TCM in the Treatment of Post-Covid-19 Syndrome

The authors have covered each and every stage of post-Covid-19-syndrome (PCS) in this award-winning book. As well as looking at the short-term effects people have on their body and mind post Covid, they also explore the possible lifelong physical and emotional problems that may come with long-term post-Covid symptoms.

Sometimes the post-Covid effects are actually far more traumatic than the initial illness itself – and this book recognises the PCS that many people are already struggling with.

As acupuncturists, we find out how we can support our patients at various stages on their journey of recovery. The authors write about each of the conditions – not only from their own findings but also including research-based data on each and every condition individuals can suffer.

The clear accessible layout has 13 chapters – all including diagnosis and treatment of PCS in biomedical medical terms according to NICE. There is discussion of the increased risk of certain chronic diseases after the acute stage Covid-19 – loss of hair; heart conditions; stroke; unexplained skin rashes; postviral syndrome; ME and fibromyalgia; mental and emotional effects including PTSD; immune system abnormalities; diabetes; liver and/or kidney damage; gastrointestinal disorders ; reproductive disorders. The list is endless when you start reading this book!

More specifically, chapter 3 explains the general TCM view of PCS and the related TCM patterns. But my favourites to read were chapters 4 and 5, for understanding interstitial lung disease (ILD) and the circulatory system.

Throughout, this book offers a good combination of both western and eastern medicine views, describing each and every condition very well, including red flags. Practitioners new to the field of treating post-Covid patients in particular will appreciate the clear definitions of terminology within biomedical and TCM – highly important when talking to patients with full of confidence about how we are going to treat them.

The authors also give good advice for post-Covid patients regarding the TCM way of supporting recovery – healthy balanced diet, including nuts and fruit, with TCM mind-body exercise including qigong gentle physical exercise, taiji, and dai yin.

What I like most about this book though, is the case studies, explaining each disorder and giving treatment protocols – all well worth a read.

The whole book is very easy to read and understand, and I am not at all surprised that it is already winning awards. To sum up, I would say that Traditional Chinese Medicine in the Treatment of Post-Covid–19 Syndrome is not only good for acupuncturists – it is also a must for the general public, especially for helping our patients to understand the chaos that has been caused by their illness.

Traditional Chinese Medicine in the Treatment of Post Covid–19-Syndrome is published by World Scientific