Multisystem Biological Mechanisms in Long COVID and Chronic Stress–Related Disorders

From the Author

In many articles I have written previously, I have called on my colleagues to understand that although the science of massage is rooted in and originates from general biomedical science, it has evolved specifically for the clinical application of therapies through massage.

For us, a treatment that is not truly successful is not a sustainable outcome of the treatment.. In practical terms, this means that if, within less than 30 days without treatment, a client begins to experience the same symptoms as before the intervention, the treatment cannot be considered effective.

In cases of chronic stress–related disorders and Long COVID, we are addressing a cascade of pathological developments. With each treatment, the goal is to increase the threshold of irritability within the affected regulatory systems.

In Part One of my webinar, I discussed irritability at the level of the hypothalamus, as well as the threshold sensitivity of baroreceptors within the carotid arteries. We view autonomic dysregulation as a key biomarker of these disorders. For us, achieving autonomic balance requires addressing all factors that contribute to brain dysfunction in cases of chronic stress and Long COVID.

Why Most Long COVID Medications Are Not Fully Successful in Targeting Mitochondrial Dysfunction and Autonomic Regulation

In patients with Long COVID, symptoms such as fatigue, brain fog, orthostatic intolerance, and sleep disorders etc.,appear unrelated at first glance. However, many of these manifestations converge on two central physiological disturbances:

1. Mitochondrial metabolic dysfunction
2. Dysregulation of the autonomic nervous system

Interestingly, many medications currently prescribed for Long COVID do not directly target the virus

As I have often mentioned in my previous writings on chronic stress–related disorders and Long COVID, the persistent symptoms observed in these conditions do not appear to arise from a single disease process. Rather, they result from interacting biological mechanisms that simultaneously affect the nervous system, immune system, and cellular metabolism.

In order to be effective in treatment, we must look at these disorders through the lens of systems biology, where dysregulation in one physiological domain propagates through interconnected regulatory networks

Medications

This is one of the reasons why medications prescribed for Long COVID often do not fully resolve symptoms. The most common medications prescribed in cases of Long COVID and chronic stress–related disorders include:

• Naltrexone
• Beta-blockers
• Ivabradine
• Mast cell stabilizers / antihistamines
• Medications for orthostatic hypotension
• Stimulant-type medications for severe fatigue
• Antidepressants (for autonomic and neurochemical regulation)

If all of these medications were prescribed simultaneously—which I believe almost never happens—patients might not tolerate the cumulative side effects. These can include:

• drowsiness or fatigue
• dry mouth
• headache
• gastrointestinal discomfort
• scalp tingling or itching
• elevated blood pressure while lying down
• goosebumps
• urinary retention
• fluid retention
• swelling of legs or ankles
• low potassium levels
• visual brightness or light flashes (phosphenes)
• dizziness
• bradycardia
• anxiety or nervousness
• insomnia
• increased heart rate
• decreased appetite
• nausea
• sexual dysfunction
• mild weight changes
• emotional blunting

Interestingly, many of these side effects closely resemble the symptoms of Long COVID and chronic stress–related disorders themselves.

Please do not misunderstand me. I am not against the use of these medications in cases of Long COVID and chronic stress–related disorders. However, in my opinion they should be integrated with medical massage protocols, because—as I describe in my articles linked below—we are addressing several physiological mechanisms simultaneously:

• tension within muscles and fascia
• acceleration of CSF and venous blood drainage
• reduction of intracranial pressure
• increase of arterial blood perfusion
• stimulation of new mitochondria
• release of acetylcholine

Together, these mechanisms comprehensively address:

• autonomic nervous system dysregulation
• neuroinflammation
• microvascular circulation abnormalities
• mitochondrial metabolic dysfunction

Clinical Protocol and Webinar Training

Those who attended my first webinar on medical massage for Long COVID and chronic stress–related disorders learned that during the first treatments it is important to begin with introductory special techniques designed to increase the patient’s threshold of pain.

If we immediately apply even moderate pressure, we may trigger a protective muscular spasm, which prevents us from reaching the desired therapeutic effect.

After increasing the pain threshold through these introductory techniques, we then proceed with techniques designed to release tension within the fascia and muscles, using more intensive methods.

During the webinar, additionally to acceleration of cerebrospinal fluid drainage techniques, abdominal massage, acupressure for tension headaches , and more ,I also demonstrated:

• techniques to release acetylcholine
• special techniques designed to stimulate the formation of new mitochondria

You saw me perform friction techniques and Petrissage #7, using gentle to moderate pressure with the knuckles.

Because we are addressing very complex clinical cases, treatment plans are adapted over time as the patient responds. However, I also explained that even when we begin to see improvement after approximately five to six treatments, we do not change the overall sequence of the treatment plan that I presented.

As I emphasized during the webinar, it is extremely important to learn full-body techniques designed to release acetylcholine and stimulate mitochondrial activity.

Typically, after approximately 15 treatments, we begin introducing several full-body sessions specifically designed to stimulate acetylcholine release and mitochondrial activation.

My next soon coming webinar will be fully dedicated to:

• the theoretical explanation
• and hands-on demonstrations

of full-body techniques for acetylcholine release and stimulation of new mitochondria.

Importance of Microcirculation

During the first treatments we are already achieving clinical improvements because of the mechanisms described in my articles. These include—but are not limited to—the effects of acetylcholine release techniques and stimulation of mitochondrial activity.

Each modality contributes to the overall therapeutic effect. However, acetylcholine release techniques and stimulation of mitochondrial activity play a particularly important role in healing and repairing damaged small blood vessels.

The restoration of normal microcirculation represents a critical plateau in the healing process.

For this reason, I strongly recommend that participants interested in learning acetylcholine release techniques and mitochondrial stimulation techniques first complete the fundamental Part 1 webinar before enrolling in Part 2.

These webinars should be viewed as components of a comprehensive medical massage program for Long COVID and chronic stress–related disorders.

Connection to Pre-Event Sports Massage

An interesting story relates to the early months of the COVID pandemic in 2020. At that time, very little was known about the virus. During autopsies, physicians discovered damage to small blood vessels in the lungs.

Shortly afterward, on June 19, 2020, I wrote an article titled:

“Pre-Event Sports Massage Against COVID-19.”

I will include the link below.

The goal of a 30-minute pre-event sports massage is specifically to stimulate the release of acetylcholine neurotransmitters and improve physiological readiness.

In sports performance this improves athletic output. However, in cases involving damaged microvasculature, these physiological responses can also:

• improve blood fluidity
• reduce blood viscosity
• accelerate healing of small blood vessels
• increase capillary passage time
• restore microcirculation

Restoring microcirculation means restoring adequate blood supply to all organs and systems, especially the brain. It is impossible to overestimate the importance of this process.

By the way, dear colleagues, what you will learn during Part 2 of the webinar can also be applied as pre-event sports massage techniques. You can also follow the link to my video lessons on pre-event and post-event sports massage.

https://www.medicalmassage-edu.com/products/ceu-volume-7.htm

Public Health Perspective

Returning to our main subject, the statistics are alarming.

It is estimated that 75–90% of physician visits are related to stress-related disorders.

Hundreds of millions of Americans who have been infected with the COVID virus may be at increased risk of developing different forms of dementia in the future.

The protocols I am presenting may also serve as preventive therapy.

Why are these individuals at increased risk of dementia?

The short answer is that patients suffering from chronic stress–related disorders and Long COVID often share the same underlying mechanisms, including:

• autonomic dysregulation
• microvascular dysfunction
• mitochondrial metabolic impairment
• chronic neuroinflammation

These mechanisms are also strongly associated with neurodegenerative diseases.

In my articles I provide links to scientific references. I encourage readers to explore those sources in order to appreciate the enormous scale of this emerging public health problem.

Clinical Experience

Knowledge and clinical capability can make a significant difference in the lives of millions of patients.

Over the past four years, I successfully have addressed 100s of chronic stress-related cases During last six-month period alone, I treated few dozens Long COVID patients, providing an average of 12 procedures per patient, with excellent outcomes and high levels of patient satisfaction ,

Helping people restore their health and regain their lives remains the ultimate goal of this work.

Upcoming Webinars

Future webinars after March 22 will be available on demand.

Please use the link provided below for additional information and registration.

https://www.medicalmassage-edu.com/products/long-covid-chronic-stress-related-disorders.htm

I look forward to working together with colleagues to address Long COVID and chronic stress–related disorders through this comprehensive medical massage program.

My upcoming articles will focus specifically on:

• acetylcholine release techniques
• stimulation of new mitochondria

https://www.medicalmassage-edu.com/blog/long-covid-chronic-stress-one-source-one-massage-protocol.htm

Best wishes.