Did you know that Acupuncture is EXCELLENT for building up your immune system and knocking out the common cold and associated symptoms before they get a foothold in your body and wreak havoc on your body and mind?

It’s true! Getting acupuncture regularly will help boost your Defensive Qi (Wei Qi) in your body, helping you stave off illness and recover faster when you do get sick. Check out this newsletter by Licensed Acupuncturist, Jessica Chen, that goes into depth about wind-cold and wind-heat invasions AKA the common cold and ways to prevent them this flu season!

Remember these tips to staying healthy while all your coworkers and friends are calling out sick!

-Drink warm beverages: If you drink Iced coffees- switch to hot coffees or better yet, switch to teas! Teas have many herbal properties that can help combat illness. Take MINT for example- mint tea can soothe a sore throat!

–Eat warm foods: Stews and warm meals are great for the cold, winter months. Avoid eating cold foods such as salads and stick to warm root vegetables and heartier foods. Try to avoid spicy foods or greasy foods and excess sugar intake- which will all produce phlegm and exacerbate any cold symptoms.

–Keep your neck covered: Now that it is officially scarf season I’m sure you are noticing many people sporting cute and stylish scarves with their winter outfits- but fashion benefits aside, scarves do hold a higher value to your health! Wearing a scarf will protect the back of your neck- which in Chinese Medicine is considered your wind-gate- the entrance way that pathogenic factors such as wind-cold and wind-heat use to enter into your body. It is important to keep this area covered when you are out facing the elements this winter to avoid getting sick.

–Get regular Acupuncture treatments: To build your immune system, make sure to get regular acupuncture treatments prior to, and during the fall and winter months or changing seasons. Make sure that as soon as you feel the slightest tinge of a cold or sore throat coming on- you call your acupuncturist and book an appointment PRONTO! It can mean the difference between being sick for another couple days or catching a full on cold and being out of commission for weeks!!

*Remember there are many stages to the common cold and your acupuncturist can help aid a faster recovery, regardless of what stage you are in*