Long COVID Treatment in The Woodlands, TX
You have been told to "just give it time." The fatigue that sleep does not fix. The brain fog that makes simple conversations feel impossible. The heart racing from walking across a room. Doctors have run the standard panels, told you everything looks normal, and left you without answers. Your symptoms are real. We find what is driving them.
Common Causes of Long COVID
Long COVID is not one thing. Multiple overlapping mechanisms keep symptoms cycling long after the initial infection clears. These are the drivers we evaluate at Prince Health in The Woodlands.
Autonomic Nervous System Dysregulation
The sympathetic "fight or flight" branch locks into overdrive while the parasympathetic "rest and digest" side stays suppressed. This disrupts heart rate, blood pressure, digestion, and sleep at the foundational level.
Lingering Viral Inflammation
Viral fragments and debris persist in tissues long after the acute infection resolves. The immune system continues mounting an inflammatory response against these remnants, creating chronic low-grade inflammation throughout the body.
Mitochondrial Dysfunction
COVID-19 damages the mitochondria's ability to produce ATP, the energy currency of every cell. This is the mechanism behind the crushing fatigue and post-exertional malaise that define the long COVID experience.
Immune System Dysregulation
The immune system loses its calibration after COVID. Some arms become overactive, attacking healthy tissue. Others become suppressed, leaving the body vulnerable. This imbalance feeds a cycle of inflammation, fatigue, and recurring symptoms.
Microclot Formation
Tiny blood clots form in the smallest blood vessels, blocking oxygen delivery to tissues throughout the body. These microclots are too small to show on standard imaging, yet they can explain brain fog, fatigue, and exercise intolerance.
Post-Viral Nervous System Sensitization
The central nervous system becomes hypersensitive after viral assault, amplifying pain signals, sensory input, and stress responses. Normal stimuli like light, sound, and physical activity trigger disproportionate reactions that keep patients trapped in a symptom cycle.
What Symptoms Does Long COVID Cause?
Long COVID symptoms vary widely from person to person. Some patients deal with one or two dominant issues. Others experience a constellation that shifts from week to week. Prince Health evaluates the full symptom picture to identify the underlying mechanisms and build a targeted recovery protocol.
- Crushing fatigue that rest and sleep do not resolve
- Brain fog, memory lapses, and difficulty concentrating
- Exercise intolerance and post-exertional malaise
- Heart palpitations and rapid heart rate at rest
- Shortness of breath with minimal exertion
- Sleep disturbances and unrefreshing sleep
- Joint pain and muscle aches without clear injury
- Persistent cough or chest tightness
- Dizziness or lightheadedness when standing
- Temperature regulation problems and night sweats
At a Glance
Long COVID affects an estimated 10-30% of people who contract COVID-19, with symptoms persisting weeks to months after the initial infection. Prince Health in The Woodlands provides multi-modal long COVID treatment through hyperbaric oxygen therapy, functional medicine, IV ozone, IV infusion therapy, and halotherapy, targeting the physiological disruptions that conventional medicine overlooks. Schedule your evaluation to get started.
Why Prince Health for Long COVID?
Most doctors run a standard panel, confirm everything looks "normal," and suggest rest. Your symptoms are real. The testing just has not gone deep enough. Our team evaluates the underlying physiological disruptions, including autonomic dysfunction, mitochondrial impairment, immune dysregulation, and lingering inflammation, then builds a multi-modal recovery protocol with measurable benchmarks so you can track real progress.
Mitochondrial Recovery
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy delivers oxygen under increased pressure to support mitochondrial function, reduce inflammation, and promote tissue repair in oxygen-deprived tissues throughout the body.
Multi-System Protocol
IV ozone therapy, custom nutrient infusions, halotherapy, and functional medicine address immune modulation, nutritional depletion, respiratory symptoms, and autonomic nervous system regulation simultaneously.
Objective Progress Tracking
We track recovery through functional capacity measures, symptom scoring, and lab retesting at each phase of treatment. Your progress is documented, not assumed.
Understanding Long COVID
Long COVID is a multi-system condition in which symptoms persist weeks to months after COVID-19 infection. Prince Health in The Woodlands, TX treats long COVID with hyperbaric oxygen therapy, functional medicine, IV ozone, IV infusion therapy, and halotherapy to address the biological mechanisms that keep symptoms cycling.
Long COVID affects far more than one organ system. The condition, formally called post-acute sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 infection (PASC), creates overlapping disruptions in the nervous system, immune system, cardiovascular system, and cellular energy production. That is why patients experience such a wide range of symptoms, from brain fog and fatigue to heart palpitations and exercise intolerance.
Autonomic nervous system dysregulation sits at the center of many cases. COVID-19 can lock the sympathetic "fight or flight" branch into overdrive while suppressing the parasympathetic "rest and digest" side. This imbalance disrupts heart rate regulation, blood pressure control, digestion, and sleep architecture. The body gets stuck in a stress state it cannot exit on its own. Functional medicine evaluation identifies these patterns through advanced testing that standard panels miss.
Mitochondrial damage explains the fatigue. COVID-19 impairs the mitochondria's ability to produce ATP, the energy currency of every cell. Patients feel wiped out after minimal physical or cognitive effort. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) delivers oxygen under increased pressure, reaching tissues that normal circulation cannot adequately supply and supporting the mitochondrial repair process.
Microclots and lingering inflammation compound the problem. Tiny blood clots form in the smallest vessels, restricting oxygen delivery to tissues throughout the body. Viral fragments persist in organs and trigger ongoing immune activation. IV ozone therapy and IV infusion therapy support immune modulation and replenish the nutrients that chronic illness depletes.
Our Evaluation Includes
- Inflammatory and immune function panels
- Metabolic and adrenal function testing
- Nutrient level and thyroid status evaluation
- Functional capacity assessment
- Autonomic nervous system evaluation
How Prince Health Treats Long COVID
Prince Health treats long COVID in The Woodlands with a multi-modal protocol combining hyperbaric oxygen therapy, IV ozone, IV infusions, functional medicine, and halotherapy. Our approach targets the biological mechanisms driving persistent symptoms, not just the symptoms themselves.
We do not prescribe rest and hope for the best. Our protocol starts with advanced lab testing that goes far beyond standard panels. We identify the specific disruptions in your immune function, metabolic status, nutrient levels, and autonomic regulation. Then we build a treatment plan that addresses each one.
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy is the cornerstone of our long COVID protocol. Pressurized oxygen sessions allow more oxygen to dissolve in the blood plasma and reach tissues that normal circulation cannot adequately supply. Research has shown HBOT supports mitochondrial recovery, reduces systemic inflammation, and promotes repair in oxygen-deprived tissues. Sessions take approximately 45 minutes in our clinical-grade chamber.
IV ozone therapy and IV infusion therapy address immune modulation and nutritional depletion simultaneously. Ozone supports cellular oxygen utilization and helps the body clear lingering viral debris. Custom nutrient infusions deliver high-dose vitamin C, glutathione, B vitamins, and magnesium directly into the bloodstream, bypassing the compromised gut absorption that many long COVID patients experience.
Functional medicine ties the protocol together. We evaluate adrenal function, thyroid status, gut health, inflammatory markers, and nutrient levels to build a recovery plan specific to your constellation of symptoms and lab findings. Halotherapy provides respiratory support for patients dealing with persistent cough and airway inflammation. Progress is tracked through objective markers and functional assessments at each phase of treatment.
Treatments for Long COVID
Your treatment plan may include one or more of the following therapies, selected based on your evaluation results and the specific disruptions identified in your labs and assessment.
Hyperbaric Oxygen Chamber (HBOT)
Pressurized oxygen sessions restore mitochondrial function, reduce systemic inflammation, and promote tissue repair in oxygen-starved cells throughout the body.
Functional Medicine
Comprehensive lab testing and individualized protocols target the metabolic, immune, and hormonal disruptions that keep long COVID symptoms cycling.
IV Ozone Therapy
IV Infusion
Targeted nutrient infusions replenish depleted vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants that chronic post-viral illness strips from the body.
Halotherapy
Salt therapy supports respiratory recovery for patients dealing with persistent cough, shortness of breath, and airway inflammation after COVID.
What to Expect at Your Visit
Comprehensive Evaluation
Detailed COVID history, symptom timeline, functional capacity assessment, and review of any previous testing or treatments you have already tried.
Functional Lab Testing
Advanced panels evaluating inflammatory markers, immune function, metabolic status, adrenal function, and nutrient levels to identify specific targets for treatment.
Personalized Treatment Plan
A multi-modal recovery protocol incorporating HBOT, IV therapies, functional medicine, and respiratory support tailored to your specific symptom profile and lab findings.
Progress Tracking
Regular reassessment using functional capacity measures, symptom scoring, and lab retesting to document recovery and adjust the protocol as you improve.
Start Your Long COVID Recovery
Schedule your evaluation at Prince Health in The Woodlands, TX. Our multi-modal protocol targets the root causes of persistent post-COVID symptoms, not just the symptoms themselves.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does long COVID last?
Duration varies widely. Some patients recover in weeks, while others experience symptoms for a year or longer. Early, comprehensive intervention tends to produce better outcomes. We track multiple functional markers rather than relying on subjective symptom reporting alone.
Why do long COVID symptoms persist after the infection clears?
Long COVID often involves autonomic nervous system dysregulation, lingering inflammation, immune shifts, and mitochondrial dysfunction. The body gets stuck in a sympathetic (fight-or-flight) state that disrupts sleep, energy production, and recovery. Our multi-modal approach addresses each of these pathways.
What treatments help long COVID fatigue and brain fog?
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy supports cellular recovery and oxygen delivery to the brain. Combined with IV ozone therapy, nutrient IV infusions, and nervous system support, many patients experience measurable improvement in energy and cognitive clarity.
Can long COVID affect your heart?
Yes. Long COVID can cause persistent heart rate elevation, blood pressure instability, exercise intolerance, and in some cases, myocarditis or pericarditis. Cardiovascular symptoms require careful evaluation and monitoring as part of any long COVID treatment plan.
Does insurance cover long COVID treatment?
Coverage varies by plan. Standard office visits and diagnostics are typically covered. Specialized therapies like HBOT and IV infusions may require out-of-pocket payment depending on your insurance. We provide a clear cost breakdown during your initial consultation.
Is long COVID treatment safe for elderly patients?
Yes. We adjust protocols based on age, existing health conditions, and medication interactions. Our therapies are non-invasive and can be calibrated to each patient's tolerance level. Older patients often benefit significantly from oxygen therapy and nutritional support.
What tests diagnose long COVID?
There is no single test for long COVID. Our functional medicine evaluation includes inflammatory markers, immune panels, autonomic function testing, metabolic assessment, and nutrient levels to build a complete picture of what systems are affected.
Our patients consistently report meaningful improvement in energy, cognitive function, and exercise tolerance through our multi-modal long COVID protocol. We track every outcome with measurable benchmarks 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.