Osteopathic Care, PLC

Your Osteopathic Care

Katherine Heineman DO

COVID-19 and Osteopathy

The goal of any osteopathic treatment is to support the most efficient and effective path of healing for the patient. As such, osteopathic treatment can be very helpful in fighting infection. During the influenza pandemic of 1918, the death rate among infected patients was 5-6% for conventional medical treatment only. In contrast, for patients treated with conventional medical treatment and osteopathic treatment, the death rate was only 0.25%.

How can I support my body’s immune system to help remain healthy during the COVID-19 pandemic? 

As we work through this pandemic together globally, we continue to uncover new information. There are currently few large-scale studies on how various medications or supplements specifically impact infection with COVID-19. Nonetheless, past studies on other viral infections suggest that certain supplements may act as preventive measures to help decrease the severity and/or shorten the duration of a COVID-19 illness. These preventive measures are intended to help increase your body’s resistance to the virus. These recommendations are not meant as the only form of treatment for COVID-19, and should you find your symptoms worsen significantly, be sure to contact your primary care physician. As with appropriate physical distancing, hand washing, and mask wearing, these recommendations do not guarantee that you will not become infected with COVID-19; however, they may make it less likely for you to contract the virus and may help you recover more quickly, should you become infected.

The following are well-proven lifestyle factors that are known to impact immunity:

  • Sleep
    • Aim for 7-8 hours of quality sleep
    • Sleep in a cool, dark, quiet environment
    • Turn off Wi-Fi at night
    • Limit exposure to blue light (screens), especially 1 hour before bed
  • Diet
    • Eat whole, unprocessed foods, organic when possible
    • Increase colorful and green vegetables
    • Eat high-quality animal (pastured, organic) or plant protein
    • Drink plenty of purified water
    • Limit sugar and processed foods
  • Rest/Restore
    • Daily, restorative activity of your pleasing (music, journal, read, dance)
    • Spiritual practice (meditation, prayer, breathing)
    • Spend time outdoors, preferably in nature
    • Give and receive affection daily
    • Feel gratitude on a daily basis
  • Exercise regularly
    • Move your body however you enjoy
    • Mix it up with aerobic and strengthening activities
    • Include outdoor activities as much as you are able
  • Immune support
    • Vitamin C (1,000-2000 mg daily)
    • Zinc (30 mg daily)
    • Vitamin D3 (2,000-5,000 IU daily)
    • Elderberry extract
    • Other supplements with immune-boosting potential include astragalus, garlic, curcumin, and echinacea
    • Osteopathic treatment to support lymphatics, circulation and breathing

How can I support my body in the event that I am exposed to COVID-19? 

The links below offer options for osteopathic self-treatment or options for treatments that can be performed by family members or other support persons: