Traditional Chinese Medicine for Traditional Minnesota Winters

Article submitted by Robert Crane, Acupuncturist & Herbalist, MAGNA

Here we are, Minneapolitans; it’s that time of year again! The time when the general population is divided into two distinct groups. The first, a veritable petri dish of contagions, struggling to find the time between coughs and sneezes to utter a three-word sentence. The second, protecting themselves from the first, is living life in a near-literal bubble of sterilization with hands coated in a layer of hand sanitizer so thick the it damages the touchscreen on their smartphones. We all know about hand washing and vitamin C, but for many of us that doesn’t seem to be enough. Fortunately, we can turn to other forms of understanding about the body to help protect us from these viruses.

As a practitioner of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), part of my job is to view the body as a contiguous and integrated system. What happens on the outside is directly connected with what happens on the inside, and everything works together keep the body in relative health. That is why, when someone catches one of these seasonally ubiquitous bugs, we look not only for an unwanted external agent, but also for an underlying deficiency that has impaired the body’s ability to protect itself. The two organ systems that are primarily responsible for keeping you healthy year-round are the Spleen and the Lung systems. Sparing you the technical details (which, in TCM terms, sounds decidedly untechnical), the Spleen and Stomach, which are the primary digestive organs from our paradigm, are in charge turning the good food you eat into various essential substances that are responsible for both sustaining and protecting the body. The defensive energy is propelled outward by the Lungs to the outer surface of the body, where external pathogens are said to invade the body. We use acupuncture and TCM to both clear that virus as well as support the internal organs responsible for maintaining healthy immunity.

Between visits to your local acupuncturist, however, there are many options to help your body support its defenses and fend off unwanted bugs. Here’s a short list of Midwestern-mom tips to help you avoid catching one of these tenacious viruses.

Get some sleep!  It’s no secret that your whole body functions better after a good night’s rest, but a healthy 8-hours is especially important during wintertime. One of the primary tenants of TCM is the idea of matching your life with the seasons. During this part of the year, the nights are longer, making 7:00am bear an unnerving resemblance to 2:00am. As such, it is crucial, for both your physical health and your state of mind, that you focus on getting as much sleep as possible right now, even if that means going to bed before the late-night shows air.

Eat your soup!  Research over the last few years continues to reaffirm something that holistic practitioners have understood for ages: The key component of a healthy immune system is a healthy digestive system. When the gut is taxed with overly heavy, sweet, and greasy foods, your body has to work over-time to process the food and little energy is left for the body’s defenses. Hearty broths and soups, with thoroughly cooked root veggies and aromatic spices like ginger, are a good way to give your stomach a break. A good probiotic is another way to support your digestive system and, subsequently, your immunity. If you do start to get sick, adding a little bit of spice to your diet will help to push things out at the surface. Don't go overboard though, too much heat isn’t Spleen-friendly either!

Wear your scarf!  According to Chinese medical theory, the neck and upper back is the area of the body that is most vulnerable to external invasion. This is why one of the first signs of a seasonal cold is stiff and achy shoulders. One of the most important things you can do for yourself during this season is keep this area covered. Whether it is with a scarf, a thick hooded coat, or a bulky sweater, protecting yourself will keep you healthier longer during the winter months. This is particularly important after you have developed any of the initial signs of achey muscles, sore throat, and sneezing. After drinking a big bowl of broth cooked with ginger and scallions, wrap a thick blanket around you, watch a documentary on Netflix, and let your body sweat and push out the illness.

In short, whether you’re a person that is developing sneeze-induced whiplash or you’re the kind that’s downing Emergen-C like you’re at 2-for-1 happy hour, natural remedies like acupuncture and herbal medicine are extremely effective options for the treatment and prevention of seasonal viruses. Most practitioners are willing to do a brief consult with you at no cost, so go find your local acupuncturist and set up an appointment! You’ll be happy you did while you’re handing your coworker a kleenex and turning your dry nose smugly in the air!

Robert Crane L.Ac., Dipl.OM, MAOM
Magna Health and Fitness
616 S 3rd Street, Minneapolis, MN 55415
rcrane@magnausa.com
www.magnausa.com/acupuncture