Conceptualizing a Traditional Chinese Medicine and Pathology of Arousal Diagnostic and Pathophysiological Framework for Postacute Sequelae of COVID-19

INTRODUCTION: The postacute sequelae of COVID-19 (PASC) is a serious heterogeneous condition that affects a significant minority of those who endured COVID-19. PASC involves multiple body systems and an illness trajectory that has stages now being identified in medical research. OBJECTIVE: Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and acupuncture are well suited to conceptualize and treat PASC and other postviral conditions. No description of TCM theory and its relationship with modern medical theory about PASC and its illness trajectory currently exists. CONCLUSION: The authors provide an overview of the potential value of TCM for conceptualizing and treating PASC with a few examples and clarify directions for research.