Long Covid and Bowen Therapy
What is Long Covid or Post-Covid Syndrome?
Long Covid, also known as Post-Covid Syndrome, a term used to describe the persistence of COVID-19 symptoms for an extended period long after the initial infection has resolved and can manifest in various ways. While most Covid-19 cases are mild and do not require hospitalisation, Long Covid affects people of all ages, including those who had only mild or no symptoms during their initial illness. This article will discuss the symptoms of Long Covid and provides advice for those affected by the condition. For ease, I will refer to it as Long Covid.
One of the most common symptoms reported by patients with Long Covid is a loss of taste and smell. In this article, we will explore the causes and symptoms of loss of smell and taste in Long Covid and how Bowen therapy can help due to its neurophysiological nature.
What are the symptoms of Long Covid?
The symptoms of Long Covid vary widely and can affect multiple systems in the body. Some of the most commonly reported symptoms include loss of smell and taste, fatigue, brain fog, headaches, muscle weakness, joint pain, chest pain, and shortness of breath. Other reported symptoms include heart palpitations, gastrointestinal problems, skin rashes, and mood disorders such as anxiety and depression.
One of the most concerning aspects of Long Covid is the unpredictability of symptom onset and duration. Some people experience symptoms for a few weeks, while others continue to experience symptoms for months. The severity of symptoms can also fluctuate over time, with some people experiencing periods of improvement followed by relapses.
Loss of Smell and Taste in Long Covid-19
Loss of smell and taste is a common symptom of COVID, and it is often one of the first symptoms to appear. According to a study published in the journal of Internal Medicine, 86% of patients with mild to moderate COVID-19 reported loss of smell and taste. In Long Covid, loss of smell and taste can persist for weeks or even months after recovery from the acute phase of the illness.
The exact cause of loss of smell and taste in Long Covid is not yet fully understood. However, it is believed to be related to the virus’s ability to invade and damage the olfactory and gustatory sensory neurons in the nasal cavity and mouth. The damage to these neurons can result in a decreased ability to detect and process odours and flavours, leading to a loss of smell and taste.
Long Covid, a term used to describe the persistence of COVID symptoms for an extended period, can manifest in various ways. One of the most common symptoms reported by patients with Long Covid is a loss of taste and smell. In this article, we will explore the causes and symptoms of loss of smell and taste in Long Covid and how Bowen therapy can help due to its neurophysiological nature.
Causes of Loss of Smell and Taste in Long Covid
Loss of smell and taste is a common symptom of COVID, and it is often one of the first symptoms to appear. According to a study published in the journal of Internal Medicine, 86% of patients with mild to moderate COVID reported loss of smell and taste. In Long Covid, loss of smell and taste can persist for weeks or even months after recovery from the acute phase of the illness.
The exact cause of loss of smell and taste in Long Covid is not yet fully understood. However, it is believed to be related to the virus’s ability to invade and damage the olfactory and gustatory sensory neurons in the nasal cavity and mouth. The damage to these neurons can result in a decreased ability to detect and process odours and flavours, leading to a loss of smell and taste.

How can Bowen Therapy help Long Covid Syndrome?
Bowen therapy is a gentle form of bodywork that can help individuals with Long Covid who are experiencing a loss of smell and taste. Bowen therapy works by stimulating the body’s natural healing mechanisms, including the autonomic nervous system, which controls the body’s involuntary functions, including the senses of smell and taste.
The autonomic nervous system is divided into two branches, the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems. In Long Covid, the sympathetic nervous system (which is responsible for the body’s “fight or flight” response) may be overactive, leading to inflammation and damage to the olfactory and gustatory neurons.
Bowen therapy works by stimulating the parasympathetic nervous system (which is responsible for the body’s “rest and digest” response), promoting relaxation, and reducing inflammation. This stimulation helps to activate the body’s natural healing mechanisms, allowing it to repair the damaged neurons in the nasal cavity and mouth.
Bowen therapy can also help to improve the blood flow and oxygen supply to the olfactory and gustatory sensory neurons, which are essential for their proper function. Improved blood flow can help to restore the neurons’ ability to detect and process odours and flavours, leading to a restoration of the senses of smell and taste.
Additionally, Bowen therapy can help to reduce stress and anxiety levels, which can worsen the symptoms of Long Covid, including loss of smell and taste. By promoting relaxation and reducing stress, Bowen therapy can help individuals with Long Covid to manage their symptoms and improve their overall quality of life.
Conclusion
Loss of smell and taste is a common symptom of Long Covid, and it can persist for weeks or months after recovery from the acute phase of the illness. Bowen therapy, a gentle form of bodywork that stimulates the body’s natural healing mechanisms, can help individuals with Long Covid who are experiencing a loss of smell and taste. Bowen therapy works by promoting relaxation, reducing inflammation, improving blood flow, and reducing stress levels, all of which can help to restore the senses of smell and taste.
If you are experiencing a loss of smell and taste due to Long Covid, consider incorporating Bowen therapy into your treatment plan to promote healing and improve your overall quality of life.
I have treated patients who had been suffering with loss of taste and smell for over a. year and are now able to taste and smell.
Contact me now to see how I can help you too.
What a client said
“Taste and smell have remained throughout – which is great!”
From a client who had been unable to taste or smell for over a year.
Resources
https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fphys.2020.625110/full