Treating Cold and Flu with Acupuncture
Many people do not understand that a simple herbal remedy and an acupuncture treatment can usually cut the length of a cold from 7 to 14 days to one or two days.
Flu symptoms often require more aggressive treatment with natural medicine, but acupuncture and the appropriate Chinese herbal formula can dramatically improve symptoms and shorten the length of the flu by increasing the immune response.
The common cold and the flu, although both respiratory illnesses, are caused by different viruses and exhibit distinct characteristics. The cold is usually milder and manifests with symptoms like a runny or stuffy nose, sneezing, sore throat, and mild cough. On the other hand, the flu tends to be more severe and comes with symptoms such as high fever, body aches, fatigue, headache, and a more persistent cough.
Should I Get A Flu Shot?
Many people opt out of the flu shot, so if you decide not to get the flu shot, you definitely want to have your immune system working optimally to defend against influenza. We treat people in the fall to get their immune systems functioning maximally, and your food choices during this time will also have a big impact on your immunity.
When a person has a cold, they are often concerned about annoying symptoms, such as stuffy nose, sore throat and a low fever. Often a nagging cough is present. Sneezing and a runny nose are often the most overwhelming symptoms of the common cold.
Treating Cold and Flu Symptoms with Acupuncture
Using acupuncture and herbal medicine at the very beginning of a cold cannot only cut short the duration of the infection, but also rid the body of annoying symptoms by balancing and strengthening the immune system. A cold or flu can often prevent people from getting to work. Children often will miss school because of a cold or a flu. If the family has a strategy of utilizing herbal medicine and acupuncture they will learn how to recover extremely quickly from a cold or a flu.
Many patients have asked me if I think a flu shot is necessary and I do not, but this is contrary to popular medical thought and is just my clinical opinion. However, there are certain cases that I recommend getting the flu shot: such as an elder person with a weak immune system.
I believe that by strengthening your immune system you can avoid both the cold and the flu in the first place. However, once you’ve contracted a cold or flu virus is very important to know how to use Chinese herbal medicine and acupuncture to alleviate your symptoms.
To learn more about how Chinese medicine and acupuncture can help you get over a cold and flu in a day or two, simply call us at the Blue Ridge Acupuncture Clinic. We are located in North Asheville.
Reach James Whittle M.S. L.Ac. Acupuncture in Asheville
Email: james@blueridgeclinic.com
Call : 828-254-4405 for a Free Consultation