Health&Wellness Magazine March 2016 | Page 11

For advertising information call 859.368.0778 or email [email protected] | March 2016 & 11 ACUPUNCTURE Acupuncture for Treatment and Prevention of Colds & Flu Discover how to handle ‘wind cold’ By Kris McClanahan, M.Ac., Dipl.Ac., L.Ac., Artemesia You feel that tickle or scratchy feeling in your throat, some upper body aches and fatigue, and you wonder if you’re catching that bug that seems to be going around. The autumn and winter months mark the arrival of cold and flu season here in the Bluegrass. This is the time we are most likely to experience those symptoms. What can we do to get well and stay well during this time?  There are steps we can take to ward off a cold or shorten the duration of symptoms. Did you know acupuncture can serve as a cold and flu preventative to both alleviate symptoms and strengthen your immune system? For over 3,000 years, this form of Chinese medicine has helped people of all ages build their immune systems and maintain optimal health. A cold is a viral infection of the upper respiratory tract. Symptoms include congestion in the nasal passages, sore throat, sneezing, watery eyes and upper body, neck and head aches. There are as many as 100 viruses that can cause this infection, and symptoms can vary. Similarly, influenza – or what we call “the flu” – is a viral infection of the nose, throat and lungs. Influenza is different from the gastrointestinal flu virus that affects the stomach and causes nausea and vomiting. Chinese medicine classifies upper respiratory infections as “wind cold” or a pathogen entering the body, which is then categorized by stages, depending on the symptoms. The back of the head, neck and shoulders are most exposed to this wind pathogen, which explains why we’ve been advised to cover these areas of our bodies with a hat, coat and scarf or to put on a sweater so we don’t “catch a cold.” In the early stages of a cold, symptoms of aches in the upper body, neck and head are the body’s efforts to ward off the external influences of the pathogen. If the symptoms have progressed to sneezing, sore throat, body aches and alternating chills and fever, other external factors such as heat, damp and cold have penetrated to a deeper level in the body, becom- ing what we experience as the classic symptoms of a cold or flu. These symptoms are our body’s way of fighting the intruders that are causing the virus to thrive in our nose and throat. How can acupuncture help? The best defense against a cold or a bout of the flu is prevention. It’s best to start a series of acupuncture treatments before symptoms appear. Here are some tips to help you get through cold and flu season: • Eat a healthy diet that includes fresh vegetables (including root vegetables), whole grains, stews and soups to keep you strong and warm. Minimize or avoid refined sugar, which can depress the immune system. • Stay hydrated and drink plenty of water. • Get adequate sleep every night and plenty of rest or “down time” during the day to replenish your reserves. • Wear a scarf around your neck and cover your head and upper body during cold weather to prevent tight and aching muscles and to protect your body from a wind invasion. • Get regular, moderate exercise that does not induce too much sweating. This helps build the immune system. Tai Chi, Qi Gong and yoga are beneficial. • Get regular acupuncture treatments and ask your practitioner about herbal supplements that could help as a preventative or with symptoms. • Wash your hands with warm soapy water frequently and avoid touching your mouth or nose after contact with someone who has cold symptoms. The next time you sneeze, have body aches or feel that tickle in your throat, consider acupuncture. Consider making acupuncture a part of your wellness plan, to keep colds and flu away. Consider making acupuncture a part of your wellness plan, to keep colds and flu away. Voted BEST Acupuncture Clinic in Lexington! CLASSICAL ACUPUNCTURE www.ArtemesiaWeb.com 296 Southland Drive, Lexington KY 40503 859.402.24