Loss of Taste and Smell Treatment in The Woodlands, TX
Food tastes like nothing. Coffee has no aroma. You have been told "it will come back on its own," yet months or even years have passed with no improvement. Meals feel hollow. Social gatherings around food leave you feeling isolated. Dr. Ashley Prince developed a protocol that targets the neurological pathways other treatments miss entirely.
Common Causes of Loss of Taste and Smell
Anosmia and taste loss can stem from multiple causes. These are the most common drivers we identify during evaluation at Prince Health in The Woodlands.
COVID-19 Olfactory Nerve Inflammation
The virus triggers direct inflammation of the olfactory nerve and surrounding cells in the nasal cavity. This disrupts the signal pathway between smell receptors and the brain, often causing sudden and complete loss of both taste and smell.
Sinus and Nasal Conditions
Chronic sinusitis, nasal polyps, and severe allergies create persistent swelling that physically blocks odor molecules from reaching the olfactory receptors. Long-standing nasal obstruction can damage these receptors over time.
Head Trauma
Concussions, whiplash, and direct head impacts can shear the delicate olfactory nerve fibers where they pass through the skull base. Even mild traumatic brain injuries may disrupt the connection between nasal receptors and the brain's olfactory processing center.
Upper Cervical Misalignment
Misalignment at the atlas and axis vertebrae creates nerve interference in the region where the brainstem transitions to the spinal cord. This disrupts cranial nerve signaling that directly influences olfactory and gustatory function.
Neurological Conditions
Parkinson's disease, multiple sclerosis, and other neurological disorders can damage the olfactory processing pathways in the brain. Loss of smell is often one of the earliest symptoms, appearing years before other neurological signs.
Post-Viral Nerve Damage
Influenza, respiratory syncytial virus, and other upper respiratory infections can inflame and damage olfactory nerve tissue. The damage may persist long after the infection clears, leaving patients with diminished or absent smell for months or years.
What Symptoms Does Anosmia Cause?
Loss of smell affects far more than the ability to detect odors. The neurological disruption behind anosmia creates a range of sensory, emotional, and safety-related symptoms. Prince Health evaluates the full picture to understand the scope and severity of your condition.
- Complete inability to detect any odors
- Distorted smell where familiar scents become unpleasant (parosmia)
- Phantom smells that are not present in the environment (phantosmia)
- Reduced or absent sense of taste (hypogeusia)
- Food tastes bland, metallic, or completely flavorless
- Loss of appetite and unintended weight changes
- Inability to detect safety hazards like smoke, gas leaks, or spoiled food
- Social withdrawal and isolation around meals and gatherings
- Depression, anxiety, or persistent feeling of disconnection
At a Glance
Loss of taste and smell affects patients across The Woodlands and nationwide who have been told to simply wait for recovery. Prince Health provides treatment through Dr. Ashley Prince's nationally recognized protocol, a chiropractic approach targeting the neurological pathways behind olfactory and gustatory dysfunction. Learn about our Taste and Smell Recovery Protocol. Schedule your evaluation to get started.
Why Prince Health for Loss of Taste and Smell?
Most ENTs will tell you to wait. They may suggest olfactory training or a steroid course, then send you home with no clear timeline and no follow-up plan. Dr. Ashley Prince developed a protocol featured on national news networks that targets the neurological pathways other treatments miss. Patients travel from across the country to receive this treatment at Prince Health in The Woodlands.
Nationally Recognized Protocol
Dr. Prince's upper cervical technique has been featured on every major US news network. Hundreds of patients have traveled from across the country for this treatment, making Prince Health a national destination for sensory recovery.
Neurological Targeting
The protocol targets the upper cervical spine and cranial nerve pathways that influence olfactory function. This addresses the structural nerve interference that disrupts sensory signal transmission at its source.
Objective Progress Tracking
Progress is tracked through standardized sensory testing at each visit. You will see documented, measurable improvement in olfactory and gustatory function rather than relying on subjective guesswork.
Understanding Anosmia and Loss of Taste
Anosmia is the complete loss of the sense of smell, often accompanied by reduced taste (hypogeusia), as both senses share neurological pathways. Prince Health in The Woodlands, TX treats anosmia with Dr. Ashley Prince's nationally recognized Taste and Smell Recovery Protocol, targeting upper cervical nerve pathways to restore sensory function.
The olfactory nerve carries signals from smell receptors in the nasal cavity to the olfactory bulb in the brain. Inflammation, swelling, or nerve damage anywhere along this pathway can diminish or eliminate the ability to smell. Taste follows closely. The two senses are neurologically intertwined, which is why patients who lose their sense of smell almost always report that food tastes flat, metallic, or absent.
COVID-19 brought global attention to anosmia, yet viral infections, chronic sinus disease, head trauma, toxic chemical exposure, and neurological conditions have caused this condition for decades. The difference today is that more people are living with prolonged sensory loss and fewer solutions exist in conventional medicine. Steroids may reduce inflammation temporarily. Olfactory training can help some individuals. Neither addresses the structural nerve interference that often sustains the problem.
Living without smell affects far more than food enjoyment. Patients lose the ability to detect safety hazards like smoke and gas leaks. Nutrition suffers as appetite declines. Social experiences around meals become isolating rather than connecting. Studies show that patients with prolonged anosmia report higher rates of depression, anxiety, and a persistent feeling of disconnection from daily life.
Parosmia and phantosmia are related conditions that share the same underlying nerve dysfunction. Parosmia distorts familiar smells into unpleasant or unfamiliar odors. Phantosmia creates the perception of smells that do not exist in the environment. Both suggest active nerve misfiring rather than complete nerve silence, and both respond to the same upper cervical approach that addresses anosmia.
Our Evaluation Includes
- Upper cervical spine assessment
- Cranial nerve function evaluation
- Standardized smell and taste baseline testing
- Sensory loss history and cause assessment
- Previous treatment review
How Prince Health Treats Anosmia
Prince Health treats loss of taste and smell in The Woodlands with Dr. Ashley Prince's nationally recognized upper cervical chiropractic protocol. This approach targets the neurological infrastructure behind olfactory and gustatory function, restoring sensory signaling through precise spinal correction.
Waiting is not a treatment plan. Dr. Prince's protocol targets the upper cervical spine and the cranial nerve pathways that influence olfactory function. The upper cervical region, where the brainstem transitions to the spinal cord, is a critical hub for cranial nerve signaling. Misalignment in this area creates nerve interference that disrupts sensory signal transmission.
Specific chiropractic adjustments of the upper cervical vertebrae restore proper alignment and reduce nerve interference in the region that influences cranial nerve function. This approach addresses the structural foundation that supports olfactory signaling rather than treating the symptom directly. Dr. Prince has refined this technique through treating hundreds of patients and has been featured on every major US news network for her results.
Treatment is individualized based on the cause of your anosmia, how long symptoms have been present, and your response to initial adjustments. Some patients notice improvement within a few sessions. Others with longer-standing loss require an extended treatment course. Every case is different, and the protocol adapts accordingly.
Progress is never assumed. Standardized sensory testing at each visit provides objective documentation of recovery. You will see measurable improvement tracked against your baseline, giving both you and Dr. Prince clear data on how your olfactory and gustatory function is responding to treatment.
Treatments for Anosmia Symptoms
Our treatment for anosmia centers on Dr. Ashley Prince's nationally recognized protocol, tailored to your specific cause, symptom duration, and sensory baseline results.
What to Expect at Your Visit
Comprehensive Evaluation
Detailed history of your sensory loss including onset, duration, suspected cause, and any previous treatments. Upper cervical spine and cranial nerve assessment.
Sensory Baseline Testing
Standardized smell and taste testing to establish your current level of function and create a measurable baseline for tracking progress throughout treatment.
Personalized Treatment Plan
A targeted plan using Dr. Prince's upper cervical protocol, with frequency and duration based on the severity and duration of your anosmia.
Progress Tracking
Standardized sensory retesting at each milestone to document objective improvement in olfactory and gustatory function.
Restore Your Sense of Taste and Smell
Schedule your evaluation with Dr. Ashley Prince at Prince Health in The Woodlands, TX. Our nationally recognized protocol has helped hundreds of patients recover sensory function.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did I lose my sense of taste and smell?
Loss of taste and smell most commonly results from COVID-19 inflammation of the olfactory nerve, but can also stem from sinus conditions, head trauma, or neurological causes. The olfactory nerve pathway runs through the upper cervical region, which is why spinal alignment plays a role in recovery.
How does Dr. Prince's taste and smell recovery protocol work?
The protocol targets upper cervical spinal alignment and cranial nerve pathways that influence olfactory function. By restoring proper nerve signaling through specific chiropractic techniques, the body can begin recovering sensory function. Dr. Prince has been featured on major national news networks for this work.
How long does it take to recover taste and smell after COVID?
Recovery timelines vary widely. Some patients regain function within weeks, while others experience months of reduced sensation. Our protocol has helped patients recover function even after prolonged loss. Earlier intervention typically produces faster results.
Can olfactory training restore smell faster?
Yes. Olfactory training, where you deliberately practice smelling specific scents daily, can complement our chiropractic approach. We may incorporate this into your treatment plan alongside spinal correction for a more complete recovery strategy.
Is the taste and smell protocol safe for all ages?
The protocol uses gentle, non-invasive chiropractic techniques that can be adapted for most patients. We evaluate each person individually to confirm they are a good candidate. The approach involves no medication, no surgery, and no known adverse effects.
What does the taste and smell recovery protocol cost?
Treatment costs depend on the number of sessions needed and the complexity of your case. We provide pricing details during your initial consultation. Patients travel from across the country for this protocol because the results are not available through conventional approaches.
Does loss of smell mean I have nerve damage?
Not necessarily. Many cases involve inflammation or misalignment that disrupts nerve signaling rather than permanent nerve damage. The distinction matters because functional disruption can often be corrected, while structural damage requires a different approach. Our evaluation determines which category your condition falls into.
Dr. Ashley Prince's taste and smell recovery protocol has been featured on every major US news network. Patients travel from across the country to The Woodlands for this treatment. We track every outcome with standardized sensory testing so progress is documented, not assumed.
Prince Health and Wellness
Dr. Ashley Prince, DC · The Woodlands, TX
Prince Health in The Woodlands
Our office is located at 10847 Kuykendahl Rd #350 in The Woodlands, TX 77382, easily accessible from Woodlands Parkway, Kuykendahl Road, and the I-45 corridor.
We serve patients from Alden Bridge, Cochran's Crossing, Creekside Park, Sterling Ridge, Panther Creek, Grogan's Mill, and surrounding communities.
Office Hours
- Monday 8:00 - 18:00
- Tuesday 9:00 - 12:00
- Wednesday 8:00 - 18:00
- Thursday 9:00 - 12:00
- Friday 8:00 - 12:00
- Sat - Sun Closed
Contact
10847 Kuykendahl Rd #350
The Woodlands, TX 77382
Ready to Take the Next Step?
Schedule your appointment at Prince Health in The Woodlands, TX. We listen first, evaluate thoroughly, and build a plan that fits your goals.