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There it is, that first sign that something is trying to creep its way past your immune system and set up shop. It could be that drop in energy, the tickle in your throat, or that sudden acute awareness of some part of your respiratory system that usually goes unnoticed.
What we commonly call a “cold” or the “flu virus” is quite elegantly and elaborately comprehended by Oriental Medicine resulting in effective treatment options using acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine.
Acupuncturists are master detectives and skilled clinicians when addressing the prevention, treatment and recovery from the flu. Our medicine teaches to carefully assess both the overall health of the client and the nature and stage of the invading pathogen. This allows us to choose acupuncture points or Chinese herbal formulas specific to the needs of each individual body and the work at hand. An excellent combination—no two bodies are alike and in addressing underlying patterns we strengthen the body's ability to fend for its self while purposefully addressing the invading influence.
What we would call our immune system is in part what Oriental Medicine refers to as our defensive qi or “wei qi.” This layer of energy is meant to be a strong vital force of protection that circulates internally in and around underlying tissues and organs and externally along our skin. Our defensive qi is directly sourced by the food we eat and its circulation is supported by our lungs. Not eating a healthful diet or skipping meals, stress and emotional upset, overwork, inadequate rest and fatigue, not protecting the warmth of the body (in particular keeping the back of the neck warm), and underlying allergies, lung or digestive problems all weaken our defensive qi leaving ourselves vulnerable to pathogenic invasion. As preventative medicine, acupuncturists use specific acupuncture points and Chinese herbal formulas to address deficiencies and to strengthen our defensive qi.
The first sign of a cold or the flu is opportune time to receive treatment. At this stage, generally the first 24 to maybe 48 hours, the bug is still being held in check by the wei level even as symptoms are showing up on our radar. To strengthen the wei qi and to prevent further invasion select acupuncture points are used along with other Oriental Medicine techniques such as scraping (or quasha), moxa, or cupping.
Effective also are Chinese herbal formulas that work to push out the invading pathogen and to solidify the wei qi behind it. Homework for the client at this stage might be to induce a controlled sweat to help expel the pathogen and to promote healthy bowel function to clear heat and open the lungs.
Acupuncturists really put themselves to work though when the invasion has penetrated into deeper layers. Points are selected to address specific symptoms, to strengthen the organs or tissues that have now become the new front line and to address the underlying constitutional “deficiencies” that may hamper healing efforts. Whether choosing acupuncture points or herbal formulas, specificity in treatment is the gift of this medicine. Acupuncture treatment or Chinese herbal remedies are individually adapted—meeting your body's needs under these specific circumstances.
Oriental Medicine is also beneficial during recovery from an illness. When it seems like you are over the worst of it but not back on your feet again, or to avoid experiencing relapse when the first stressor causes the immune system to flutter. We don't normally think of pursuing medicine during this phase, but more and more I witness the need and the value of continued health care during this time. Herbs and acupuncture work to restore vitality, to promote healthy immune function, and to resolve underlying lingering pathologies.
It is hard to imagine this medicine that is thousands of years old can offer the healing and restoration that it does. Time tested it serves as a powerful ally alongside Western medicine. Working directly with the healing power of nature, and tapping into the body's natural ability to heal, Oriental Medicine shines when it comes to treating seasonal flu viruses.
Audrey Barrett graduated from Bastyr University in Seattle, Wash., with a Masters of Science degree in Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine and has two years postgraduate study of Five Element Theory for Herbs and Acupuncture with Thea Elijah. Her office is located in the Integrative Medicine Center of Western Colorado. She can be reached at 712-1886.
What we commonly call a “cold” or the “flu virus” is quite elegantly and elaborately comprehended by Oriental Medicine resulting in effective treatment options using acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine.
Acupuncturists are master detectives and skilled clinicians when addressing the prevention, treatment and recovery from the flu. Our medicine teaches to carefully assess both the overall health of the client and the nature and stage of the invading pathogen. This allows us to choose acupuncture points or Chinese herbal formulas specific to the needs of each individual body and the work at hand. An excellent combination—no two bodies are alike and in addressing underlying patterns we strengthen the body's ability to fend for its self while purposefully addressing the invading influence.
What we would call our immune system is in part what Oriental Medicine refers to as our defensive qi or “wei qi.” This layer of energy is meant to be a strong vital force of protection that circulates internally in and around underlying tissues and organs and externally along our skin. Our defensive qi is directly sourced by the food we eat and its circulation is supported by our lungs. Not eating a healthful diet or skipping meals, stress and emotional upset, overwork, inadequate rest and fatigue, not protecting the warmth of the body (in particular keeping the back of the neck warm), and underlying allergies, lung or digestive problems all weaken our defensive qi leaving ourselves vulnerable to pathogenic invasion. As preventative medicine, acupuncturists use specific acupuncture points and Chinese herbal formulas to address deficiencies and to strengthen our defensive qi.
The first sign of a cold or the flu is opportune time to receive treatment. At this stage, generally the first 24 to maybe 48 hours, the bug is still being held in check by the wei level even as symptoms are showing up on our radar. To strengthen the wei qi and to prevent further invasion select acupuncture points are used along with other Oriental Medicine techniques such as scraping (or quasha), moxa, or cupping.
Effective also are Chinese herbal formulas that work to push out the invading pathogen and to solidify the wei qi behind it. Homework for the client at this stage might be to induce a controlled sweat to help expel the pathogen and to promote healthy bowel function to clear heat and open the lungs.
Acupuncturists really put themselves to work though when the invasion has penetrated into deeper layers. Points are selected to address specific symptoms, to strengthen the organs or tissues that have now become the new front line and to address the underlying constitutional “deficiencies” that may hamper healing efforts. Whether choosing acupuncture points or herbal formulas, specificity in treatment is the gift of this medicine. Acupuncture treatment or Chinese herbal remedies are individually adapted—meeting your body's needs under these specific circumstances.
Oriental Medicine is also beneficial during recovery from an illness. When it seems like you are over the worst of it but not back on your feet again, or to avoid experiencing relapse when the first stressor causes the immune system to flutter. We don't normally think of pursuing medicine during this phase, but more and more I witness the need and the value of continued health care during this time. Herbs and acupuncture work to restore vitality, to promote healthy immune function, and to resolve underlying lingering pathologies.
It is hard to imagine this medicine that is thousands of years old can offer the healing and restoration that it does. Time tested it serves as a powerful ally alongside Western medicine. Working directly with the healing power of nature, and tapping into the body's natural ability to heal, Oriental Medicine shines when it comes to treating seasonal flu viruses.
Audrey Barrett graduated from Bastyr University in Seattle, Wash., with a Masters of Science degree in Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine and has two years postgraduate study of Five Element Theory for Herbs and Acupuncture with Thea Elijah. Her office is located in the Integrative Medicine Center of Western Colorado. She can be reached at 712-1886.
