The Aftercare of COVID-19 Infection

---- Herbs, Acupuncture, Exercise and Nutrition

© 2021 Yifan Yang

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The view of traditional Chinese medicine in the pathology
of COVID-19 infection

Understand the symptoms after COVID-19 infection

from the point of view of TCM

Dyspnea
• Disturbance of the Lung-Qi.
- Accumulation of phlegm
- Lung-Qi and Yin deficiency
- Blood stagnation.

• Weakness of the Kidney-Qi.

- Obstruction of the Lung-Qi and Kidney-Qi

• Disturbed blood circulation and damage of the Heart.

• The Liver-Qi stagnation.

Cough, and remains of phlegm and fluid in the Lung

• The slow transportation and transformation of the weakened Spleen-Qi.
• The slow steaming process of the weakened Kidney-Yang.

Fatigue
• The obstruction of the Lung-Qi and Spleen-Qi.
• The deficiency of Spleen-Qi and Lung-Qi.
• Stagnation of the Liver-Qi.

Since fatigue is often a personal sensation, a clear differentiation of syndromes could be

quickly made through pulse diagnosis. It can also avoid long inquiring process and make
work more efficient.
• A weak, or thready and weak pulse on the Lung position indicate the deficiency of
Lung-Qi as well as Lung-Yin.
• A weak, thready and rapid pulse indicates that the weakened Lung-Qi puts its effort
to compensate its weakened function.
• A wiry and forceful pulse especially on the Lung, Liver and Spleen positions
indicate a pronounced stress which can consume the Qi and make the Qi disturbed
and stagnant.
• A weak and thready pulse detected on Heart and Lung positions but a reasonable full
and strong pulse on the Spleen and Liver positions indicate the Qi blockage between

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 the Upper-Jiao and Middle-Jiao. In this condition the patient is suffering from
depressive mood from frustration.

Poor digestion
• Weakened Spleen-Qi and Stomach-Qi during the COVID-19 infection without normal
eating in ICU.
• Disturbance the function of Spleen by the exterior pathogenic factors, the COVID-19.

Weakness of the muscles

• Spleen-Qi and Stomach-Qi are weakened dramatically in ICU.
• The stagnation of the Qi and blood and deficiency.

Pain
• The damage of internal organs and structures of the body.
• The stagnation of the blood and Qi.
• The dampness restrains the Qi movement.

Decreased senses of smell and taste, parosmia

• A sudden blockage, probably the dampness, which can accumulate for a long period
of time in the body especially the facial region related to the Lung, the Stomach and
the Large Intestine meridians. Eventually patients will regain the senses of smell and
taste.
• The permanent loss of senses of smell and taste and parosmia indicate blood
stagnation.

Long duration unwell after COVID-19 infection

• An exterior syndrome is not released.
• The pathogenic factor remains in Shao-Yang region.
• The pathogenic heat remains and smolders in the Yin region.
• The dampness restrains the Qi movement and keeps the pathogenic factor inside the
body.
• The internal organs are too weak to eliminate pathogenic factors.

The understanding of cognitive and emotional suffering

Sadness
In many mental disorders, sadness often exists, and it is often accompanied by tiredness, and
a reluctance to speak and to move.
• Sadness is primarily recognized as the disturbance of the function of the Lung.
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 • Sadness can also arise if the Kidney is weak. In this case, the person loses the goal
and meaning in life, such as in many elderly people; it also happens when people
have no goal and motivation in life, such as in those who are addicted to drugs or
alcohol instead of facing the reality of life.

Frustration, anger and resentment

• The Liver-Qi stagnation.
• Yin deficiency with empty heat in Liver and Kidney.

Anxiety
• The stagnation of the Liver-Qi and disturbance of the Heart-Shen.
• Flaring up of the Heart-fire and the Liver-fire.
• The deficiency of the Kidney-Qi.
• Deficiency of blood and Yin of the internal organs.

Syndrome differentiation and treatment

1. Dampness in the Upper-Jiao and the Middle-Jiao

Manifestations
After COVID-19 infection, recurrently having a sensation of getting a cold such as mild
chill, mild fever, headache with heavy sensation, general pain and heaviness of the body,
cough with white sputum. Presence of the digestive symptoms such as fullness in the chest
and stomach, sticky sensation in the mouth, reduced appetite, nausea, soft stools or diarrhea.
Presence of the mental and neurological disorders such as poor concentration, indifferent
appearance, slow mental reaction, dizziness, restlessness and mental confusion.
Tongue: thin or thick, sticky and white coating.
Pulse: soft; or slippery.

Explanation of the syndrome

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Management principle: Disperse and transform dampness, regulate
the water passage

Herbs
Huo Xiang (Herba Agastachis seu Pogostemonis) 6g
Sheng Jiang (Rhizoma Zingiberis Officinalis Recens) 6g
Xing Ren (Semen Armeniacae) 6g
Chen Pi (Pericarpium Citri Reticulatae) 6g
Hou Po (Cortex Magnoliae Officinalis) 9g
Yi Yi Ren (Semen Coicis) 15g

Explanation of the formula

Variations

Dietary advice
• Avoid to use cold foods and drinks as they can injure the Spleen-Yang and increase
Dampness, such as salads, cold drinks, cold bier and white wine.
• Avoid to use greasy, sweet and dairy products as they can keep and increase
Dampness in the body, such as fatty sauce, sweets, cheese, milk, cakes and ice cream.
• Prefer to use warm and easily digested food and warm drinks such as boiled egg,
chicken soup, steamed fish, cooked vegetables, and tea.

2. Damp-Heat in the Upper-Jiao and the Middle-Jiao

Manifestations
After COVID-19 infection, having a sensation of getting a cold, having mild chill, a warm
sensation that remains in the flesh, or having a low grade fever or afternoon fever, headache
with heavy sensation, general pain and heaviness of the body, cough with greenish sputum,
decreased senses of smell and taste, stifling of the chest and dizziness.
Presence of digestive symptoms such as fullness in the hypochondriac region and stomach,
sticky and bitter sensation in the mouth, reduced appetite, heart burn, nausea, sticky and soft
stools and difficult bowel movement, and scanty and difficult urination.

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Presence of neurological and mental symptoms such as tinnitus, dizziness, anxiety without
reasons, disorientation, poor concentration, decreased memorizing ability and irritability.
Tongue: thin or thick, sticky and yellow coating.
Pulse: soft; or slippery and rapid.
Explanation of the syndrome

Management principle: Disperse and transform damp-heat, regulate

the water passage

Herbs
Jin Yin Hua (Flos Lonicerae) 9g
Lian Qiao (Fructus Forsythiae) 9g
Huo Xiang (Herba Agastachis seu Pogostemonis) 6g
Sheng Jiang (Rhizoma Zingiberis Officinalis Recens) 6g
Xing Ren (Semen Armeniacae) 6g
Bai Kou Ren (Fructus Amomi Kravanh) 9g
Yi Yi Ren (Semen Coicis) 15g
Hou Po (Cortex Magnoliae Officinalis) 9g

Explanation of the formula

Variations

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Dietary advice
• Avoid to use cold foods and drinks as they can injure the Spleen-Yang and increase
Dampness such as salads, cold drinks, cold bier and white wine.
• Avoid to use greasy, sweet, cold and dairy products as they can keep and increase
Dampness, such as fatty sauce, sweets, cheese, milk, cakes and ice cream.
• Avoid excessive using species which increase heat quickly such us hot pepper, and
foods and drinks that directly generate damp-heat, such as sweet and greasy food, nuts
and red wine.
• Prefer to use warm, mild and easily digested food and drinks such as boiled egg,
chicken soup, steamed fish, cooked vegetables, tea and other warm drinks.

Acupuncture
• GB20 Feng Chi, UB2 Zan Zhu, St8 Tou Wei, St3 Ju Liao, LI20 Ying Xiang
• St40 Feng Long, Ren12 Zhong Wan and LI4 He Gu

Explanation:

Note:
• UB2 Zan Zhu is a painful point, selecting a place where is a little bit higher but along
the UB meridian, to insert the needle. This can avoid the strong painful sensation.
• LI20 Ying Xiang is also a quite painful point. The thinner needles should be used. It
is also possible to use Bi Tong, which is less painful instead of using LI20 Ying
Xiang.

3. Qi deficiency of the Lung and the Heart

Manifestations
Having ups and downs of physical and mental conditions, having a sensation of getting a
cold, shortness of breath, stifling of chest especial after physical exertion, dry and light
cough, or having scanty sputum, weak voice, easily getting tired; depressive mood,
palpitations, restlessness, fearful, easily getting frightened, poor concentration, reluctance to
move and to do things and being unable to finish a task.
Tongue: pale, flabby with teeth marks, thin white coating.
Pulse: superficial, weak, especially on the first position of both sides.

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Explanation of the syndrome

Management principle: Tonify the Qi of the Lung and Heart,

strengthen the exterior and the interior of the body

Dietary advice
• Prefer to use light, easily digested nutritious food, such as porridge, soup with egg,
fish, chicken; stew, and cooked or steamed vegetables.
• Avoid to use heavy food that need too much Qi to digest them, such as fried food,
large piece of meat with creamy or fatty sauce; cabbage, radish, mushrooms and
beans.

Herbs
Huang Qi (Radix Astragali) 9g
Bai Zhu (Rhizoma Atractylodis Macrocephalae) 9g
Ren Shen (Radix Ginseng) 9g
Zhi Gan Cao (Radix Glycyrrhizae Preparata) 9g
Chen Pi (Pericarpium Citri Reticulatae) 9g
Kuan Dong Hua (Flos Tussilaginis Farfarae) 9g
Fang Feng (Radix Ledebouriellae) 6g

Explanation of the formula

Variations

Breathing exercise and physical exercise

• Deep, even and calmly inhale air with nose, and exhale air with nose and mouth.
• Do this exercise several times in a day.
• Increase the time of exercise from 5 minutes to 10 minutes a time slowly if the
physical condition allows it.
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 • If dizziness appears, it suggests the breathing is too deep or too slow.
• With the improving of physical condition, increase the time and intensity of physical
exercise, especially the exercises that improve the function of the lungs and the
strength of muscles of chest and upper back.
• Tai Ji Quan, Ba Duan Jin or Yoga exercise are recommended.
• Taking a walk or jogging in the nature are also recommended.

Tui Na massage
Patient is in a prone position
• Pushing UB meridian from lower back to the part of shoulders
• Pressing and kneading Back-Shu points especially UB11 Da Zhu - UB14 Jue Yin
Shu, UB17 Ge Shu - UB20 Pi Shu, and UB23 Shen Shu - UB26 Guan Yuan Shu.
• Quickly rubbing horizontally upper back.

Acupuncture
Alternatively use two groups of manoeuvres in a supine or a prone position
• UB13 Fei Shu, UB14 Jue Yin Shu, UB43 Gao Huang Shu
• Ren17 Tan Zhong, Ren22 Tian Tu, PC6 Nei Guan, H7 Shen Men, Yin Tang
• St36 Zu San Li, K3 Tai Xi

Explanation:

4. Yin and Qi deficiency of the Lung and the Heart

Manifestations
Symptoms of the Lung: Low grade fever or feverish sensation especially in the evening and
in the night, dry and light cough, or cough with scanty sputum, shortness of breath especial
after physical exertion, dry mouth, thirst, weak voice, fatigue, depressive mood, reluctance
to move, or starting to do things but being unable to finish it.

Symptoms of the Heart: Insomnia, palpitations and night sweating, shortness of breath,
especial after physical exertion, dry mouth, thirst, fatigue, restlessness, poor concentration,
anxiety, loss of the feeling of joy.

Tongue: red, thin and dry coating or without coating.

Pulse: superficial, thread; weak and rapid, especially on both first positions.

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Explanations of the syndrome

Management principle: Tonify the Qi and nourish the Yin of the

Lung and the Heart

Herbs
Xi Yang Shen (Radix Panacis Quinquefolii) 9g
Mai Men Dong (Tuber Ophiopogonis) 12g
Wu Wei Zi (Fructus Schisandrae) 6g
Bai He (Bulbus Lilii) 12g
Zhi Gan Cao (Radix Glycyrrhizae Preparata) 9g
Zhi Mu (Rhizoma Anemarrhenae) 9g
Xuan Shen (Radix Scrophulariae) 9g
Sang Bai Pi (Cortex Mori) 9g
Dan Shen (Radix Salviae Miltiorrhizae) 9g

Explanation of the formula

Variation

Dietary advice
• Avoid to take spicy foods, or cook with hot ingredients which injure the Yin, such as
hot chili pepper, pepper, ginger and onion.
• Avoid to use fried foods which bring Dry-Heat in the body.
• Avoid to use alcohol, particularly spirit and red wine which generate heat.
• Advise to drink enough water, eat more fresh fruits and vegetables, especially pear,
orange, tomatoe, cucumber and salad to nourish the Yin and clear heat.
• Prefer to use butter and dairy products to moisten the dryness of the Lung.
• Prefer to use food ingredients with bitter taste to clear Heart-heat, such as bitter
lemon, bitter guard, mung bean and green tea.
• Advise to take easily digested nutritious food to generate the Qi steadily and slowly,
such as porridge or soup with egg, fish, or chicken; stew and cooked vegetables.

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Acupuncture
• K3 Tai Xi, L3 Tian Fu, L9 Tai Yuan, H7 Shen Men, PC6 Nei Guan, Sp6 San Yin
Jiao, Liv8 Qu Quan and St36 Zu San Li
• GB20 Feng Chi, Liv3 Tai Chong and Yin Tang

Explanation:

Tui Na massage
• Pushing UB meridian from lower back to the part of shoulders.
• Pressing and kneading Back Shu points, especially UB11 Da Zhu - UB14 Jue Yin
Shu, UB17 Ge Shu - UB20 Pi Shu and UB23 Shen Shu - UB26 Guan Yuan Shu.
• Kneading Sp6 San Yin Jiao, K3 Tai Xi and K6 Zhao Hai

Note:
• These manoeuvres can strengthen and balance the Qi in the Lung and the Heart, relax
the body and calm the mind.
• It should be aware a long duration of treatment and strong maneuvers should be
avoided as they may disperse the Qi and consume the Yin.

5. Qi and Yin deficiency of the Heart and the Kidney

Manifestations
Insomnia, difficult falling into sleep, light sleep, often waking up, nightmare, night
sweating, anxiety, restlessness, palpitations, vigilance and easily getting frightened,
shortness of breath especial after physical exertion, dry mouth and throat, poor
concentration, lack of joy, meanings and purpose in life.
Tongue: trembling, red tongue with thin and dry coating, or without coating.
Pulse: wiry, thread, restless, uneven and rapid.

Explanation of the syndrome

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Management principle: Nourish the Yin, reduce excessive fire and
empty fire, regulate Qi and blood, and harmonize the Heart and the
Kidney

Life style advice

• Avoid challenge and stress in daily life if it is possible.
• Take enough time and personal space to allow oneself to workup the fear and
emotional suffering.
• The healing can be accelerated by love, patience and stable family life; by warm and
supporting friends, and by acceptation and sympathy from all social contacts.

Tui Na massage
Alternatively use two groups of manoeuvres in a supine or a prone position
• Slowly and rhythmically circular rubbing/touching the area around Ren12 Zhong
Wan; pushing GB meridian straight downwards from hips to feet; dotting K3 Tai Xi,
Sp6 San Yin Jiao, Liv3 Tai Chong, PC6 Nei Guan for 6-10 seconds of each point.
• Slowly push Lung and PC meridians from chest to tips of fingers, kneading L3 Tian
Fu, L7 Lie Que and PC6 Nei Guan for 4-6 seconds of each point.
• Slow circular rubbing/touching Du20 Bai Hui rhythmically, dotting Yin Tang, Du20
Bai Hui and kneading Si Shen Cong.

• Pushing UB meridian from neck, shoulders, through truck to feet; dotting and
kneading the Back Shu points especially UB10 Tian Zhu - UB14 Jue Yin Shu, UB17
Ge Shu - UB20 Pi Shu, UB23 Shen Shu - UB26 Guan Yuan Shu, UB60 Kun Lun;
GB34 Yang Ling Quan and GB40 Qiu Xu.
• Slow circular rubbing/touching Du20 Bai Hui rhythmically, dotting Yin Tang and
kneading DU20 Si Shen Cong.

Note:
• These manoeuvres can strengthen the balance and connection of Yin and Yang, body
and mind, promote Qi movement and bring a deep relaxation.
• A short and quick treatment course and strong manoeuvres should be avoided as they
may disperse the Qi and disturb the balance of Yin and Yang.

Acupuncture
• K6 Zhao Hai, K3 Tai Xi, Liv8 Qu Quan, Sp6 San Yin Jiao, Sp10 Xue Hai
• Yin Tang, An Mian, PC4 Xi Men, H6 Yin Xi, Du20 with Si Shen Cong

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Explanation:

Note:
• At the beginning, a gentle reducing method could be applied. After a while an even
method should be used. The purpose of the treatment is to calm the mind and relax the
muscles, to make balance of the body and mind.
• A strong and frequent stimulations, which can disperse Qi and consume the Yin,
should be avoided.

Herbs
Sheng Di Huang (Radix Rehmanniae) 12g
Zhi Mu (Rhizoma Anemarrhenae) 9g
Mu Li (Concha Ostreae) 30g
Ren Shen (Radix Ginseng) 9g
Zhi Gan Cao (Radix Glycyrrhizae) 9g
Tian Men Dong (Tuber Asparagi) 12g
Mai Men Dong (Tuber Ophiopogonis) 12g
Dang Gui (Radix Angelicae Sinensis) 9g
Dan Shen (Radix Salviae Miltiorrhizae) 9g
Shi Chang Pu (Rhizoma Acori) 6g
Yuan Zhi (Radix Polygalae) 6g

Explanation of the formula

Variations

Dietary advice
• Avoid taking spicy foods, and avoid cooking with hot ingredients which injure the
Yin, such as hot chili pepper, pepper, ginger and onion.
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 • Avoid consuming coffee and alcohol, particularly spirit and red wine, which can
generate Heat.
• Advise to drink enough water, eat more vegetables, seeds and nuts to nourish the Yin
and essence, moisten the dryness of intestine and clear heat.
• Take nutritious food to steadily strengthen the physical condition, especially nuts,
eggs, pork and seafood to tonify the Qi, essence and Yin of the Kidney.
• Use the food and drink with a bitter taste to reduce Heart-fire, such as food products
containing bitter lemon, bitter guard, mung bean and green tea.
• Use butter and milk to moisten dryness.
• Use honey to moderate and reduce stress.

6. Qi and Yang deficiency of the Spleen and the Kidney

Manifestations
Weakness and fatigue, poor appetite, soft stools or diarrhea, weight loss, weakness of
muscles, weak and cold back and limbs, low vitality, reluctant to move, to talk and to think,
short concentration.
Tongue: slightly pale, flabby with teeth marks, and watery or moist white coating.
Pulse: soft, weak and deep.

Explanation of the syndrome

Management principle: Tonify the Spleen-Qi, transform dampness

and regulate the Middle-Jiao

Herbs
Ren Shen (Radix Ginseng) 9g
Shan Yao (Rhizoma Dioscoreae Oppositae) 15g
Huang Qi (Radix Astragali) 12g
Sheng Ma (Rhizoma Cimicifugae) 6g
Chai Hu (Radix Bupleuri) 6g
Bai Zhu (Rhizoma Atractylodis Macrocephalae) 9g
Fu Ling (Sclerotium Poriae cocos) 9g
Zi Su Ye (Folium Perillae) 6g
Chen Pi (Pericarpium Citri Reticulatae) 9g
Dang Gui (Radix Angelicae Sinensis) 9g
Ji Xue Teng (Caulis Millettiae seu Spatholobi) 9g
Xu Duan (Radix Dipsaci) 9g
Sang Ji Sheng (Herba Taxilli) 9g

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Explanation of the formula

Variations:

Dietary advice
• Advise to take easily digested nutritious food with gentle warm nature to steadily
generate the Qi, such as porridge, pumpkin soup, or soups with egg, chicken; fish
dishes or stew, cooked vegetables served with potatoes, rice or pasta.
• Nuts and seeds such as walnuts and black sesame are recommended to tonify the
Kidney-essence.
• Prefer to eat beef or mutton; cook with some warm ingredients that warm the Yang,
strengthen the Qi and disperse dampness, such as ginger, onion, curcuma, fennel and
cinnamon.
• It is acceptable to have a glass of red wine with meal; one or two cups of coffee a day
to stimulate the Qi and blood, and also to improve appetite.
• Avoid to eat sweet, fatty and fried foods, which are difficult to digest and bring extra
burden to the weak Spleen, such as cakes and fast food.
• Avoid to use cold, sweet dairy products which can increase dampness and bring cold
to the Middle-Jiao, such as ice cream and yoghurt.
• Avoid to eat fruits and salad directly out of a refrigerator. They can bring Damp-Cold
to the Middle-Jiao and injure the Spleen-Yang.

Acupuncture
• St36 Zu San Li, K3 Tai Xi, PC6 Nei Guan, Sp6 San Yin Jiao
• LI4 He Gu, Ren11 Jian Li, or Ren13 Shang Wan, or Ren12 Zhong Wan, Sp9 Yin
Ling Quan
• Liv13 Zhang Men and Liv14 Qi Men
• Moxibustion is recommended on UB23 Shen Shu, UB24 Qi Hai Shu UB25 Da Chang
Shu and UB26 Guan Yuan Shu; or Ren3 Zhong Ji, Ren4 Guan Yuan and Ren6 Qi Hai

Explanation:

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Note:
• It is not easy to use acupuncture to tonify the Qi and remove dampness in a short
period of time. It is possible firstly to start herbs and diet management. When the
patient’s physical condition becomes stronger, acupuncture can be added to promote
Qi movement in general as well as to promote digestion.
• Without the support of herbs, it is better to start with the first four points to tonify the
Qi. Gradually add other points to promote digestion, reduce stagnation of Qi, and
accumulation of food and dampness. It is also necessary to take care of the duration
and stimulation in the treatment. Too strong and too long stimulations will make
people more tired and that should be avoided.

Tui Na massage
• Pushing and kneading LI meridian on arms, particularly kneading LI4 He Gu, LI6
Pian Li and LI10 Shou San Li.
• Pushing and kneading ST meridian on legs, particularly kneading St36 Zu San Li.
• Kneading Sp6 San Yin Jiao, K3 Tai Xi on both sides.
• Round-rubbing Ren12 Zhong Wan, the lower abdomen and the lower back.

Note:
• Choosing related meridians and regions, Tui Na massage in this syndrome can
promote digestion and strengthen the muscles. Gentle manoeuvres should be applied
firstly and then strength can be increased gradually.
• Too strong and too long manoeuvres will make people more tired and that should be
avoided.
• This therapy is particularly suitable to the patients who have already used herbs and
got dietary advice, but the patients are too weak to move physically in daily life.

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7. Blood stagnation

Manifestation
Damages of organs and tissues of the body, such as pulmonary fibrosis, myocardial injury,
coagulopathy, damages of the liver and kidneys, as well as other damages from systemic
inflammatory response. Due to these damages, patients have related symptoms, the
improvement of their condition is slow.
Tongue: Purple, or with purple spots on the tip and the sides of the tongue, thin coating.
Pulse: Uneven, weak, irregular and rapid.

Explanation of the syndrome

Management principle: Regulate blood, soften the hardness and

tonify the weakness

Note:
This syndrome often coexists with other syndromes, so the therapies discussed here can be
selected to use in those syndromes.

Herbs
Dan Shen (Radix Salviae Miltiorrhizae) 9g
Mu Dan Pi (Cortex Moutan Radicis) 9g
Wu Ling Zhi (Faeces Trogopterori) 9g
San Qi (Radix Notoginseng) 3g
E Zhu (Rhizoma Curcumae Zedoariae) 9g
Di Long (Pheretima/Lumbricus) 6g
Mu Li (Concha Ostreae) 15g
Xuan Shen (Radix Scrophulariae) 9g
Zhe Bei Mu (Bulbus Fritillariae Thunbergii) 6g
Lu Gen (Rhizoma Phragmitis) 15g
Yi Yi Ren (Semen Coicis) 15g
Ji Xue Teng (Caulis Millettiae seu Spatholobi) 12g
Xu Duan (Radix Dipsaci) 9g
Sang Ji Sheng (Herba Taxilli) 9g

Explanation of the formula

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Variation

Acupuncture
• UB17 Ge Shu, UB18 Gan Shu, PC6 Nei Guan, Sp6 San Yin Jiao, Sp10 Xue Hai
• GB34 Yang Ling Quan, L7 Lie Que, SJ6 Zhi Gou
• UB20 Pi Shu, UB21 Wei Shu, UB23 Shen Shu, K3 Tai Xi

Explanation:

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Physical exercise, breathing exercise and life style advice

When patients have obvious damage of their internal organs and tissues after the infection,
their recovery is slow, and their physical condition is often unstable. Both practitioners and
patients should aware and alert of the change. Patients should have medical aids and
monitoring from their physicians.

In the initial recovery period, patients should be encouraged to increase physical exercise
gradually under the guidance of their therapists. When the physical condition is improving,
the mental condition of patients improves too. Slowly they get confidence to keep their
physical training.

Patients should be encouraged to join group exercise, increase social contact so that they can
switch the attention from physical and mental suffering to constructive subjects that bring
hope and relaxation.

The Six-Sound Exercise (Liu Zi Jue) is recommended to exercise daily for improving the
connection of breathing and emotions, so to strengthen the lungs, the balance between the
body and mind.

The abdominal breathing can be exercised twice a day to improve the condition of the lungs,
to strengthen and relax the muscles, and to calm the mind. During the exercise patients
should avoid too long and too slow breathing which bring dizziness, lightness in the head,
pressure in the head, chest and abdomen.

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