Staying Healthy In Changing Seasons
Summer has now past and we
are moving into the fall and winter seasons. The change in seasons can be challenging for some people to
maneuver through and is often a time where people succumb to colds, flus and sinus
infections. Acupuncture treatments
help keep the Qi (pronounced chee) of the body, mind and spirit balanced. When the Qi becomes imbalanced, immune
function decreases, leaving the body more susceptible to colds and flus. Here are some suggestions to help deal
with these situations if they should arise.
Acupuncture treatments
help:
- Clear headaches, coughs and fever
- Relieve sinus congestion and body aches
- Restore the body to optimum function
Remember regular acupuncture
treatments help keep the immune system strong so colds and flus can often be
avoided in the first place.
AT
HOME TIPS
Steaming with eucalyptus oil is great for clearing the lungs and sinuses. Essential oils have amazing
antimicrobial and antibacterial properties. Take a large pot (about 10" in diameter). Fill with 2 " of water. Boil. Remove from heat.
Add 4-5 drops of eucalyptus essential oil (you can find it at Whole
Foods or Henry's). Place your face
over the pot and loosely drape a towel over your head and let it drape around
the pot. Inhale through the nose
and mouth for 1-2 minutes. This
really helps clear the sinuses!
Repeat 1-2 times a day for a few days or as needed.
Along with acupuncture,
herbs and steaming, there are acupressure points that you can use at home.
Drilling Bamboo | bladder 2 | Located near where your nose joins your
eyes on both sides. Start at the
inner edge of your eyebrow, and then come down toward your eye and nose,
feeling the indentation with your thumb.
Apply gentle pressure for about 1 minute.
Heavenly Pillar
| bladder 10 | These points help relieve head congestion, which may be causing
sinus pressure and headache. There
are 2 points located on the back of your head about 1/2" below where the
skull bones give way to the rope like muscles of your neck. Apply even pressure for about 1 minute.
Joining the Valley | large intestine 4 | The next point, large intestine
4(Li4) is very useful for any type of headache. It can help relieve pain from sinus pressure and congestion
in the head. This point is located
in your hand, in the webbing between your thumb and index finger. When you bring your thumb in against
the side of your hand, you will notice that there is a small domed muscle in
the webbed area. The pressure
point is at the highest point of that muscle. Apply pressure at the top and bottom of this point using
your thumb and index finger of the opposite hand. Hold for about 30 seconds, and then repeat in the opposite
hand. Pregnant women should not
use Li4 as it can cause uterine contractions.
Welcoming Perfume | large intestine 20 | The point known as Li20 lies on each side of
the face in the crease just lateral to the bottom of the nostrils where you
will feel a small indentation (where our laugh lines connect with your nose). Using firm but gentle pressure, press
up against this point for about 1 minute.
In Health,
Dr. Michele Ross
(858) 270-8085 • www.drrosstreeoflife.com
Rose Canyon
Business Park, 4907 Morena Blvd., Ste. 1406, San Diego, CA 92117
Offering integrated acupuncture, chiropractic, and herbal medicine to transform your health.