If you can handle a flu shot, how about a flu “pin”?
One of the most profound effects that acupuncture can have on the body is strengthening the immune system. We see many patients every year that like to come in for regular acupuncture treatments throughout cold and flu season, and are able to stay healthy during this difficult season year after year. I would love to see as many of you staying well this season as possible. During January, February, and March, I am offering new patients an Immunity Package (2 immune-boosting treatments per month for 3 months at a cost of $350, a 33% savings).
The same acupoints that have been used for centuries to stop colds at the first sign of illness, alleviate flu symptoms, and prevent sickness altogether, are now being shown in modern research studies to increase the body’s own immunofactors to fight infection. One point, Stomach 36, is one of the most extensively studied acupuncture points, and one of the most widely used. It improves endurance, boosts energy, aids in digestion, and improves immunity. Studies in both rats (4) and humans (1, 2), show leukocyte proliferation in response to needling certains acupuncture points. In other words, acupuncture is able to harness the body’s own ability to fight infection by increasing white blood cells, and may even have a protective influence on mitigating the negative effects of stress on the immune system (2).
The literal translation of Stomach 36 is “Zu San Li”, or “Leg 3 mile”. Here is a legend about this point:
“Chinese Warriors Would Wear Leather Sashes With Stones Hanging From Either Side Of Their Waist While They Hiked Across The Vast Countryside To Protect Their Nation. When The Warriors Became Exhausted, To The Point Where They Just Couldn’t Go Any Further, They Would Kneel Down To Rest. The Stones Would Naturally Land At Stomach 36 On Each Leg. Upon Arising From This Bended Knee Position, With Pressure On Stomach 36, When The Soldiers Arose They Found Extra Hidden Renewed Strength And Were Able To Hike “Three More Miles”…
The new year can be stressful, fighting hard to keep ahead of all the viruses around us. If you need some help walking the next 3 miles, come in for your flu Pin-Shot! Call ATTUNEMENT Wellness today to schedule a boost in immunity and protect yourself from the flu this season. Amara is available Th & Fri.
1.Acupuncture regulates leukocyte subpopulations in human peripheral blood.
Yamaguchi N, Takahashi T, Sakuma M, Sugita T, Uchikawa K, Sakaihara S, Kanda T, Arai M, Kawakita K
Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2007 Dec; 4(4):447-53.
(2) Effect of acupuncture treatment on the immune function impairment found in anxious women.
Arranz L, Guayerbas N, Siboni L, De La Fuente M
Am J Chin Med. 2007; 35(1):35-51.
(3) Acupuncture May Stimulate Anticancer Immunity via Activation of Natural Killer Cells
Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2011; 2011: 481625.
Published Online 2011 Mar 10. Doi: [10.1093/Ecam/Nep236]
(4) Enhancement Of Splenic Interferon-Gamma, Interleukin-2, And NK Cytotoxicity By S36 Acupoint Acupuncture In F344 Rats.
Yu Y, Kasahara T, Sato T, Guo SY, Liu Ya, Asano K, Hisamitsu T
Jpn J Physiol. 1997 Apr; 47(2):173-8.
