Beyond the Fog: A Deep Dive into the Science of Long COVID and a New Path to Recovery
By Dr. Stefano Sinicropi, Founder of HyperCharge Health
Disclaimer: This blog is for informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. The treatments described should only be considered after a consultation and under the direct supervision of a qualified medical expert.
The Silent Epidemic After the Pandemic
If you are one of the millions of Americans struggling with the persistent, debilitating symptoms of Post-COVID Syndrome (Long COVID), I want to start by saying two things: you are not alone, and your symptoms are real. The profound fatigue that doesn't improve with rest, the debilitating brain fog that clouds your thinking, the shortness of breath, the strange neurological sensations—these are not "in your head." They are the tangible results of a complex, systemic dysfunction triggered by the initial viral infection.
This is the silent epidemic that has followed the pandemic. According to the CDC, nearly one in five American adults who have had COVID-19 report having symptoms of Long COVID [1]. That's tens of millions of people whose lives have been fundamentally altered. For too long, the standard medical approach has been to manage individual symptoms, leaving patients feeling dismissed, frustrated, and without a clear path forward. At HyperCharge Health in Edina, MN, we see things differently. We recognize Long COVID as a systemic illness with identifiable root causes, and we have developed comprehensive, evidence-based protocols to address them.
The Science of Long COVID: Unraveling the Root Causes
To effectively treat Long COVID, we must first understand what is happening inside the body. It is not simply a "lingering cough." The latest research points to a multi-system breakdown driven by several interconnected pathologies:
Persistent, Systemic Inflammation: The initial "cytokine storm" of the acute infection may be over, but for many, it's been replaced by a low-grade, smoldering fire of chronic inflammation. This inflammation damages tissues, disrupts communication between cells, and prevents the body from returning to a state of balance [2].
Profound Mitochondrial Dysfunction: COVID-19 appears to launch a direct assault on our mitochondria—the tiny powerhouses inside our cells. This results in a severe "energy crisis." Your cells simply do not have the energy to function properly, let alone heal. This is the biological reality behind the bone-deep fatigue and post-exertional malaise (PEM) that is a hallmark of the condition [3].
Immune Dysregulation and Viral Persistence: In some individuals, the immune system remains in a state of high alert long after the virus is gone, sometimes leading to autoimmune-like responses. There is also growing evidence that fragments of the virus may persist in tissues, acting as a constant trigger for this immune dysregulation [4].
Microclots and Endothelial Dysfunction: Research has revealed that many Long COVID patients have persistent microclots in their circulatory system. These tiny clots can block capillaries and, along with damage to the lining of the blood vessels (the endothelium), severely impair oxygen delivery to tissues throughout the body—especially the brain [5]. This state of cellular hypoxia is a key driver of both brain fog and fatigue.
The HyperCharge Solution: A Multi-Modal, Evidence-Based Strategy
Recovering from Long COVID requires a strategy as multifaceted as the condition itself. Our "systems, not symptoms" philosophy is designed to attack the root causes from every angle, using a suite of the world's most advanced technologies.
Step 1: The Comprehensive Diagnostic Evaluation
Our process begins with a deep diagnostic dive to understand your unique case. This includes advanced lab analysis of inflammatory markers (hs-CRP, cytokine panels), clotting factors, and assessments of mitochondrial and immune function. This data provides the roadmap for your personalized protocol and allows us to track your progress objectively.
Step 2: Whole-Body Healing Protocols
This phase is focused on extinguishing the systemic fire and restarting your cellular engines.
Photobiomodulation (PBM): Evidence-Based Cellular Recovery PBM is a cornerstone of our Long COVID protocol because it directly targets the core pathologies. A pivotal review in the Journal of Personalized Medicine concluded that PBM is a highly promising treatment due to its well-established ability to reduce inflammation, combat oxidative stress, and improve mitochondrial function [6]. This is supported by a case series in Laser Therapy, where Long COVID patients treated with PBM reported significant improvements in fatigue and "brain fog" [7].
The Sigman Protocol for Lung Recovery: For patients with persistent shortness of breath, we utilize an advanced protocol pioneered by Dr. Scott Sigman. Using a high-powered, non-invasive Multiwave Locked System (MLS) Class 4 Laser over the lung fields, we can penetrate deep into the lung tissue to reduce local inflammation and address scarring (fibrosis). As documented in Dr. Sigman's published case reports, this therapy has led to rapid clinical improvements in oxygenation and inflammatory markers, offering hope for restoring pulmonary function [8, 9].
Green Light Therapy: For the pain and fatigue common in post-viral syndromes, we may also use Green Light Therapy, which has been shown in studies on fibromyalgia to calm over-sensitized neurons and modulate pain-processing centers in the brain.
Advanced Oxygen Therapy (EWOT) A state of persistent cellular hypoxia (lack of oxygen) may be a key driver of Long COVID. EWOT super-saturates the blood with oxygen, forcing it into oxygen-starved tissues. The power of this approach was validated by a randomized controlled trial in Scientific Reports, which showed that a course of hyperbaric oxygen therapy significantly improved cognitive, psychiatric, and fatigue symptoms in Long COVID patients [10].
Pulsed Electromagnetic Field (PEMF) Therapy PEMF works on multiple levels relevant to Long COVID. It improves microcirculation, helps to reduce systemic inflammation, and can support nerve repair for the common symptom of peripheral neuropathy.
Step 3: Targeted Cognitive & Neurological Recovery
This phase directly addresses the debilitating "brain fog," memory loss, and other neurological symptoms.
Transcranial (Brain) Therapies:
Transcranial Photobiomodulation (tPBM): We apply near-infrared light to the scalp to penetrate the skull, directly improving mitochondrial function and reducing neuroinflammation within brain cells.
Exomind Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS): For the heavy burden of depression and anxiety that often accompanies Long COVID, TMS is an FDA-cleared therapy that uses magnetic pulses to re-regulate the neural circuits that govern mood.
The Neuro20 Suit: Reconnecting the Brain and Body Long COVID often leads to severe deconditioning. The Neuro20 suit uses electrical stimulation to safely activate up to 42 muscle groups, helping to rebuild strength and re-establish the brain-body connection. This intense muscular activation has been shown to significantly increase the production of Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF), a key molecule for neuroplasticity and cognitive function.
Advanced Peptide Stacks: We use specific signaling molecules (peptides) to provide targeted support. Cognitive peptides like Semax can be used to increase BDNF, while the calming peptide Selank can be highly effective for the anxiety component.
Your Path to Recovery Starts Here
Recovering from Post-COVID Syndrome is a journey, and you do not have to walk it alone. Long COVID is a complex, multi-system disease that requires a comprehensive, science-based, and compassionate approach. Our team at HyperCharge Health in Edina is here to listen, to validate your experience, and to provide you with a personalized plan to help you get your life back.
If you are ready to move beyond managing symptoms and start a true recovery, contact HyperCharge Health today to schedule your Post-COVID Discovery Consult.
References
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). (2022). Nearly One in Five American Adults Who Have Had COVID-19 Still Have “Long COVID”. National Center for Health Statistics.
Crook, H., et al. (2021). Long covid—mechanisms, risk factors, and management. BMJ, 374, n1648.
Saleh, J., et al. (2020). The emerging role of SARS-CoV-2 in mitochondrial dysfunction. Mitochondrion, 54, 1–4.
Phetsouphanh, C., et al. (2022). Immunological dysfunction persists for 8 months following initial mild-to-moderate SARS-CoV-2 infection. Nature Immunology, 23(2), 210–216.
Pretorius, E., et al. (2021). Persistent clotting protein pathology in Long COVID/Post-Acute Sequelae of COVID-19 (PASC) is associated with elevated levels of alpha-2-antiplasmin. Cardiovascular Diabetology, 20(1), 172.
Salehpour, F., et al. (2022). Photobiomodulation for "Long COVID": A new potential treatment for a new disease. Journal of Personalized Medicine, 12(10), 1589.
Morrow, J., & Roach, R. (2022). Photobiomodulation for the management of long-COVID symptoms: A case series. Laser Therapy, 31(2), 79-85.
Sigman, S. A., et al. (2020). A 57-Year-Old African American Man with Severe COVID-19 Pneumonia Who Responded to Supportive Photobiomodulation Therapy (PBMT): First Use of PBMT in COVID-19. The American Journal of Case Reports, 21, e925923-1.
Sigman, S., et al. (2020). Adjunct Low Level Laser Therapy (LLLT) in a Morbidly Obese Patient with Severe COVID-19 Pneumonia: A Case Report. Canadian Journal of Respiratory Therapy, 56, 99-102.
Zilberman-Itskovich, S., et al. (2022). Hyperbaric oxygen therapy improves neurocognitive functions and symptoms of post-COVID condition: a randomized controlled trial. Scientific Reports, 12(1), 11252.