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Despite the appearance of being in the clear from the COVID-19 pandemic, there are still individuals grappling with its lingering effects.
At one point in 2022, the CDC reported that 1 in 5 adults who contracted the virus were still experiencing long COVID. Although the numbers have declined, the impact of long COVID on those still affected can be severe.
The medical community has taken notice, and there are treatments available for long COVID. Aspen Orthopedic Pain and Spine is at the forefront, offering groundbreaking treatment for long COVID sufferers.
Understanding the effects of long COVID
Long COVID can have devastating consequences on one’s body and daily life. Coined during the early days of the pandemic, “long haulers” were people experiencing lingering disease symptoms. According to the United States Department of Health and Human Services, “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.”
Severe cases of COVID-19 increase the likelihood of long-lasting or multiorgan effects. Individuals may become more susceptible to developing conditions such as diabetes, heart problems, or neurological issues.
A novel treatment for relief
One of the most common COVID symptoms is the loss of taste and smell, also known as parosmia. When basic human senses fail to function, everyday life can be miserable or even exasperating!
Stellate Ganglion Block (SGB) is a nerve-blocking treatment that has shown promising outcomes in long COVID patients. SGB is a proven treatment for chronic pain management, headaches, excessive sweating, and PTSD. With a simple injection at the base of the neck, SGB helps block signals from the sympathetic nervous system. For long COVID patients, it can act as a reset button for the nervous system, aiding in the recovery of taste and smell.
A 2022 study from the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center supports this treatment. 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.”
Schedule an appointment with Aspen Orthopedic Pain and Spine
Dr. Greg Condie at Aspen Orthopedic Pain and Spine is dedicated to restoring your life with optimal functionality and movement. The treatment aims to help patients regain control of their lives, one step at a time. Condie and his team offer quality care to Murray and the surrounding community by focusing on the root cause of pain.
Aspen Orthopedic Pain and Spine is the only facility in Utah providing this treatment for long COVID. Utah has a few clinics focusing on long COVID treatment, but they specialize in mitigating lingering virus effects (e.g., respiratory therapy) rather than Aspen Orthopedic and Spine’s whole-body, holistic approach.
Seeking early treatment improves both short-term and long-term quality of life. Don’t delay getting the help you need; schedule an appointment with Aspen Orthopedic Pain and Spine and take back control of your life.
