Woman in the woods looking up and wearing a scarf

Dr Stephanie H. Lipnicki, DACM, LAc

When I was in High School, my favorite classes were all of the theater classes. We did Bye Bye Birdie one year. I went to Catholic High School (and elementary school as well). There was a line in the show that went “Don’t forget to wear your rubbers.”

This was changed to “Don’t forget to wear your galoshes.”

It was Catholic school. . .Our Mascot was the “Trojan”. . .It was the 90s. . .Did I mention it was Catholic School? Yeah we weren’t taking chances referring to ‘rubbers’ during the musical.

I mean really now though, the advice isn’t bad either way - protect your feet or protect yourself from unwanted pregnancy or an STD.

Anyway, the reason this came to my mind today is that Acupuncturists are always telling patients, friends, anyone who will listen to wear a scarf. Especially when it gets colder. . . whenever there is wind. We are all about the scarfs.

And clearly you now have a picture of how my brain works in mysterious ways and pulls obscure references constantly.

Why are we (Acupuncturists) so obsessed with protecting our necks?

Early on in the process of studying Asian Medicine, we are taught that Wind is the carrier of one hundred evils. Wind is believed to be the cause of most problems in the body, and it can combine with other external evils. There are 6 in total -wind, heat, Summer heat, cold, dampness, and dryness.

For today I am focusing on Wind.

Wind likes to attack the exterior of the body. When a person feels they are starting to come down with a cold or flu, one of the chief concerns they express is that their neck and back hurt. . . There are two points at the base of the skull/ top of the neck, one on each side.

We reference Acupuncture points in America by their numeric and the name of the channel they are on. We study the names, probably not as extensively as there is time for. This magical point is Gallbladder 20. It’s pin yin name however is Feng Chi. Feng Means Wind, and Chi Pond. What happens in ponds, things pool.

Location of GB 20 Feng Chi taken from Peter Deadman Text

So when the wind hits, where do you think it likes to attack the most? THAT SPOT.

And what can protect your neck from the wind? A SCARF! Hellooooo. Oh but I forget Middle Schoolers and High Schoolers are allergic to jackets and things that protect their bodies. Ask me about covering midriff - that is another entire topic I need to cover.

Now this is an issue not just during windy cool fall days and wintery days. It can happen from sleeping too close to the air conditioner blowing on you or even working where the air conditioning blows directly on you. It can happen from a fan blowing on you. In the summer it can happen when wind and heat combine - but if it’s really hot wearing a scarf will only make the heat worse so outside wind heat - don’t wear a heavy scarf.

What does it look like when the Wind succeeds and attacks your neck?

Sore, scratchy throat
Stiff neck
Headaches; headaches that come and go
Itchiness
Rashes
Fever
Body aches
Pain at the base of the skull
Stuffy Nose
Runny Nose
Sore throat
Laryngitis/ Pharyngitis

Is all that worth not wearing a scarf?

I say this as my very own child has an itchy and scratchy throat and refuses. . .repeatedly to wear a scarf of any kind no matter how much I plead.

So what’s a mom/ acupuncturist to do? Push to have the choir do a fundraiser selling scarves.

I know, somewhat sneaky, but I really want her to protect her throat!

In the meantime, I will be ordering and stocking up on Loquat Syrup again to protect her singing voice, and because I need to have it on hand for patients.

If you haven’t heard me talk about Loquat Syrup in the treatment room, it is one of the at-home tinctures I suggest you keep on hand for emergencies.

My at emergency/ home remedy kit, if you didn’t get one yet, or haven’t heard me discuss includes:

Evil Bone Water (this is the Hot Sauce of the Acupuncture world)
Burn Cream
Loquat Syrup
Yunnan Bai Yao pills (help stop bleeding)
Rescue Remedy (calming and great for stressful situations)
Elderberry Syrup (although this is one of those I recommend daily use items)
CBD Level 5 topical

Occasionally I recommend formulas to keep on hand as well, but that is dependent on the patient in front of me, so I am not including that here.

Of course, getting treated regularly (mmmhmm make your regular Acupuncture appointments) to keep your immune system strong and ready to battle definitely helps.

But seriously, please protect that neck of yours. It is always easier to stay ahead of he game as opposed to battling the damage that the wind can cause!

If for some reason, you feel that tightening happen after you have been exposed to wind, make sure you microwave one of your warmies (or Redbird Warmers) and loosen up that tightness to prevent the wind from penetrating deeper.

See you on the treatment table!

Dr Stephanie