Unwanted Viral Post

Whether or not you have been infected with coronavirus during the past 12 months you may be suffering what is also known as Post Viral Symptoms which occur episodically and repeatedly with a distinct pattern to them.

Episodic patterns in post viral symptoms are inevitable because after all, patterns are an intrinsic part of nature and all life on earth. Our genetic make-up and DNA fingerprint mean that we will all have an individually wrapped designated response to any viral infection and that the manner of our recovery will be equally as distinctive.

The various range of symptoms can include some or all of the following:

  • Constantly feeling nauseous with a lack of appetite
  • IBS symptoms such as diarrhoea, bloating, abdominal pain and discomfort
  • Suffering persistent headaches
  • Low energy levels, fluctuating fatigue and feeling utterly exhausted with no explanation
  • Breathlessness (unexplained or when carrying out daily tasks)
  • Increased anxiety and mood swings
  • Soreness in muscles and joints
  • Experiencing heart palpitations, especially when resting
  • Brain ‘fog’ which manifests itself in frequent memory lapses or an inability to comprehend or communicate effectively

Post viral symptoms can be very frustrating and hard to accept, especially when you are having to cope with a dramatic drop in your aptitude and fitness levels. Like energy, post viral symptomatic episodes also exhibit a three phase pattern:

  • Phase One: The symptoms start to (re)appear, often with one predominant symptom and they begin to increase in severity.
  • Phase two: This is the peak of the episode, the heightened state of symptomatic activity that can leave you incapacitated.
  • Phase three: The symptoms recede and you start to feel well and able to cope with life again.

Each of these phases can have a variable duration and because we start to recognise the pattern, we also associate emotions with the phases, for example, fear and dread with the first phase, depression and grief with the second phase and joy and relief with the third phase.

So, here are three exercises that you might find helpful when struggling to cope with the symptoms of post viral fatigue:

Harnessing Energy Breathing Technique

This refers to the dynamic breathing method where air is compressed as it enters the lungs. This slow, controlled, expansive breathing technique can help manage breathlessness and increased anxiety. It can also help manage the discomfort associated with nausea and headaches, especially if you rub tiger balm on your temples or inhale the aroma of peppermint oil from an essential oil burner.

Taking a Bath

A warm, relaxing bath helps to soothe aching or sore muscles and joints, especially if you sprinkle some magnesium salts into the water beforehand. You could also blend a few drops of Lavender essential oil with one drop each of May Chang and Geranium essential oils to assist with balancing and uplifting low and unstable moods.

Abdominal MLD Massage

You don’t need oil for this technique as it works best with skin on skin. Keeping you hands relaxed, place the palms on your abdomen with the fingers angled towards the pelvis. You want to apply just enough pressure through the hands so that you can easily move the skin of the abdomen over the underlying tissues. The hands are going to start moving the skin of the abdomen in large stationary clockwise circles, meaning that the direction starts from the right hip bone, draws the skin upwards towards the right side of the ribcage then across to the left side of the ribcage and then downwards towards the left hip bone. You can vary the size of the circles but keep the movement slow and rhythmic. To finish, let the palms of your hands move freely over the surface of your abdomen, without moving the skin and in soothing circles. This massage technique will help to stimulate the lymphatic system whilst soothing away any reoccurring pain or discomfort coming from a compromised digestive system.

Finally, please remember that if you feel that your health has been affected by covid19 or any other virus and the symptoms continue for any length of time, you should contact your registered health practitioner.