According to traditional Chinese medicine, the body is always engaged in a battle between “True Energy” and Evil Energy.” It may sound biblical, but it has nothing to do with religion. It has everything to do the healthy balance within the body.
“True Energy”, known as Zheng Qi in Chinese Medicine, is inseparable from the immune system. It’s what empowers the body to heal itself and ward off bacterias, viruses or allergens. Evil Energy, known as Xie Qi in Chinese, refers to nothing on the plane of morals but to pathogenic influences like virus, bacterias, allergens, toxins, poisons, molds, etc.
Based on this theory there are two ways we can get sick: Due to a very strong pathogen (Evil Energy) that overpowers our immune system (True Energy). Or if our True Energy gets weak enough then even a relatively weak pathogen can do us harm.
This explains why some people get sick all the time; because their True Energy is weak and easily overcome by any virus or bacteria that is circulating This also explains why during major epidemic outbreaks, like during the great plague, some people were immune to the illness; because their True Energy was stronger than the Evil Energy of the epidemic.
Those who suffer from seasonal or environmental allergies have a weakened True Energy so they are affected by influences which others are immune to. The traditional Chinese medical protocol for overcoming allergies is to strengthen the True Energy to be able to withstand these allergens and not react to them.
There are 3 main steps in Chinese medicine to doing this. The first is to cleanse the system of the influences that are weakening the True Energy in the first place. After it’s no longer being compromised by these the second step is to boost the True Energy of the body. Finally the third step is to open the meridian channels with Acu-Points.
Step 1. Cleanse & Detoxify
Most people suffering from allergies have toxins in their body which weaken their True Energy. This causes a systemic low-grade inflammation that gets triggered into a greater inflammatory response when they come into contact with an allergen.
Based on Chinese medicine, the sinuses, skin and lungs are connected with digestive health. Cleansing the body and the digestive system of toxins can often bring instant relief to allergy symptoms. There are dozens of ways to cleanse the body and thousands of “cleansing” products on the market.
But you don’t need to buy an expensive herbal cleanse program. Just follow the guidelines below for 3-7 weeks to detoxify your body. If you need a more intensive cleanse, then consult a qualified health practitioner who knows about safe and healthy cleansing.
9 Simple Cleansing Guidelines:
1. Avoid all processed foods and refined sugars.
2. Eat 30-50% less than usual
3. Eat nutrient-dense whole foods with minimal processing
4. Avoid dairy, wheat, gluten and anything with additives, preservatives or food coloring
5. Eat a lot of leafy & green vegetables with plenty of fibre
6. Drink at 4-6 litres a day of pure water (not tap water)
7. Every two days take an Epsom salt bath and relax
8. Sleep and rest more
9. Saunas are great too to sweat out toxins
Step 2. Strengthen your “True Energy”
Traditional Chinese medicine understands that there is a vital energy that flows through your whole body and is responsible for circulation, metabolism and vitality. It’s called “Qi” (pronounced ‘chee’). Boosting your “Qi” will strengthen your True Energy and regulate your immune system. Here are some ways to boost your “Qi”:
Exercise, but not to the extreme.
The body is made to move, stretch, sweat and push past it’s limits. The body loves exercise. It doesn’t really matter what kind of exercise you do, as long as you get a good cardiovascular workout with sweating and breathing. Just don’t overdo it. Some people get addicted to exercise and they end up exhausting their bodies by exercising too much. Very often I see people in my clinic who have exhausted their Qi by exercising too much! So find the balance that’s right for you – and enjoy recovery after exercise.
Get enough sleep & rest.
Our internal organs and cells repair themselves and build up Qi-Energy during sleep. You should get at least an average of 7-8 hours of solid restful sleep a night. Getting adequate rest and sleep will do wonders to build your Qi-Energy. Balance stress with rest. Even if you don’t get enough sleep, then make a point of resting during the day, so you can let your body rebuild the Qi. If you’re always moving and going, then you’re burning Qi. You need to rest to build it.
Breathe steadily and deeply.
Breathing is one of the ways we build Qi-Energy. Keep conscious of your breath throughout the day, while at work, shopping, driving, walking or doing anything. Many people with allergies tend to breathe shallow or hold their breath too much. Practicing yoga, qigong, meditation or tai chi are all good ways to get more in touch with your breathing.
Maintain good posture.
Our Qi-Energy flows through what are called “meridians” in the body. These are channels of circulation that connect our internal organs with our limbs and head. When your slouch or maintain a bad posture, then the meridians get blocked and the Qi-Energy can’t flow. This can cause all kinds of health problems like pain, allergies, digestive issues, chronic illnesses, etc. If you don’t think you have a good posture, then seek professional help. Learn qigong, do yoga, get acupuncture, rolfing or other therapy to help re-align your body, open your meridians and build your Qi-Energy
Step 3: Relieve Allergy Symptoms with Acu-Point Stimulation
Acupuncture uses hundreds of acu-points on the body to open the meridian channels and stimulate organ health.
This article isn’t long enough to explain how it works. And you don’t need to know all the points to get relief from allergy symptoms. You don’t always need acupuncture, you can stimulate the acu-points with your fingers.
The pictures below illustrate the most important acu-points to strengthen your immune system and reduce the symptoms of seasonal allergies. Just press on these points for 5-15 seconds each while breathing slowly and deeply. Concentrate on relaxing your entire body while you do this. See for yourself how doing this whenever the symptoms appear brings you relief.
If you want to really get rid of your allergies, then seek the help of a registered traditional Chinese medicine practitioner (R.TCMP) or a registered acupuncturist (R.Ac). You can click on the appointments tab on this page to schedule an appointment with me.
Seasonal transitions are not always easy for even the healthiest of people. Especially this time of year when the days are getting shorter, Vitamin D is in short supply and our bodies shirk away from the cold winds of winter.
Traditional Chinese medicine understands how these seasonal changes affect the mind and body through the 5 element and yin-yang theory. Each season correlates to a different element, different organs and correspond to different stages in the yin-yang cycle.
The winter solstice marks the greatest depth of yin, just as the summer solstice is the highest peak of yang energy.
By using this knowledge a skilled traditional Chinese medicine acupuncturist will adjust their treatments based on the seasons, and take advantage of how the energy is circulating in your body.
Maintaining balance through these transitions is critical to our health and wellbeing. When proper self-care is ignored during a transition, then imbalance can happen and physical symptoms like colds, the flu, coughs, skin problems, insomnia, seasonal allergies, or aches and pains get worse. More frequently imbalances during these transitions also bring about psychological and mood disorders like SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder).
Traditional Chinese medicine acupuncture can reduce these problems by balancing the meridians and organ systems to better cope with the external and internal stresses of these season changes. Acupuncture can help strengthen the immune system and detoxify the body to prevent possible cold or flu-like symptoms from getting a grip on you. It can unblock stagnant points in meridians that cause mood disorders during seasonal change.
Avid acupuncture users frequently visit their acupuncturists for a “tune-up” or “seasonal treatment” to help them get back on track when they start to feel run down or just “a little off”. This is very wise preventative self-care.
Those who are even more tuned-in to taking care of themselves will seek acupuncture and TCM (traditional Chinese medicine) when going through life transitions. During acupuncture treatments the body processes the different stressors and stimuli which can otherwise overwhelm someone if they don’t take the healing time they need. Big life changes can be stressful, acupuncture can help increase your capacity to handle stress and process feelings and emotions.
With the holiday season approaching, and all the stress and activity that comes with that, combined with the winter solstice, short days and cold weather, it’s wise to book yourself in for some acupuncture to help fill up your own reserves so that you can handle the challenges ahead more harmoniously. Just request a “seasonal transition acupuncture treatment” and your acupuncturist will know exactly what to do.
Blaise T. Ryan is a Registered Acupuncturist and Registered Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioner. He accepts new patients at his Westboro location. Insurance receipts are available. You can book an appointment online or by calling 613-702-5377.
L’Acupuncture et les Transitions entre les Saisons
Les transitions d’une saison à l’autre ne sont pas toujours faciles, même pour les personnes en très bonne santé. C’est tout particulièrement vrai à ce temps-ci de l’année alors que les journées raccourcissent, que la vitamine D se fait rare, et que notre corps cherche à se réfugier loin des vents froids de l’hiver.
La Médecine Traditionnelle Chinoise explique, grâce à la Théorie des 5 Éléments et du Yin-Yang, comment les changements de saisons affectent l’esprit et le corps. Chacune des saisons est en corrélation avec un élément différent, des organes différents et correspond à différents aspects du Cycle Yin-Yang.
Au solstice d’hiver, le Yin se manifeste pleinement, tandis qu’au solstice d’été, l’énergie Yang est à son apogée.
En utilisant ces connaissances, un acupuncteur qualifié et expérimenté de la Médecine Traditionnelle Chinoise ajustera ses traitements aux saisons et prendra avantage de la façon dont l’énergie circule dans votre corps.
Garder notre équilibre dans ces transitions est primordial pour notre santé et notre bien-être. Lorsqu’on ne prend pas soin de soi pendant une transition, un déséquilibre peut survenir et des symptômes physiques tels que les rhumes, la grippe, la toux, les problèmes cutanés, l’insomnie, les allergies saisonnières, ou encore les douleurs, s’aggravent. Ces déséquilibres durant les périodes de transitions amènent fréquemment des désordres psychologiques et émotionnels tels que le TAS (Trouble Affectif Saisonnier).
L’acupuncture de la Médecine Traditionnelle Chinoise peut atténuer ces problèmes en équilibrant les sytèmes des méridiens et des organes, leur permettant ainsi de mieux faire face aux stress externes et internes qui surviennent lors des changements de saisons. L’acupuncture peut aider à renforcer le système immunitaire et à détoxifier le corps et donc prévenir un rhume éventuel ou les symptômes ressemblant à ceux de la grippe.
L’acupuncture peut débloquer les points stagnants dans les méridiens qui causent les désordres de l’humeur lors des changements de saisons.
Les habitués avides d’acupuncture rendent souvent visite à leur acupuncteur pour une “mise au point” ou un “traitement saisonnier” dans le but d’obtenir de l’aide pour “se remettre sur les rails” quand ils commencent à se sentir fatigués ou juste “pas très bien”. C’est une pratique de soins à soi-même préventive très sage.
Ceux qui sont encore plus enclins à prendre soin d’eux-mêmes vont vouloir recevoir de l’acupuncture et de la MTC (Médecine Traditionnelle Chinoise) dans les périodes de transition de la vie. Pendant les traitements d’acupuncture, le corps traite les différents stresseurs et stimuli qui autrement peuvent accabler une personne si elle ne prend pas le temps qu’il faut pour guérir. Les grands changements de la vie peuvent être stressants et l’acupuncture peut aider à augmenter votre capacité de faire face au stress et d’adresser les sentiments et les émotions.
Avec la saison des Fêtes qui approche et son lot de stress et d’activités, combinée au solstice d’hiver, aux journées courtes et au froid, il est sage de vous réserver des séances d’acupuncture pour vous aider à accroître vos réserves d’énergie et ainsi vous permettre de faire face aux défis de façon plus harmonieuse. Vous n’avez qu’à demander un “traitement d’acupuncture de transition saisonnière” et votre acunpuncteur saura exactement ce qu’il doit faire.
Blaise T. Ryan est un Acupuncteur enregistré et un Praticien de Médecine Traditionnelle Chinoise enregistré. Il accepte de nouveaux clients à son bureau situé dans Westboro. Les reçus pour fins de couverture par les assurances sont disponibles. Vous pouvez prendre rendez-vous avec lui en ligne iciou en composant le 613-702-5377.
