to keep offering painkillers to those with chronic primary pain, but to prescribe exercise and acupuncture instead.
The Importance of Exercise
For those not up to a stroll along the seafront or on the South Downs, a short walk around the block will get you started, daily if possible, which can be gradually increased if you are up to it. Any exercise is better than none, but be kind to yourself.
Access to effective alternative treatments is patchy across the country, but in Brighton & Hove we are lucky to have a number of experienced, qualified practitioners. The NICE recommendation of acupuncture may not appeal to those afraid of needles, in which case they might consider Five-Element Acupuncture where, after a detailed consultation, the practitioner rapidly and expertly applies the fine needle to the correct area and then immediately removes it. Five-Element Acupuncture practitioners are witnessing far more complete recoveries in their patients after even a few treatments.
As we emerge out of lockdown into the long-awaited spring, involving exercise and natural health approaches can help shift the balance of health positively into feeling well again, after all the extraordinary challenges posed by Covid-19.
To find out more about our range of natural medicine and therapy, don’t hesitate to get in touch!
About the author
John M Rawlings BA (Hons) DIHom PgDSHom HMD MHMA Lic Ac AAC
Already with 25 years’ experience in natural medicine, John’s practice has reached new heights with his qualification in Five-Element Acupuncture, having trained with the London Institute of Five-Element Acupuncture LIFEA. After experiencing the benefits directly for himself and seeing the often-immediate transformation in patients undergoing this treatment, he was certain that this was a life-changing approach that would enable him to treat the root causes of illness.
John became fascinated with non-suppressive routes to healing after his childhood experience of having eczema treatment that induced life-threatening asthma. He has honed his ability to examine the health events in a patient’s life, however complex, and to offer a direct route back to better health. He sees this as the natural direction of the cure, working in harmony with the healing power of the natural world.
As well as being a licenced acupuncturist Lic.Ac and accredited with the Association of Acupuncture Clinicians AAC, John is a registered Homoeopath, incorporates Naturopathic and Nutritional Medicine approaches into his practice, and is certified in Ashtanga vinyasa yoga. He has had a deep respect and love of nature all through his life and continues to expand his knowledge of its healing potential, both for self-healing and for the benefit of his patients.