Eight months into the covid pandemic, and the numbers of cases and deaths show no sign of slowing down. It can be discouraging, and many folks are weary of even tracking the virus anymore. However, I’ve discovered some unique ways to be comfortable with doing bodywork and even with travel, while staying careful to avoid exposure to the coronavirus. I’ll tell you about some of these protocols below, including one that I find quite remarkable.
Since I have someone at home who has been immuno-compromised for other reasons, we have been extremely careful. I realize now that “careful” can mean very different things to different people. Some people still think it’s just a “flu”, even though the mortality rate is at least 10 to 20 times higher for covid.
Some people think “careful” means you can do whatever you want and with whomever you want, as long as you don’t share spit with them (as Clint Eastwood would say). Some people think being “careful” means to avoid seeing or being with anybody and everybody…all the time. I know someone who’s had that mindset since the pandemic started. She has a history of serious respiratory issues.
Most of us have found a middle ground, where we can live our lives with some semblance of normalcy, while still being careful to minimize the effects of exposure to other people who may or may not be careful, as well as to virus “spreaders” who are not presenting symptoms. Recently, we’ve become so comfortable with the protocols I describe below that we were able to travel to the mountains of Colorado while being quite careful.
I’ve found these protocols to be extremely beneficial. Of course, I don’t suggest or encourage you, my clients, or anyone else to follow the same protocols as me. But I will provide some links to doctors that I respect who discuss the benefits of these protocols, so you can do your own research and draw your own conclusions.
I am doing several things in addition to the primary protocol described below, in order to be careful while doing bodywork during these odd times. Some of these are standard practices, such as wearing masks (the clients and me), leaving plenty of time between clients, and spraying and wiping down surfaces. I also have an oversized Honeywell 3-stage HEPA air filter right by the head of my table, which hopefully filters out those nasty aerosols in the air, which are described as being the primary coronavirus culprit.
Some things that I do may be unique, several of which are focused on building up my immune system so it can successfully withstand a viral onslaught. First, I did a 9-day liver cleanse to ensure that my liver was not already overwhelmed with filtering toxins out of the system from everyday environmental exposures. The cleanse I did is from the book ‘Cleanse to Heal’ by Anthony William, which is available everywhere. It’s fairly extreme…not for the faint of heart.
I also do several other things to maintain a strong immune system, including eating a diet full of organic vegetables and fruits, including LOTS of greens, much of which we get from local farmers in our area. We compliment that with healthy proteins, fresh vegetable juices, and superfoods, such as goji berries, acai, noni, maca, moringa, and more.
In addition to a healthy diet, I consume specific supplements daily that help the immune system, such as vitamin D3 (see link to more info below), zinc, and liposomal vitamin C, amongst several others (NAC, ashwaganda, niacinamide, lion’s mane, biotin, l-lysine, and beta glucan).
Certain types of liposomal vitamin C have been shown to be much more absorbable and beneficial for the system than common vitamin C supplements. Dr. Thomas Levy, a highly respected cardiologist, discusses the reasons why high doses of certain types of liposome-encapsulated vitamin-C (they’re not all made the same!) may be the best way to get vitamin C into the system: Dr Levy on liposome-encapsulated vitamin C
The liposomal vitamin C I use is from Core Med Science. It is a true liposome-encapsulated vitamin C, not just a fat soluble vitamin C that is labeled as “liposomal”. It is a bit expensive, but you get a lot more for your money. You can get that from Amazon and other sources: Core Med Science liposomal vitamin C
I also use a couple of different sprays to combat those pesky aerosols – in my bodywork space as well as in the home and in hotels while traveling. One is a hydrogen peroxide solution spray. The antiseptic qualities of H2O2 are well known. Another is a tea tree oil and water spray. Tea tree oil has been shown over time to be antiseptic, antibacterial, antifungal, antimicrobial, and antiviral, though more studies need to be done to confirm all of these attributes.
I’ve used tea tree oil (or melaleuca) ever since I learned of its many beneficial properties while living in Australia years ago. As with any essential oil, some people may be sensitive to it, so it should be used with caution and only in a highly-diluted solution. Here’s an analysis of it from the American Society for Microbiology. Melaleuca alternifolia (Tea Tree) Oil: a Review of Antimicrobial and Other Medicinal Properties
The most extraordinary protocol that I’m using these days is described below. In the meantime, if you’re looking for excellent online CE courses, you’re in the right place for that:
One of the most unique and beneficial protocols I’ve discovered is the use of food-grade hydrogen peroxide and distilled water in a nebulizer. A nebulizer takes a small amount of liquid and transforms it into a mist, which you inhale through your nose and/or mouth via a mask. Epidemiologists believe that most of the aerosols that contain coronavirus particles typically come into covid patients first through the nasal passages (and sometimes through the mouth).
The viral particles then look for cells to take over and become propagators of more virus. These cells tend to stay in the the tissue lining of these regions before eventually being ingested further down into the system, where they can wreak more havoc. The H2O2 nebulizer treatment helps to disable those carrier cells without affecting nearby healthy cells. Consequently, the virus is headed off at the pass, so to speak, before it can do damage to the system.
Dr Thomas Levy and Dr Frank Shallenberger have discussed the benefits of using the H2O2 nebulizer treatment for covid-19 extensively. The idea for this treatment has actually been around for over a hundred years. Of course, it’s not patentable, so you won’t see pharmaceutical companies discussing it in their tv commercials. In this link, Dr Cheng reviews Dr Levy’s protocol: Dr Levy’s Hydrogen Peroxide nebulizer protocol
Here is a link that discusses Dr Shallenberger’s approach to this treatment: Dr Shallenberger on the Hydrogen Peroxide nebulizer protocol
You can get a nebulizer (I use an inexpensive one from BeC) and food-grade hydrogen peroxide from Amazon or other sources. You can get distilled water anywhere. Some say they prefer to use a saline solution with the H2O2, though several sources indicate that distilled water works fine. We usually use it in the evening for about 5 to 10 minutes after any possible exposure – i.e. whenever we’re around other people. We dilute the H2O2-water mixture considerably. The amount of dilution depends on the strength of the H2O2 used.
Again, this is not a recommendation to use any particular substance or protocol for any purpose. It’s just my way of sharing what we’ve been doing to be careful during the pandemic while trying to live as full a life as we can under the circumstances. I suggest that you do your own research.
For more information on vitamin D3 and how best to use it, here is some information from Dr. William Davis: Dr William Davis on vitamin D3 Although vegetarians might prefer the D2 version, these other forms of vitamin D do not raise vitamin D levels in the blood as efficiently as D3.
I’m curious to hear your thoughts about these protocols and what you’re doing to stay safe and maintain a life!
Stay well, John
Ray of Light Training
Member of the Fascia Research Society
John J. Ray is a Board Approved Continuing Education Provider through the NCBTMB