5 Things You Need To Know About Chinese Medicine and Flu Season
Flu Season Is Here. Let’s All Try To Stay Healthy!
According to the CDC, flu season in the United States begins in October and then peaks somewhere between December and February. I have already seen many cases in my community of the flu, sinus infections and colds. Symptoms that you might experience if you have the flu are: fever, chills, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, cough, headache and fatigue. In Chinese Medicine, one of the main ways we get sick is due to the exposure of cold. Sometimes it is the cold itself that invades the lungs or another part of the body and sometimes it is the exposure to cold that makes your body weaker and more susceptible to a virus.
Here are 5 things you should know:
Chinese Medicine helps you be preventative. I always ask my patients to begin coming in for a series of immunity treatments when the seasons change in order to bolster their body’s defense system before flu season hits. Many of my patients who come in for regular treatments September-October, tend to get through the winter a bit healthier.
Acupuncture can stop you from getting sick in the early stages. I also teach my patients that when they feel that tiredness they can’t shake or the beginnings of a scratchy throat, come in as soon as possible! Getting a treatment at this time can help nip that cold or oncoming flu in the bud.
Chinese Herbal formulas can also help in the early stages and reduce symptoms if you’re already sick. If you’re not in the early stages -that’s ok! Being on an herbal formula can still help with reducing symptoms and shortening the amount of time that you’re down and out with a bad cold or the flu.
Cupping can help you in many ways. In the early stages, cupping will also stop the cold or flu in its tracks. If you’ve already been exposed, cupping can strengthen your lungs to expel phlegm or mucus that is caught in your chest or throat making you cough or hard to breathe. This is especially great for those with asthma or those who are susceptible to bronchitis.
In Chinese Medicine it is customary to treat the diseases of the cold during the Summer. Many of us in NYC notice that we feel “healthier” in the Summer. This is a great time to come in for maintenance treatments in order to keep your immunity up. In accordance to this idea, I offer an herbal treatment in the Summer called San Fu Moxa in which an herbal paste is applied to certain acupuncture points in order to retain the warmth or Yang on hottest days of the Summer, in preparation for the Winter months. Studies in China have shown this to be extremely effective. Please feel free to check out the event link from this past Summer.
The cold and flu viruses are transmitted by droplets made when someone who has been exposed sneezes or coughs. You can be exposed directly by breathing this into your lungs or even touching a surface that was contaminated and then spreading it by touching your face without washing your hands first.
Prevention is the key to staying healthy during flu season. Please be reminded of the following: wash your hands often, cover your mouth when you cough or sneeze, rest, don’t over work, stay hydrated and eat well. As New Yorkers we sometimes get caught up with the idea of thriving on a busy lifestyle or of being productive. I know I do! Even if you are getting prevention treatments, you still should pay attention to your body and notice when it is asking you for rest.
Additionally, if you have a fever, please stay at home. This is when you are most communicable. In NYC we share too much space with one another and it’s better to keep exposure minimal. I suggest giving me a call and sending a loved one by the clinic in order to pick up an herbal formula. Please feel free to visit my Services page to learn more about treatment options, OR book an appointment here.
One of my favorite cold and flu teas can be purchased here.
By Emily Grace Siy, L.Ac.
Photo by Chanel Matsunami Govreau, Model Carol Tessitore