
07 Jul Common Cold & Flu Prevention
Staying healthy this Winter
The arrival of winter means we see the prevalence of the common cold and flu on the rise here at Rosanna Traditional Chinese Medicine Centre.
Most people don’t realise just how effective Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is for preventing and treating the common cold and flu. TCM takes even the common cold seriously as, if left untreated, viral pathogens can lodge deeper in the body which may manifest later as bacterial infections and further complications such as bronchitis, allergies, sinusitis, arthritis, diabetes, depression to name a few.
Therefore early intervention is key!We are passionate about educating our patients and community of home remedies, lifestyle and exercise advice in order for us all to feel empowered enough to take health and healing into our own hands.
Below we have some simple natural remedies and lifestyle advice to help prevent getting a cold this Winter.
So, what are the best ways to protect your body’s Qi?
Keeping warm!
As winter is the season of the Kidneys, it’s especially useful to wear warmer layers on the legs and lower back |
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If you begin noticing the following symptoms such as: fatigue, stiff neck, increased aversion to the cold, dry/itchy throat and/or sneezing we recommend…
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What to do when the full Symptoms of a Cold or Flu arrive?
Symptoms include: a very sore and swollen throat, headache, productive cough and headache
Processed sugar and refined carbohydrates can cause a spike in blood sugar which can hinder the body’s ability to fight off infection. Dairy makes mucus thicker and unbearable. Try drinking a soothing Chrysanthemum tea which is a great source of Vitamin C and helps to relieve and sooth sore throat, redness or dry eyes and provides relief for respiratory problems. |
Herbs, acupuncture and other hands-on treatments such as cupping &guashaare extremely effective enabling the clearing of wind and cold pathogen, moving the lymphatics, clearing blockages and opening the skin pores to open facilitating the release of toxins |
How does Chinese Medicine help with fighting and preventing colds?
Massage (Tui Na), Spooning (Gua Sha), Cupping (Ba Guan), Pinching (Ba Sha)
Helps to clear the wind and cold pathogen, move the lymphatics and clear blockages. |
Acupuncture
Very effective for aiding the release of the pathogen and supporting weak organs to prevent deep invasion of pathogen |
Qi Gong & Lifestyle advice
Exercises for opening and strengthening the lungs and dietary advice on healing foods and those best to avoid depending on your presenting condition |
Herbal Medicine
Pungent and warming herbs will assist the dispersing of the pathogen and warming the interior of the body |
Do it yourself Acupressure for Cold Symptoms
All of our practitioners of Chinese Medicine are trained and accomplished Tai Qi/Qi Gong and meditation teachers. The art of understanding life through breath and movement are integral parts to achieving overall mental and physical health, not to mention the great effects on the circulatory system and organ function. Keep in mind that having a session with a practitioner will see that you are given the most appropriate diet, lifestyle and exercise advice to best suit your constitution and presenting symptoms.
Here is a little taster of a simple yet effective Qi Gong exercise to help strengthen your kidneys
- Stand with feet parallel, shoulder width apart
- Bend knees and waist slightly as if about to sit on an invisible chair
- Lift top of head to elongate spine, tuck chin and shift weight forward slightly until weight is over centre of feet
- Keep eyes half-closed and directed toward the ground ~2 feet in front of you
- Relax whole body; only tension should be in front of thighs and spine to hold you up. Relax the rest, and let body weight sink.
- Raise arms as if hugging a tree (keep shoulders relaxed)
- Let thoughts go, focus on breathing in and out of your ‘dantian’ (the area two inches below the navel) and observe any sensations you feel in the dantian area.