The Role of Acupuncture in Restoring Endocrine Balance Post-COVID
Welcome back to Dr. Ark's Healing Tribe!
Today, I'm back to continue the discussion on the sequelae of Post-COVID or Long COVID syndrome.
Long COVID is a condition that continues to puzzle both patients and clinicians. Many people who have recovered from the initial infection find themselves struggling with persistent fatigue, brain fog, mood swings, irregular menstrual cycles, headaches, and overall diminished quality of life.
Recent studies suggest that one of the hidden drivers of Long COVID may lie in hormonal imbalances connected to the hypothalamic-pituitary system — the brain's central command for regulating stress, energy, reproduction, and growth.
The pituitary gland releases four stimulating hormones that trigger the adrenal glands, thyroid, and ovaries to release their specific hormones. Doctors are finding that Long COVID can disrupt multiple hormonal pathways:
Adrenal Stress Hormones - Some patients show signs of weakened adrenal function, leading to morning fatigue and afternoon crashes, or an inability to handle stress the way they used to.
Reduction of Reproductive Hormones such as testosterone and estrogen, where women notice their cycles becoming irregular or heavier, while men and women alike may experience low libido, mood swings, or unexplained fatigue. Research suggests this may be tied to Post-COVID hypogonadism, or reduced sex hormone activity.
Subtle thyroid changes may contribute to ongoing tiredness, sensitivity to cold, or difficulty losing weight — even when blood tests appear mostly "normal." In my practice, I have seen many instances in which hormone replacement doses needed to be altered.
Growth hormone deficiency causes patients to experience slower muscle recovery, loss of strength, or increased joint aches, possibly linked to a weakened hypothalamic-pituitary-growth hormone pathway.
These findings suggest a pituitary-centered disturbance that may explain why Long COVID affects a wide range of body systems.
In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), these hormonal imbalances reflect disharmony in the body's internal regulation systems — often involving the Kidney, Liver and Spleen networks. Acupuncture provides a holistic approach to restoring balance and equilibrium. Different acupuncture modalities suggest specific treatments to improve the function of the Endocrine system.
As I have found in my practice, the adrenal technique of Kiiko Matsumoto's style of acupuncture (Japanese acupuncture) is exceptionally effective. Acupuncture has long been used for menstrual irregularities, premenstrual symptoms, low libido, headache, and fatigue — concerns that overlap with post-COVID hypogonadism. Restoring the balance of the hypothalamic-pituitary axis by improving circulation and balancing Qi flow, acupuncture may enhance thyroid function, promote overall metabolic stability, and stimulate the body's innate healing capacity. Acupuncture may also help with tissue repair, improved sleep, and increased muscle strength — areas commonly affected by growth hormone deficiency.
And finally, this discussion highlights the crucial role of the Liver in hormone metabolism. As you all know, the essential part of hormonal balance relies on proper metabolism and excretion that occurs in the Liver. As I mentioned before in my previous blogs, I use a specific massage technique and supplements that can improve the metabolic processes in the Liver.
From my hands to your healing,
— Dr. Ark
