Allergies

With all the glories of the upcoming Spring months, so many people dread it sadly because of allergy season.  You know, the sneezing, coughing, runny nose, teary red eyes, your head foggy and full of pressure – I’ll stop there.  Oriental Medicine looks much deeper for the cause of all of these symptoms.  The symptoms are from an invasion of Wind Cold into the Lung channel of the nose (much different that a Western point of view).  This invasion results in all of the symptoms above.  You can treat the symptoms very effectively with acupuncture and herbs, however, to get to a place of deeper harmony in the body, and more lasting results, you need to look to the roots or cause as well.

Chronic allergic rhinitis (or allergies), can start in childhood or develop as one grows older.  Some people come to me who have stated that they never had allergies, and after living in a particular area, they got worse every year.  In Oriental Medicine, allergies are due to a weakness in the Lung and Kidney Wei Qi – or the Defensive Qi of the body.  It does pretty much what it sounds like – defends the body from what we call the Six Evils or Pathogenic Factors  – what you more easily understand as “bugs.”  If you have a weakness in this qi, you are more susceptible to colds, flus, and allergies.  When treating someone with allergies, it is best to start before the “active” season to treat the root with tonifying herbs and acupuncture points.  However, if you finds yourself in the crux of the season and miserable, before you grab that antihistamine, consider acupuncture and herbs for treatment.  They can help alleviate symptoms without the unpleasant side effects (dizzyness, dryness, fatigue, GI disturbances).   It looks poetically at what is happening (Wind Cold invasion) and works at opening the nasal passages, clearing the wind, and reduce nasal congestion – doesn’t that sound like more fun! (OK – I know – well it is fun to me! – and will be for you if you have any of those things going on!)

Spring – OM Style

Look upon nature and you can see that Spring is a time for renewal and rebirth.  It is full of rapid expansion, excitement, and predicted and unpredictable change as the wind blows about.  The organ associated with this time of year is the Liver, whose element is wood, and is associated with wind.  The Liver is in charge of the smooth flow of qi and blood in the body.  When picturing healthy Liver function, you think of soft, gentle, subtle, flowing.  The opposite being stagnant…it is the most sensitive to stagnation.  It is also controls bile production, so is very important in the digestion of fluid and food.  Lastly, the Liver harmonizes the emotions.  When functioning optimally, it is like the willow tree, bending with the wind in an easy-going, go with the flow sort of way.  It’s own emotion is anger and frustration – but it is also affected by all of the other emotions.

So what does this have to do with Spring. In ancient China, the people honored the changes of the season with the knowledge of the opportunity that they could provide.  Spring is truly a time for renewal and rebirth – coming out of the darkness and starkness that winter provided to replenish the body.  This is a time for stretching, movement, expression, and goal achievement (winter being the optimum time for the goal setting).  So get out, breathe deep, move your body, shake off the cobwebs of winter and go forth with a smidgen of knowledge of spring – Oriental Medicine style!

Acupuncture and MVA

The one thing you do not want to think about – an auto accident (or in insurance terms – a MVA – motor vehicle accident).  When it happens (again – I would never wish this on ANYONE!), you often think of going to a physical therapist or a chiropractor.  Did you know that acupuncture is covered under PIP (Personal Injury Protection)? Acupuncture works right alongside of PT and chiropractic care in helping you get better faster.  It works on the “stuck energy”, or pain and tight muscles by relaxing and releasing.  I use a combination of the acupuncture, cupping, and Chinese massage.  The combination of the three works extremely well alone, or in combination with other therapies.  Whether it is a whiplash or something more serious, acupuncture can help with the pain and healing process to get you back on your feet faster.

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