“Change is the only constant” Heraclitus (6th century Greek philosopher)
The above quote states a truth that is hard to disagree with. The only thing that is constant is change. We just have to go for a walk or look outside the window to realise.
Summer is well out of the way and we are into autumn – a beautiful time of year with some warm days but chilly nights.
What is remarkably noticeable is the fact that many are already consumed with colds and flu, which is much earlier than usual this year. It usually is a winter illness. It is interesting to see how run down and tired we tend to get with a weakened immune system, allowing the bugs to affect us.
As an Acupuncturist, my job is “prevention” and faster recovery when ill. The aim is to strength the body’s own defence system to be able to cope and manage with whatever change the body is going through.
My thoughts on those who have fallen ill, is that they must be quite run down, not rested enough and perhaps not eaten well enough to have a strong enough system to ward off invasions. I would also question their stress levels and their exercise regime.
Research has shown that acupuncture may help relieve symptoms of colds and flu by:
- enhancing natural killer cell activities and modulating the number and ratio of immune cell types (Kawakita 2008);
- reducing pain through the stimulation of nerves located in muscles and other tissues, which leads to release of endorphins and other neurohumoral factors(Pomeranz 1987);
- reducing inflammation through the release of vascular and immunomodulatory factors(Kavoussi 2007, Zijlstra 2003);
- Increasing local microcirculation (Komori 2009), which aids dispersal of swelling.
If you would like to try Acupuncture for colds and flu, or to help you feel more energetic I do have an offer where when you book for 6 sessions, you get one free. I work in Finchley and do home visits in the surrounding areas, like Whetstone, Barnet, Mill Hill, Hendon, Hampstead and Winchmore Hill. Check our post if you want to know if acupuncture is safe in pregnancy.
