Immune System Boosting
/Can acupuncture boost the immune system?
I LOVE this question because the answer is yes absolutely…and it is amazing at doing this!
I'm always being asked if acupuncture really makes a difference with boosting the immune system and the answer is Yes, absolutely.
I LOVE this question because, the patients that come consistently for acupuncture treatments, making health a priority, report that they feel great! They also notice that they don’t get sick and, when everyone else is getting sick or “dropping like flies”, they are feeling quite well.
If fiscal health is important for the future, being healthy is investing in your health and will ensure a healthy future.
For many people, getting a cold or flu during the change season it is a yearly occurrence. Fall is usually the beginning of cold and flu season, and your immune system may already be overworked and primed for you getting sick. This is especially true if you have children; the hustle and bustle of back to school and exposure to many more viruses and bacteria.
Acupuncture is an amazing way to strengthen your immune system and avoid getting sick during the cold and flu season.
Acupuncture and herbal medicine are thousands of years old. The principle foundations of Chinese medicine have understood the complex concept of immunity for a very long time. Describing the body’s defensive and regulatory system is called “Wei-Qi”. The proper balance of Qi and blood along with Wei-Qi helps protect the body from “invaders” (in modern medicine they are called pathogens, bacteria, and viruses). This describes the process of homeostasis.
Long before viruses and bacteria were categorized as pathogens that trigger disease, Chinese medicine practitioners referred to these influences as pathogenic factors. Through careful observation, they recognized various diseases according to how the pathogen progressed, as well as how constitutional strength would influence recovery. Maintaining strong immunity/Wei-qi was, and still is, the key to health!
“The Ancients believed the root of all disease was from the blockage of Qi and Blood, by removing the blockage and promoting the free flow of Qi and Blood, the body is able to heal itself.”
A healthy body is one that is balanced physically, emotionally, energetically, and spiritually. A balanced body has a strong and effective immune system. To boost our immunity we need to improve our Wei Qi.
Eat good quality food in appropriate amounts
Sleep well and regularly
Manage stress, and hours working. (This is a big one!)
Exercise regularly, but not if you are exhausted because that is counter-productive.
If you are ill, then rest. Take the time to get better. Get acupuncture sessions and support your body by giving it time to truly recover. (This is another big one!)
Keep an optimistic outlook. Stress and negative thoughts are toxic.
Regular bi-weekly or monthly acupuncture sessions support and strengthen immunity. Scientific research shows that acupuncture increases the white blood cells in the body and moderates the immune system, allowing it to respond immediately to threats.
Do you want to live a long and healthy life? Start by getting some regular acupuncture sessions that will support this goal.
Do you have a disordered immune system?
If you are prone to getting colds or have lingering fatigue, it may be that your immune system is already very low. This can be caused by long-term stress, recurrent infections (sinus, allergy, sore throats, ear congestion, bladder infections, yeast, etc.), excessive use of antibiotics, chemotherapy, surgical operations, autoimmune syndromes, and emotional depression.
In these cases, you will need to increase acupuncture treatments to weekly sessions for a couple of months and perhaps add immune-enhancing herbs or nutrients.
Taking steps to enhance your immune system, along with regular acupuncture treatments including herbs/ nutrients and rest, will make a significant difference and help to regulate and restore a low-performing system.
Be proactive about your health and schedule some acupuncture sessions to strengthen and boost your immune system, your future self will thank you!
How do I start? Contact us today to schedule an appointment.
