Gearing up for Cold and Flu Season with Acupuncture and Herbs
Most people happen upon Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine because of pain. Western Medicine seems to accept now that Pain can be treated using Acupuncture. It is how a large percentage of people make the decision to try Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine. But Acupuncture and Herbal medicine treats so much more than pain.
I very often hear feedback from patients whose pain I am treating that they are noticing all of these additional health benefits since starting treatment with me. In today's post I will be discussing Colds and the Flu.
Colds, both Summer Colds and Winter Colds, are one of those great side effects my patients report experiencing much less frequently. People who their immunity seems to falter slightly as the seasons change notice if they start to experience that slight scratchiness in their throat, or a little running of the nose, don't seem to be as seriously affected by the change of seasons once they are being treated on a regular basis.
The happens because the goal of all of the treatments with my patients is to bring their body back to balance. So yes, patients may come to me for pain, but pain responds better to treatment if I strive to keep my patients' overall health balanced. If my patients are stressed, and lets face it most of them are in some way or another, this affects their health and therefore can affect their healing. I can put needles in someone's shoulder if they have pain, but if ignore their overall presentation, their healing will not be the same if I only treat the shoulder.
In terms of herbs that help keep my patients healthy, I have an arsenal of formulas I can use as my patients start feeling a little something hitting them cold or flu wise. And we rarely say take one herb, herbs are usually meant to be used with other herbs for stronger results. But there are some foods people can add to their Fall and Winter diets in order to try and prevent the weather from hitting them as hard.
Some items to keep in your cupboard, fridge, pantry, etc to warm you in the Winter and help prevent Fall and Winter Colds
Cinnamon
Ginger
Clove
Allspice
Miso Soup
Scallions
Garlic
Add the spices to your morning oatmeal. Have warm foods in cooler and colder weather. Have more soups and stews. Don't repeatedly eat cold foods in cold weather. It helps to eat heartier, seasonal foods as the weather changes from warm to cool and cold.
Protect your next. Mom always said wear a scarf - in Chinese Medicine we believe that you need to protect this area because this is where the wind attacks and what we call the external pathogens try and look for an advantage to attack! So wear a scarf!
For more information on custom treatments to help you remain healthier. Contact our center. I love talking about this medicine that is my life. I strive to help people live their lives to the fullest. Let Acupuncture help you live a healthier life!
Stephanie Huth, LAc has been a health care provider for more than 23 years. Her practice has focused on Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine since she started studying in 2001 and completed her degree in 2009. She practices at Natural Alternatives in Allentown NJ .