The symptoms of Covid-19 can vary a lot and the path to recovery is different for everyone. For some people, Covid-19 symptoms can last for weeks or even months after the infection period is over. This is what is called long Covid. It is common for people who had little to mild Covid symptoms, to develop long-term problems due to it.

Some people feel better within a few weeks after the initial Covid infection, and full recovery is usually achieved within 12 weeks. However, this is not the case for everyone, symptoms can linger in the person, after that period of time, if not treated.

For some people, Covid-19 symptoms can last for weeks or even months after the infection period is over. This is what is called long Covid.

Long Covid symptoms include:

• Extreme tiredness (fatigue);
• Shortness of breath;
• Chest pain or tightness;
• Problems with memory and thinking (“brain fog”);
• Sleeping problems (insomnia);
• Heart palpitations;
• Dizziness;
• Pins and needles or numbness in the extremities (hands and/or feet);
• Joint/articulation pain or muscle pain;
• Depression;
• Anxiety;
• Digestive problems such as; nausea, diarrhoea, stomach aches, loss of appetite;
• Persistent cough, headaches, sore throat;
• Loss of the sense of smell or taste;

If you have any of the above, now might be the time for you to try Acupuncture, Chinese Medicine is safe, natural and effective. Acupuncture targets the root cause of the disease or illness. Acupuncture increases blood flow, encouraging all of the body systems to improve, resulting in a stronger Immune System and in turn preventing colds and flus.

Optimal health is a process, a chronic condition develops over time, so to fix the condition you will need to build on repairing the body systems. It is recommended like other complementary therapies to commit to four to six treatments to manage this expectation realistically at a minimum.

You will experience benefits such as energy, better sleep, reduced coughing and carefree moods. When you are good everyone around you benefits.

So, invest in your health and book an Acupuncture treatment now.

You are worth it.

Supporting your immune system is key as winter approaches. The best way to do this is by eating a healthy diet that is rich in an immune system supporting foods. Eating foods rich in key vitamins and minerals will prevent you from picking up bugs or prevent you from becoming too sick. Here are a few foods to help support the immune system.

Tips to keep the bugs at bay and covid away Supporting your immune system is key as winter approaches. The best way to do this is by eating a healthy diet that is rich in an immune system supporting foods. Eating foods rich in key vitamins and minerals will prevent you from picking up bugs or prevent you from becoming too sick. Here are a few foods to help support the immune system. 

Garlic is a powerful and must-eat vegetable to include in your diet. With its antifungal and antibacterial properties, garlic helps keep gut bacteria healthy which is essential for immune health.

Garlic is high in antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties which can help protect against pathogens. Top tips: add garlic into cooking, soups, curries and stir-fries. Chop garlic and leave for a few minutes to help release allicin a compound that has great antimicrobial effects. Also, 70% of your immune cells reside in the gut so having a healthy gastrointestinal system is incredibly important. Ginger is another strong anti-inflammatory with antioxidant, antiviral and antibacterial properties. Ginger is great for stimulating digestive enzymes and great for motility. Supporting the digestive system will help support immune health. Top tip: add diced ginger to food or add to warm water. Mushrooms (especially shitake, oyster and reishi ) are great for supporting the immune system, boosting energy and reducing inflammation in the body. The beta-glucans help stimulate the immune system to work more efficiently and promote the growth of beneficial bacteria in the gut. Medicinal mushrooms have been used for centuries for medicinal purposes Orange/ Red fruit / Vegetables – are rich in beta carotene: this is a red-orange pigment converted to vitamin A in the body. Vitamin A is an anti-inflammatory vitamin, and it helps protect the mucous membranes that line the nose, sinuses and mouth. Your mucous membranes are a natural physical barrier against pathogens, preventing microorganisms (bacteria and viruses) from entering the body. Turmeric contains curcumin, a powerful compound with anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties that helps to protect immune cells from damage and block the action of inflammatory molecules. Turmeric can also help with autoimmune conditions like Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis. Add Turmeric to fat to aid with absorption. E.g Turmeric to milk or to an omelette.

Blockages in the Base Chakra can cause low energy, stress, anxiety and anger. When your base chakra is balanced you may feel strong enough to make a change, move forward or will just  feel more confident and secure in yourself and your abilities.

Reiki is an excellent modality of healing that helps to balance all the body energy and systems. When the Base Chakra is unbalanced or blocked the physical aspects shown will present with symptoms such as digestive issues, back hip and knee pain, period issues and immunity imbalances.   

In Reiki, during the treatment hands are placed near the Base Chakra and energy is passed to the area. After the negative forms of energy are removed your stream of energy is recovered and flows smoothly through your body and it is a safe and natural method of healing.

1 hour of Reiki is equivalent to 4 hours of sleep as it is linked to REM  Rapid Eye Movement, if the body and mind are relaxed it aids with the healing process and optimal health.

To unblock imbalance in the base Chakra engage with the earth through activities such as gardening, hiking, walking barefoot and hip-shaking exercises.

Beans, Nuts, Eggs and  Root Vegetables are associated with the base Chakra.

As the primary colour for the Base Chakra is RED you can also use RED CRYSTALS such as LIGHT RED ALMANDINE GARNET, RED JASPER and  CUPRITE.

The word “holistic” may equate to some people as “universal or alternative” therapies. While these are aspects of holistic health, there is much, much more to it.

The body, mind and spirit are separate entities, but it is vital that they exist in balance if we want to feel happy and healthy.

If your body is falling, your mind and soul will be affected too. Equally, your mind and thoughts are powerful enough to affect your body. It is especially important that those three entities are healthy, connected and in balance.

Your emotional state, feelings and health can be very easily influenced by the environment in which you are currently living. Negative thoughts, stress, trauma, fights, and grief can all have negative impact on not only your mind but also the state of your body.

You currently may be going through difficult period, in which you may:

• be feeling overwhelmed
• be stressed
• be feeling useless… and not sure where to start again
• be feeling hopeless
• be feeling that nobody understands you
• be feeling emotionally exhausted

It is ok too have these feelings; what is important is that you do not just disregard them.

You may need some gentle energy which can help you to restart and balance your mind, soul, and body again.

Reiki is an incredible life force energy which could help you to heal your body and mind. It also could help you to understand your inner self. With Reiki you may discover your deeper feelings and inner dreams, which you may have kept suppressed for a long time; and it may lead you to finding your own power.

Contact Martina at 087 637 8872 or email alternativehealingcentre8@gmail.com