Long COVID, stress, mast cell activation syndrome, and finding relief with The Reaset Approach22/8/2024
As a therapist dedicated to helping people navigate the challenges of both body and mind, I’m always exploring new ways to better understand and treat the complex issues my patients face. In recent years, one such issue that has become a major focus is long COVID-19. While I’ve developed a solid understanding of this condition, a recent video by Dr. Denef, a local doctor here in Brussels who herself battled long COVID, offered me a fresh perspective. Dr. Denef has since dedicated her practice to helping others who are struggling with this debilitating illness.
In her video, Dr. Denef mentioned Mast Cell Activation Syndrome (MCAS), a term that, I like Dr Denef (see video) wasn't familiar with. I was immediately prompted to delve deeper into this condition and how it might connect to stress—an area I’m deeply passionate about and one that plays a critical role in my work. What is Mast Cell Activation Syndrome (MCAS)? MCAS is a condition where certain immune cells in your body, known as mast cells, become overly sensitive and release too many inflammatory substances like histamine and cytokines. These cells are found throughout your body—in the skin, lungs, and digestive system, among other places. When they become overactive, they can cause a variety of symptoms, including skin rashes, digestive problems, heart palpitations, and breathing difficulties. In the context of long COVID-19, MCAS has attracted attention because its symptoms can be very similar to those many of you may be experiencing, such as extreme fatigue, brain fog, and persistent pain. Dr. Denef’s video highlighted how long COVID-19 might actually make MCAS worse or even trigger it in some people, leading to a complex set of symptoms that can be tough to manage. The Link Between MCAS, Stress, and Long COVID-19 As someone who has worked extensively with stress, I found the possible connection between MCAS and stress in long COVID-19 particularly compelling. Stress isn’t just something that happens in your mind—it has powerful effects on your entire body. When you’re stressed, your body’s stress response kicks in, involving both your nervous system and your hormone-producing glands. This process releases a.o. cortisol and other stress hormones, which can actually make your mast cells more active, potentially worsening MCAS. For those of you dealing with long COVID-19, the ongoing stress of coping with these lingering and debilitating symptoms, combined with how the virus affects your immune system, can create a vicious cycle. Stress makes MCAS worse, which in turn worsens your long COVID-19 symptoms, leading to even more stress—a cycle that can feel impossible to break. How The Reaset Approach Can Help Understanding the connection between MCAS, stress, and long COVID-19 is crucial, especially since long COVID is also linked with what is referred to as dysautonomia. Dysautonomia is a dysfunction of the autonomic nervous system, where your stress response doesn’t switch off. As a consequence, mast cells are likely to remain active, and therefore, any treatment aimed at alleviating these symptoms might fail to have the desired effect. This is where The Reaset Approach, a method I’ve developed over nearly 20 years, can make a real difference. The Reaset Approach is designed to help reaset your body’s stress response through an integral body-centred hands-on treatment. By addressing the root causes of stress and helping your body find a new balance, we can reduce the overactivity of mast cells and ease other stress-related symptoms. For instance, if you’re dealing with dysautonomia and MCAS as part of your long COVID-19 experience, The Reaset Approach can help calm your nervous system, lower the levels of stress hormones in your body, and support your natural healing processes. This approach is about more than just managing symptoms—it’s about empowering you to take control of your health and wellbeing. Conclusion If you’re struggling with long COVID-19, especially if you’re experiencing symptoms of MCAS or dysautonomia, it’s crucial to address not just the symptoms but the underlying causes. Dr. Denef’s insights into MCAS have deepened my understanding of how these conditions are interconnected with stress and how they can perpetuate each other. Long COVID-19, health, and healing are complex, but together we can make a difference by offering a more integrated strategy to support your recovery. My role in that process, through The Reaset Approach, is to reset your body’s stress response by addressing the root causes that might be keeping you trapped in a cycle of discomfort and illness. This includes calming your autonomic nervous system and regulating hormonal and vascular processes in both the body and brain, which in turn will positively affect the physical aspects of long COVID-19—such as headaches, muscular and digestive disorders, brain fog, dizziness, cardiovascular problems, temperature dysregulation, cognitive delays, and mental and behavioural symptoms like irritability—and reduce stress-related inflammation. If you’re ready to explore a holistic approach to managing your long COVID-19 symptoms, I’m here to guide you on your journey to recovery and resilience. |
AuthorTom Meyers, is an osteopath, body-centred stress coach, wellbeing futurist, space enthusiast, TEDx organiser and author of “Futurize Yourself” and “The Futures Effect”. Adress
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