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Although the COVID-19 pandemic seems to be in the rearview mirror, many people are still struggling with the long-term effects of the disease.
At some point in 2022, the CDC reports that 1 in 5 adults who contract the virus still experience prolonged COVID. The numbers have dropped since then, but the lingering effects of COVID can be debilitating for those still suffering.
The medical community has taken notice and options are available for long-term treatment of COVID. Aspen Orthopedic Pain and Spine is offering a groundbreaking treatment for people who have been suffering for months—or even years—with prolonged COVID.
Understanding the effects of prolonged COVID
Long-term COVID can take a toll on your body and your daily life. The name was coined in the early days of the pandemic after people experiencing prolonged symptoms of the disease called themselves “long haulers.” The united state Department of Health and Human Services says, “Long-term COVID is not a single condition. It represents many potentially overlapping entities, likely with different biological causes and different sets of risk factors and outcomes.”
When a person experiences a particularly severe case of COVID-19, the chance of experiencing long-term or multiorgan effects is greater. You may be more likely to develop conditions such as diabetes, heart problems, or neurological problems.
A new treatment to relieve suffering
One of the most common symptoms of COVID is the loss of taste and smell, also called parosmia. Everyday life can be miserable—even crazy—when your basic human senses aren’t working!
Stellate Ganglion Block (SGB) is a nerve-blocking treatment that has seen good results in chronic COVID patients. SGB is a proven treatment commonly used for chronic pain management, headaches, excessive sweating, and even PTSD. It’s a simple injection into the bundle of nerves at the base of the neck that helps block signals from your sympathetic nervous system. In chronic COVID patients, it can act as a reset button for your nervous system, helping to restore your sense of taste and smell.
A 2022 study from the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center is just one study that backs this up. According to the study authors, “Stellate ganglion block (SGB) can reduce increased sympathetic activity and potentially resolve anosmia. [loss of smell] and dysgeusia [taste disorder] happening because of prolonged COVID.”
Make an appointment with Aspen Orthopedic Pain and Spine
Dr. Greg Condie on Aspen Orthopedic Pain and Spine is determined to restore your life with optimal function and movement. Treatment aims to help patients regain control of their lives, one step at a time. Condie and her staff provide quality care to Murray and the surrounding community by focusing on the root cause of disease.
Additionally, Aspen Orthopedic Pain and Spine is the only place in Utah where you can receive this treatment for chronic COVID. Utah has several clinics dedicated to long-term COVID treatment, but they specialize in mitigating the long-term effects of the virus (think respiratory therapy, etc.) rather than the whole-body, holistic approach offered by Aspen Orthopedic and Spine.
Early treatment improves your quality of life in both the short and long term, so don’t delay getting the help you need. Schedule an appointment at Aspen Orthopedic Pain and Spine and take back control of your life.
