Breaking Through Post-COVID Brain Fog: How Acupuncture is Restoring Mental Clarity for Long-Haulers

In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, millions of people worldwide continue to struggle with lingering symptoms that persist long after their initial recovery. Among these challenging post-viral symptoms, brain fog has emerged as one of the most debilitating and frustrating conditions affecting long-COVID patients. Approximately 10–30% of people have lingering symptoms after an acute SARS-CoV-2 infection, making it challenging for them to return to work and resume their normal daily activities, including neurological symptoms such as fatigue, cognitive impairment, brain fog, and loss of smell and neuropsychiatric symptoms such as anxiety and depression.

Understanding Post-COVID Brain Fog

Brain fog isn’t an official medical diagnosis; rather, it’s a colloquial term for a range of significant, persistent neurocognitive impairments that cause such symptoms as sluggish thinking, difficulty processing information, forgetfulness, and an inability to focus. People have told me they used to be amazing at multitasking, but with brain fog they can do only one thing at a time. Other patients have switched jobs because they could no longer handle the tasks, stress, or thought-load of their previous job, explains neurologist Dr. Lindsay McAlpine from Yale Medicine.

The symptoms of post-COVID brain fog can significantly impact daily life and include:

• Trouble concentrating, impaired memory, and difficulty completing tasks
• Self-perception of sluggish or fuzzy thinking, unusual forgetfulness, and not being able to maintain attention
• Difficulty paying attention, problems concentrating, understanding details, and paying attention

The good news is that the vast majority of patients with post-COVID-19 brain fog recover completely over the course of 6 to 9 months. There is a small segment of patients of all ages that experience brain fog persistently for up to 2 years.

The Science Behind Acupuncture for Cognitive Recovery

Traditional acupuncture is showing remarkable promise in addressing post-COVID neurological symptoms. This systematic review suggested that acupuncture could be explored as an alternative approach for addressing neurological and neuropsychiatric complications in long COVID patients. Research demonstrates that acupuncture works through multiple mechanisms to support cognitive recovery:

Acupuncture has been shown to modulate both sympathetic (fight-or-flight) and parasympathetic (rest-and-digest) activities. Studies indicate that acupuncture can reduce sympathetic overactivity, which is common in dysautonomia, and enhance parasympathetic function, promoting relaxation and recovery. Additionally, acupuncture may suppress systemic inflammation by downregulating pro-inflammatory cytokines and activating the vagus nerve, which has anti-inflammatory properties.

Acupoint stimulation may improve common symptoms of cognitive impairment such as memory deficits, language dysfunction, and executive dysfunction. Studies have shown that acupuncture improves subjective cognitive decline, reduces post-stroke cognitive impairment, and improves cognitive function in MCI patients without any adverse effects.

Clinical Evidence and Treatment Outcomes

Recent research provides compelling evidence for acupuncture’s effectiveness in treating post-COVID brain fog. The total effective rate was 85%, with 85.71% cured of shortness of breath and fatigue, 84.62% cured of body pain, 82.35% cured of brain fog, and 71.42% cured of irregular menstruation in a Canadian study of 85 long-COVID cases.

Another significant study found that using electroacupuncture at the acupoints DU20 (Baihui), DU24 (Shenting) and EX-HN1 (Sishencong), for 30 minutes, three times/ per week for 4 consecutive weeks showed significant improvement in participants (N=57) experiencing brain fog. Electroacupuncture is known to provide anti-inflammatory effects which experts believe is the underlying cause of multiple COVID-19 long hauler symptoms.

Comprehensive Treatment Approach

Effective acupuncture treatment for post-COVID brain fog typically involves specific acupoint combinations. A systematic review identified GV20 (Baihui), EX-HN1 (Sishencong), EX-HN3 (Yintang), SP6 (Sanyinjiao), ST36 (Zusanli), ST40 (Fenglong), and LR3 (Taichong) as the most frequently used acupuncture points for cognitive impairment. The acupoints on the head such as GV20 (Baihui) and EX-HN1 (Sishencong) have the local effect of regulating the brain function.

Beyond needle insertion, comprehensive treatment may include complementary therapies. Moxibustion, a kind of heat therapy in which mugwort is applied to acupuncture points, can help to eliminate pathogens from the body as well as strengthen overall function.

Professional Care on Long Island

For those seeking professional acupuncture huntington station ny treatment for post-COVID symptoms, it’s essential to work with qualified practitioners who understand the complexities of long-COVID recovery. We’re committed to helping you achieve your best health. With convenient locations in Huntington and Ronkonkoma, we’re dedicated to offering safe, drug-free solutions to address a variety of health concerns.

Think Acupuncture blends ancient traditional wisdom and modern scientific research to provide the highest level of clinical care possible. Our Long Island Acupuncture team is comprised of New York State Licensed Acupuncturists holding the highest training in the state. Additionally, our acupuncturists are nationally board certified in both acupuncture and Chinese Herbology.

What to Expect During Treatment

Traditional Chinese and Japanese acupuncture recognizes that many times aches, pains and other discomforts are only symptoms of a deeper underlying health problem. Therefore, a comprehensive diagnosis is complied, which takes into account the individual’s body, mind, and spirit. The theory behind this healing approach is known as “Root-Branch Philosophy”. The “branch” is the symptom that the patient is experiencing and the “root” is the cause of the manifestation of that symptom.

Treatment typically involves regular sessions over several weeks. Preliminary research has shown acupuncture to alleviate fatigue, brain fog, and autonomic symptoms in long COVID patients, suggesting its potential efficacy. Many patients report improvements in mental clarity, concentration, and overall cognitive function as treatment progresses.

Supporting Your Recovery Journey

While it can be difficult to address the constellation of clinical manifestations as well as multiple organ systems involved in post-Covid sequelae, as holistic health practitioners, acupuncture and natural medicine can be a missing link for managing chronic manifestations of Covid. Many of the symptoms of long Covid are already things we often treat successfully with acupuncture and herbs in the clinic!

Acupuncture can help to restore the healthy flow of qi and organ function, and as well has been clinically proven to improve many of the effects of long Covid. This includes reducing pain and inflammation, regulating the parasympathetic—”rest and digest”—aspect of the nervous system, improving microcirculation, and optimizing immune function.

If you’re struggling with post-COVID brain fog, remember that you’re not alone in this journey. With its ability to improve cognitive function, enhance mental clarity, and promote overall well-being, acupuncture has become a popular choice for those seeking relief from brain fog and other symptoms caused by stress and Long COVID. By combining acupuncture with other natural remedies and making lifestyle modifications, individuals can take control of their brain health and regain their clarity and focus.

The path to recovery from post-COVID brain fog may take time, but with professional acupuncture care, many patients are finding their way back to mental clarity and cognitive wellness. Consider consulting with a qualified acupuncturist to explore how this ancient healing art, supported by modern research, can help restore your cognitive function and quality of life.