Modern clinical research indicates that acupuncture provides a multi-target regulatory effect to reset systems disrupted by viral infection:
– Anti-Inflammatory Modulation: Acupuncture helps resolve the cytokine storm aftermath by lowering pro-inflammatory markers like IL-6 and CRP, which often remain elevated in long-haulers.
– Vagal Tone Restoration: By stimulating the vagus nerve, acupuncture helps correct the dysautonomia (autonomic nervous system imbalance) that drives common symptoms like palpitations, shortness of breath, and wired anxiety.
– Nitric Oxide (NO) Normalisation: Treatment can raise NO levels, which improves local microcirculation and oxygen delivery to tissues, helping to lift the brain fog and physical heaviness caused by poor cellular oxygenation.
– Neuropsychiatric Support: Meta-analyses show significant improvement in neurological symptoms, specifically reducing fatigue scores and enhancing cognitive function (memory and concentration) by modulating neurotransmitters like serotonin.
