Regaining Taste and Smell after COVID - Acupuncture and Pressure Points

Losing Taste and Smell Due to COVID-19

Loss or change in sense of taste (ageusia) and smell (anosmia) have emerged as common symptoms in up to 80% of COVID-19 infections. While these sensory problems often resolve within 4 weeks, research shows over half of patients continue experiencing taste and smell dysfunction for 6 months or longer post-infection.

Causes of COVID-Related Smell and Taste Loss

It's believed SARS-CoV-2 virus harms cells surrounding olfactory nerve fibers, disrupting signals from chemical receptors in the nose to olfactory cortex in the brain that normally identify odors. This nerve damage also indirectly impacts taste which relies in part on smell function.

Inflammatory proteins released to fight COVID infection may also temporarily block reception or transmission of taste and smell signals through the nasal cavity, mouth, and respiratory tract in moderate-severe cases.

Effects of Persistent Loss of Smell and Taste

Long after recovering from the acute infection, many with ongoing issues experience:

• Reduced appetite and food enjoyment
• Unintended weight loss from low calorie intake
• Inability to detect smoke, gas leaks, spoiled foods
• Depression and anxiety

Research also links blunted taste and smell to reduced immunity and poorer nutrition since these senses regulate appetite and food choices to obtain important nutrients.

Treatments to Restore Taste and Smell

If taste and smell problems continue beyond 4 weeks after a COVID-19 infection, it’s important to see an ear, nose and throat specialist (otolaryngologist) to assess nerve damage and develop a treatment plan that may incorporate:

Smell Training

Similar to physical therapy for rebuilding muscle, smell training aims to stimulate olfactory nerves and pathways through repeated exposure to potent odors like:

• Eucalyptus
• Lemon
• Rose
• Clove
• Thyme
• Cinnamon

Smell training involves sniffing each odor for about 20 seconds a few times per day, often for several months. This neural activation can help regenerate damaged nerves over time in some people.

Steroid Nasal Sprays

Corticosteroid nasal sprays like Flonase and Rhinocort contain powerful anti-inflammatory medication directly delivered to nasal passageways. Reducing lingering inflammation can potentially allow smell/taste signals to again transmit.

These nasal sprays are often the first treatment tried and require at least 8 weeks of consistent use to determine if taste and smell improve.

Oral Steroids

If nasal steroids prove ineffective after 2-3 months, a short tapering course of oral steroids like prednisone or methylprednisolone may be considered. Though given systemically, oral steroids still aim to resolve stubborn olfactory inflammation.

However risks like high blood pressure, fluid retention, mood changes, sleep disturbances, and immunosuppression require close monitoring and limiting this treatment to around 2 weeks.

Acupuncture and Acupressure for Smell and Taste

As traditional Chinese medicine techniques continue growing in popularity in Western cultures, some find acupuncture and acupressure help restore loss of taste and smell after COVID-19 through similar mechanisms as smell training - stimulating neurological pathways with tiny needles or physical pressure instead of odor molecules.

How Acupuncture May Work

Fine sterile needles inserted at specific pressure points around the ears, nose, forehead, neck and hands act as biological microstimulators for the central and peripheral nervous systems to activate and potentially heal damaged cranial nerves.

Twirling or heat applied to needles further enhances this nervestimulation. Possible effects include:

• Increased blood flow to regenerate injured nerves
• Release of endorphins for pain relief
• Regulated neurotransmitters to improve nerve functioning

Multiple treatments are usually needed, but restoring smell/taste through acupuncture avoids side effects of medications.

Acupressure Technique for Smell and Taste

Acupressure applies similar principles as acupuncture without needles, using fingers to apply targeted physical pressure to specific points on the skin’s surface connected to underlying nerves.

This tension activates touch receptors believed to stimulate cranial nerves involved in transmitting smell and taste signals. It may also boost blood circulation to damaged nerves.

A simple acupressure technique to try at home involves these steps:

1. Wash hands thoroughly
2. Use 2-3 fingers to apply firm even pressure to the center of the fleshy part under nose above upper lip
3. Hold for 1 full minute until feel tension dissipating
4. Repeat 2 more times, 3 times per day

Consistency is key when self-administering acupressure for several weeks to notice improvements. Effects tend to accumulate over time.

Choosing an Acupuncturist

When considering acupuncture to treat loss of taste and smell, see a licensed and reputably trained acupuncturist like one affiliated with the American Academy of Medical Acupuncture. A practitioner experienced in resolving post-viral smell/taste issues may offer greatest success.

Many physicians integrate acupuncture into holistic care plans, with neurologists, ENTs, allergists and rehabilitative medicine specialists often trained in medical acupuncture therapies.

When Smell and Taste Problems Persist

Research shows that while half of COVID-related smell and taste dysfunction resolves spontaneously within 6 months, recovery continues improving gradually thereafter. However, some proportion never fully regains these senses even after 2 years.

Adapting to Loss

If treatments prove ineffective long-term, adapting daily habits can help cope with permanent or persistent smell and taste loss. Useful tips include:

• Adding texture and spice diversity to foods
• Trying scent training with fragrances of personal importance
• Installing smoke/gas alarms and monitoring fridge food safety diligently
• Expressing feelings to loved ones about condition for emotional support

Occupational therapists can also help tailor unique approaches to make up for missing smell/taste cues, like pictorial meal planning guides.

Emerging Rehabilitative Options

Other more involved interventions possibly improving function include:

• Smell retraining orthonasal devices - Deliver controlled pulses of odors in very specific patterns personalized to an individual’s deficit to optimize neural recovery
• Near infrared light therapy - Exposure to varying wavelengths of light is thought to aid regeneration and inflammation reduction in damaged olfactory nerves
• Electrical nerve stimulation - Gentle zapping specific cranial nerves may wake up smell/taste pathways
• Repair stem cell therapy - Injecting one’s own cultured adult stem cells into nasal passages could restore injured cells, though still experimental

Scientists also work to better understand genetics and biological mechanisms behind smell/taste loss to develop next generation treatments for complete restoration.

Outlook

The potential clearly exists for numerous holistic, non-invasive, and medically restorative techniques to help regain loss of taste (ageusia) and smell (anosmia) stemming from COVID-19 infection.

From smell training, nasal steroids, supplements, acupuncture, and acupressure to emerging rehabilitative devices, research remains robust and hope persists for those suffering long-term effects like appetite, immunity, nutrition, and quality of life impacts from this frustrating condition. Consult an ENT specialist to explore options.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.