We are most vulnerable to colds and the flu (influenza) during the long winter months. Did you know that Traditional Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture are effective at treating these conditions?
Types of Colds in Chinese Medicine
The common cold has many forms in traditional Chinese medicine. The most common forms fall under the categories of what we call “wind cold” and “wind heat.” Wind indicates a type of “disturbance in the system coming from the outside world, i.e. a virus.
Wind-Cold Type
The main symptoms are: congestion, sneezing, chills, mild-fever, no sweating, headache, body aches, stiff neck, and clear nasal discharge.
Because it manifests as COLD, the treatments focus on warming the body’s Yang in order to kick the cold out of the system. The main point “acu-point” (or acupuncture point) is Dazhui, otherwise known as Governing Vessel 14. It is just below the spinous process of the lowest vertebrae in the neck, at the level of the shoulders:
This is one of the most effective points to active internal Yang.
Effective Self-Treatment
You can easily rub your palms together until they are warm and hold them over this point, or scrub it the point for 5 minutes while allowing hot water to run over it while you are in the shower. This will increase the body’s Yang and help to dispel the cold from your system.
More Self-Help for Symptom Relief!
Yingxiang, or Large Instesting 20, is another point that can help relieve symptoms of the common cold and flu. It’s located at the bottom and to the side of each nostril–right at the top of your smile line. Using your thumb to rub this point can dilate the capillary around nose and is great for relieving congestion and runny nose.
Wind-Heat Type
The main symptoms are: high fever, sore throat, yellow nasal discharge, headache, cough, and body aches.
The typically manifestation is HEAT, and the main treatments revolve around clearing heat from the body. Dazhui (above) also doubles as an effective point to clear heat, but instead of warming the point, we usually prick this point to induce minor bleeding, as well as use suction cups to bring blood to the surface of the skin. We also prick, bleed and/or cup Feishu (Bladder 13) to help relieve symptoms. This point is 1.5 inches to the side of the 3rd thoracic vertebrae. Please note that anything involving bleeding is best done by a qualified professional.
There are many other Chinese Medicine treatments for the Common Cold and Flu which are effective in both treating and preventing illness. It’s never too late to start regenerating your system from the inside out! If you haven’t tried this amazing ancient practice, book today and discover how it can help you!
