After living in NYC for 1 year, I have learned that fall is the season most New Yorkers love. The temperatures are mild, the humidity of summer is gone, and the air is crisp and refreshing.
However, as the seasons change, cold and flu season begins to stir. In our Flatiron clinic, we treat common cold and viral conditions during this season in addition to the muscle aches, pain, and sports injuries we routinely treat. Acupuncture is a holistic medicine and takes all systems into account.
Acupuncture and Chinese medicine have a rich history in treating febrile illnesses. In ancient times, treating these illnesses were very important because of the living conditions at the time. People lived in very cold environments, houses lacked insulation, and often times people didn’t eat enough. As a result, febrile illnesses could quickly turn for the worse.
Relief from Cold and Flu Infections with Acupuncture
Common cold and flu is differentiated into two main types, cold type and hot type. Cold illnesses are characterized by clear nasal discharge or sputum, chills or aversion to cold, stiffness in neck, and scratchy throat. Hot illness symptoms include fever, sore throat, and sweating. In Chinese herbal medicine, this differentiation is very important because of the nature of herbs. Some herbs are cold, some are hot, and some are neutral. If one administers cold herbs for a cold type of illness, the severity and duration of the illness may increase.
In most cases, the cold type of illness is more prevalent. During these times, I recommend eating foods that are cooked and warm. Anything that is raw should be avoided in addition to sugar and alcohol. Cooking allows nutrients to be more readily absorbed by the body especially when the body is fighting something off.
A dish I particularly recommend when one contracts an upper respiratory tract infection is chicken congee, which will help with symptoms overall. There are many recipes online, but a basic one is to boil 1 pack of chicken thighs or drumsticks in 8 cups of water and 1 cup of rice. Simmer for 60-90 minutes. I suggest warm spices such as ginger, garlic, and mushrooms be added to the soup.
How Acupuncture Can Help Those with a Cold or The Flu
Acupuncture treatments in both cases are focused on regulating the immune system and expelling the illness. With recurring cases of colds and flu we may need to treat other systems as well to strengthen the immune system.
There is one region that should be treated every time during the cold and flu. This is Du 14. Du 14 is located below the 7th cervical vertebrae. This region strengthens immunity and has antiviral and antibacterial properties. Both acupuncture and moxibustion may be administered to this area. It is helpful in cases of cold, flu, cough, and respiratory illnesses such asthma.
If acupuncture is administered during the initial stages of cold and flu, there is a great chance that we can prevent the illness from lingering. As an acupuncturist who has been practicing for 13 years, I have seen cold viruses leave the body after 1 treatment, especially if caught early enough.
Acupuncture for Immune Support
There is one case that I remember in particular of a woman who had a lingering viral infection of 3 weeks, with upper respiratory symptoms and nausea. When she came in, her complexion was off. She was a sick shade of green. Acupuncture and moxibustion was administered to Du-14, along with the standard acupuncture points of LI-4, Lung-7 LI-11. In addition, we treated other regions as mentioned in the Ling Shu for impairments in the immune system. Immediately after 1 session her complexion returned to normal. Upon follow-up 2 days later, the cold symptoms resolved and her energy returned. Acupuncture and Chinese medicine can help bolster the immune system and make one more resilient during cold and flu season.
If you have a cold you just can’t get rid of, we’d love to see how we can help—click here to schedule an appointment with one of our resident acupuncturists.
