While the COVID-19 pandemic may seem like it's in the rearview mirror, many people are still struggling with long-term effects of the disease.
At one point in 2022, the CDC reported that 1 in 5 adults who contracted the virus were still experiencing long COVID. The numbers have decreased since then, but the effects of long COVID can be debilitating for those still suffering.
The medical community has taken notice and options for long COVID treatment are available. Aspen Orthopedic Pain and Spine is offering groundbreaking treatment for people suffering for months—or even years—with long COVID.
Understanding the effects of long COVID
Long COVID can wreak havoc on your body and your daily life. The name was coined in the early days of the pandemic after people experiencing lingering symptoms of the disease called themselves "long haulers." The United States Department of Health and Human Services says, "Long COVID is not one condition. It represents many potentially overlapping entities, likely with different biological causes and different sets of risk factors and outcomes."
When someone experiences an especially severe case of COVID-19, the chance of experiencing lasting or multiorgan effects is even greater. You might become more likely to develop conditions like diabetes, heart problems, or neurological problems.
A new treatment to alleviate suffering
One of the most prevalent symptoms of COVID is the loss of taste and smell, also called parosmia. Everyday life can be miserable—even maddening—when your basic human senses are nonfunctioning!
Stellate Ganglion Block (SGB) is a nerve-blocking treatment that has seen promising results in long COVID patients. SGB is a proven treatment typically used for chronic pain management, headaches, excess 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. With long COVID patients, it can act as a reset button for your nervous system, helping to regain your sense of taste and smell.
A 2022 study from the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center is just one study backing this up. According to the study's authors, "Stellate ganglion block (SGB) can diminish the increased sympathetic activity and potentially resolve anosmia [loss of smell] and dysgeusia [taste disorder] occurring due to long COVID."
Make an appointment with Aspen Orthopedic Pain and Spine
Dr. Greg Condie at Aspen Orthopedic Pain and Spine is determined to restore your life with optimal functionality and movement. Treatment aims to help patients to regain control of their life, one step at a time. Condie and his staff provide quality care to Murray and the surrounding community by focusing on the root cause of pain.
Additionally, Aspen Orthopedic Pain and Spine is the only place in Utah where you can receive this treatment for long COVID. Utah has a handful of clinics focused on long COVID treatment, but they specialize in mitigating lingering effects of the virus (think respiratory therapy, etc.) rather than the whole-body, holistic approach that Aspen Orthopedic and Spine offers.
Early treatment improves your quality of life in both the short and long term, so don't put off getting the help you need. Schedule an appointment with Aspen Orthopedic Pain and Spine and take back control of your life.
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