Jill McCubbin-Clare 
Winter is commonly known as cold and flu season. But that doesn’t mean you should expect to get sick every year. Although it may seem inevitable to catch a cold or flu during the winter, it is possible to stay healthy and enjoy the season. There are many ways in which Traditional Chinese Medicine can help you to stay protected from the spread of colds and flus. In fact, approaches of Traditional Chinese Medicine have been widely popular in treating cold and flu symptoms. According to the practices of Traditional Chinese Medicine, external pathogens that create cold and flu symptoms are caused by an invasion of external wind. There are two main modalities within the practice of Traditional Chinese Medicine that help fight off a cold or flu: acupuncture and Chinese herbs. Let’s look at how each one helps you toward recovery.
Acupuncture’s role in fighting cold and flu symptoms
Acupuncture treatments are especially effective when they are provided in the early stages of a cold or flu. Symptoms of a lingering sore throat are a sure-fire sign that a cold or flu is brewing. You want to make sure you’re nipping those symptoms in the bud before they manifest into a cold or flu!
Acupuncturists investigate the root causes of your cold and flu symptoms. They look at factors such as your qi levels and your external wind conditions in order to restore your body’s balance and health. Acupuncturists target those imbalances through the strategic insertion of superfine needles.
Acupuncture also helps to boost the immune system. The immune system plays a key role in the defense against a cold or flu. When our immune systems are weak, our bodies become more vulnerable to the viruses that cause colds and flus. The effects of acupuncture treatments on the immune system can last for up to three days after the treatments.
Chinese Herbs in help fight cold and flu symptoms
In Traditional Chinese Medicine, there is a strong emphasis on Chinese herbs to improve overall health and well being. When it comes to a cold or flu, there are a number of Chinese herbs that help to fight the viruses and bacteria. Herbs such as Angelica root and fields are commonly used to fight the cold and flu symptoms. Allow your Traditional Chinese Medicine practitioner or acupuncturist to determine which herbs are right for you. You may be causing harm to yourself if you take Chinese herbs without a professional’s approval.
The combination of acupuncture and Chinese herbs are effective in getting you back to feeling like yourself again. This winter, enjoy the season with your friends and family without having to deal with a nasty cold or flu! If you are prone to getting a cold or flu during the winter months, then you may want to consider Traditional Chinese Medicine as a form of protection. Contact me to book your complimentary 15-minute consultation session to see how you can be in better health all year round!
