Will Body Aches from the Newest Covid-19 Variant impact your Chiropractic Results?

Let’s work together. Will body aches from the Newest Covid-19 Variant impact your chiropractic results? The last time you had Covid-19, it might have been like having a cold – fatigue, runny nose, sneezing and muscle aches. You might even have lost your taste and smell. What we are seeing now with the latest variant – which yes, can infect you again, even within three months – are similar but seem to include less impact on taste and smell and are more likely to include muscle aches. Do you have body aches? Along with the holiday’s “Tripledemic” jump of respiratory viruses – Covid-19, severe flu, and Respiratory Syncytial virus (RSV), here is some news about the newest Covid-19 XBB1.5 Variant and how it will – or will not – influence your results with chiropractic care.

What are variants and why are Covid-19 symptoms changing?

All viruses have the capability to spontaneously mutate to a variant. According to the WHO, the more the coronavirus circulates, the more opportunities it has to change. Alpha and Delta, the first two variations, more commonly triggered loss of smell and loss of taste, and had a higher rate of deep, severe respiratory distress. The first Omicron variant changed that slightly, but caused more cold-like symptoms – runny nose, sneezing, and muscle aches. All have included deep fatigue. This latest variation in Omicron appears to have less severe deep respiratory distress (in a healthy immune system) but all of the fatigue and muscle aches, cold and flu-like symptoms, and headaches. In fact, it might be present as only headaches or muscle aches.  

Testing, Testing, Testing – is this thing on?

We keep talking on the phone with symptomatic patients who are not yet testing. The test kits are useful and can be performed anywhere (while they can be taken immediately if you have any symptoms, you should wait 5 days after suspected exposure to someone else if you are not symptomatic). What this means is that if your spouse tests positive on Monday and you test the next day even without symptoms, the results might not be accurate.

It’s true, a home test kit can cost between $5 and $20, but with many insurance companies, and with the support of the Federal Government programs, a supply of tests for your entire family might be available for free, mailed directly to your home. The test kit we like best is currently the Flowflex Home Test

Can I get XBB.1.5 if I’m vaccinated and boosted?

According to the University of Colorado’s Anschutz Medical Campus, “Variants have a different capacity to evade prior immunity and also a different capacity to bind to the main target on human cells”. It turns out that XBB.1.5 is a combination (hybrid) of the last two BA.2 Omicron subvariants and has a higher ability to evade previous Covid-19 antibodies in a healthy immune system. This new virus variant can also bind more effectively to cells and infect them.

Are the other variations still out there? Why do I have shortness of breath?

The reality is that all of the variants are still available to you; however, the latest variant is the dominant infection and, especially in a populated area, you might be more expected to see the latest. At the same time, experts have suggested you can become infected with two variants of Covid at the same time. At least, with COvid-19 XBB.1.5, centers are seeing only rare needs for supplemental oxygen.

Why should I get a booster shot if I could get Covid-19 again anyway?

While you are hearing that this latest variation is potentially less severe, an important feature is that it is likely to be less severe when it impacts a strong immune system, including one which already may have some level of immunity. A target immune system, or an immune system with some compromise, might have a more severe reaction. Remember, the vaccinations are not expected to completely prevent you from becoming infected, but instead to prevent you from developing a more severe form of the disease’s syndromic presentation.

Does Covid-19 impact your chiropractic care at Blue Heron?

Call us to request an appointment. Will body aches from the Newest Covid-19 Variant impact your chiropractic results? The muscle aches with Covid-19 are more likely to be systemic (full-body) rather than regional (limited to a single body area, like one side of your back or neck). While of course one impact of a positive test might be on scheduling – we might have to push a session off a week in order to allow you to test negative – the only other impact is that we may use gentler and more gradual treatments initially. With Covid-19, by all expectations, your strength and vitality level might be lower for a while. Read about the possibilities of extended or “Long Covid” here. We are going to suggest that you have at least advised your medical doctor that you have Covid. Depending on your chart, they know if available treatments would be applicable. Some people have problems with their lungs, heart, or thinking after the initial illness is over. We encourage patients to talk to their primary care doctor about how they might want to monitor after the first part of your COVID-19 illness.

 If you don’t have a primary care doctor, we can help support you to call 2-1-1 for help finding one. In the meantime, we can support your health from a chiropractic perspective, and will do our best to continue treating your neuromusculoskeleal condition (our specialty) using chiropractic orthopedics.

How is Blue Heron handling the COVID-19 Pandemic at this time?

Doctor Sibilla and all staff you will encounter are fully vaccinated with updated boosters. Dr.  Dana’s on his fifth shot to date, updating after 90 days for optimum immunity. We are still currently masking inside the clinic, as is required for all healthcare facilities. If you don’t have an appropriate mask, we will provide you with one. Access Chiropractic safely and securely at Blue Heron Chiropractic & Healing Arts Center, with Dr. Dana Sibilla, DC DABCO FIANM.