Lets set up a scenario of how this may happen
Your heading out to meet some friends for the evening and everyone is meeting up for dinner. Its raining and getting windy with a slight chill to the air. You didn’t quite dress for the occasion. After dinner you are heading home and getting ready for bed as you have a busy day ahead of you in the morning. Upon waking you realize you are experiencing a sore throat, runny nose and chills-what happened? You felt great last night.
Viruses and/or pathogens enter the body by skin, nose, mouth, and eyes. If the immune system is not strong; one may begin to experience such as sore, scratchy throat, cough with or without congestion, runny nose/ stuffy nose, body aches or even a fever.
Acupuncture along with a Chinese herbal formula specific to treat your symptoms can be highly effective and treating and preventing the cold or flu. From a Chinese perspective; a patient is treated according to the symptoms presented at the time of visit based on the characteristics of wind, damp, heat or cold type pathogens.
Acupuncture may help decrease or prevent cold symptoms by helping to build the immune system. Specific points are used along the energy pathways or meridians depending on the symptoms presented. Just to name a few; these points can be very useful in helping to boost the immune system and get you back on the road to recovery
LI 4, ST36, SP6 are extremely effective in boosting the immune system when combined. Note this combination is not recommended during pregnancy.
LI 20- opens the nose especially helpful with runny nose or sinus issues
LU 9- helps to tonify the lungs and stop cough
Cupping can also be beneficial to help break up chest congestion and clear the lungs by improving breathing and alleviating cough.
Herbal formulas can also be useful during this time as they work in conjunction with acupuncture to help alleviate the symptoms. Gan Mao Ling is a traditional Chinese formula that helps to boost the immune system and alleviate cold/flu symptoms especially if taking in the early stages or on set of symptoms.
Here are some key notes to keep in mind during this season
1) Stay hydrated
2) Listen to your body especially when it needs rest or downtime.
3) Wear a scarf- did you know the nape of the neck is called the “wind gate?” When its cold and windy your neck is exposed to the elements and allowing a pathogen to enter the body.
4) Try to incorporate more warming foods into the diet such as ginger or garlic
5) If you do get sick; it is believed there is nothing better than a bowl of homemade chicken noodle soup. The chicken broth is rich in vitamins/ minerals and helps to hydrate as well.
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