Well Care vs. Sick Care

There have been many shifts taking place in our world. It’s overwhelming as we start to really look inside at our beliefs, what is important to us, how we impact and are impacted by others. The bigger picture stuff at play in this moment in time is really something to behold.

As I’ve written about in past posts, one major shift within my paradigm of practicing Chinese Medicine is that I have a greater focus and passion for keeping people well instead of making them better once they are sick. We always knew that our medicine was powerfully preventative, but the masses still preferred sick care so that was the vast majority of my patient load. Of course, sickness and pain are inevitable in this life and acupuncture is an amazing alternative for sick patients.

In light of recent events, I am no longer able to treat sick people. There are a lot of ways to define “sick”. I am specifically referring to those with a cold, flu, or similarly infectious bacteria or virus. In the past I would encourage sick patients to come in for treatment as acupuncture can really help kick out the pathogen and speed up recovery time. But for now, and maybe always, treating sick patients puts my other patients and myself at too great a risk.

We see this move away from in-person appointments across specialties, as we see shifts toward telemedicine in offices where, before covid, half of the people in the waiting room were there because they were sick. I am hopeful that this will actually make the medical system a bit more efficient and will definitely cut down on germ spread.

I feel that it is important to write more about such concepts because I believe it needs to be the focus of our health and self-care from this point forward. Being proactive about our immunity and self-care practices during the pandemic is important, but I want to reiterate that this should be the way you operate in your life from this day forward. Now prevention is the name of the game. I have been pondering how covid and the regular flu season might intersect. Testing will be the only real way to differentiate serious illnesses from your common cold as covid has staked a claim in quite the array of symptoms.

Prevention is also definitely something to consider when choosing a health insurance plan. Pick one that covers acupuncture, chiropractic, and other alternative forms of care. Think about how you can set aside money for such services if you don’t have coverage. Consider a lower deductible plan so that you can use it regularly throughout the year rather than only in crisis. Think seriously about finding a naturopath, nutritionist, therapist etc. It is quite clear through this pandemic that we all could use a bit more support than we may be affording ourselves. When you have a well-rounded approach to your health and wellness, it becomes more likely that you can avoid co-morbidities, autoimmune diseases, and poor diet-induced health concerns that directly relate to an increase in mortality rates.

Think about it as an investment. What better way to spend your hard-earned money than on a healthier you?

If you are the kind of person who waits until you are completely out of commission before seeking help, I encourage you to shift your perspective. Don’t ignore “little” things that keep cropping up. Look at symptoms that your body displays as opportunities to tweak an imbalance. Get your team (yes, team) of preventative and alternative health care practitioners lined up and schedule regular visits that you go to even if you are feeling great. The time for radical self-care is here.

Iris Martin is a Licensed Acupuncturist in Pasadena, California specializing in pain management and fertility. She loves sharing her passion for natural approaches to health and wellness through her online articles and at her clinic at 501 South Arroyo Parkway. Call 408-780-0443 to book an appointment.

Immunity Protocol: It's time to take action!

Well, we have made it to mid-May! It’s an interesting thing to want time to speed up. I find myself, more and more, looking toward the future, hoping for a time when some form of normalcy returns. As we aren’t quite there yet, I’m also feeling compelled to create and encourage a clear path toward strengthened immunity as I truly believe it is our best way of combatting this thing.

I love this quote from Dr. John Chen, Ph.D., Pharm.D., O.M.D, L.Ac. He is well known and respected in both the eastern and western worlds of medicine. In response to the coronavirus pandemic he says,

“You really cannot come up with a drug or herb fast enough to deal with all the mutating strains of the bacteria and virus. It’s just not possible. so in the end, your own body, your own health, your own immune system really is the best medicine.”

I have been researching the best products and protocols I can provide for my patients on the immunity front. I want to share it with you in the hopes that you will not only adopt this protocol and make it a part of your wellness plan, but also to share these ideas with your friends, family, co-workers, and community members. We can create a ripple of wellness that extends far beyond ourselves and into the global community as well.

ACUPUNCTURE

The very process of acupuncture, poking lots of tiny holes in one’s skin, sets off a chain of events in the body that awakens the immune system. Red and white blood cells are called to action as they rush to flush out the invaders. The very basis of Traditional Chinese Medicine is balance and self-healing. We all have ways in which our bodies tend to go out of balance. Maybe you tend toward high blood pressure or digestive issues, for example. As we treat those tendencies, the balance is restored. When the balance is restored, the body will heal itself and the immune system will be strong and ready. The beauty of this medicine is it’s simplicity.

I’ll go over some specific points that are the best at targeting immune function and what their indications include. Note: acupuncture points are named for the channel they are on and the number along the channel and the channels are named after the organ they support and pass through.

Stomach 36-This is a great point for boosting qi. It is used to strengthen those with chronic illness, general weakness, poor circulation, and fatigue. Here is an interesting article about Stomach 36 and immunity.

Large Intestine 4-This point eliminates exterior pathogens and tonifies qi.

Large Intestine 11-Known for clearing heat, it reduces fever, swelling and improves circulation.

Liver 3-The impact that stress has on our immune system is huge. This point is used widely to combat stress, depression, and anxiety. Since it is also related to liver function, it helps our bodies to filter more efficiently.

Lung 7-This point is well-known for releasing exterior pathogens, circulating defensive qi and treating cough. I will go more into the role of the lungs in immunity below.

These are just a sampling of points that would be included in an immunity boosting protocol. There are so many factors that go into having a strong immune system, so it is important to discuss one’s medical history at the time of treatment to decide upon a more personalized treatment plan. Things like seasonal allergies, gut health, family history, surgeries, diet, age, lifestyle, stress level and more all greatly impact your overall health and response to pathogens. These would need to be considered to create a more well-rounded and impactful wellness plan.

I recommend getting acupuncture 1-2 times a month for immunity support. This is a proactive and preventative approach.

IMMUNE BOOSTING TRIO

I have been thinking long and hard about what products would be the most helpful in boosting immunity and have come up with 3 that will benefit everyone.

The first is Bu Fei Tang. This Chinese Formula targets the lungs. As I mentioned before, the lungs play an interesting role in all of this as they are related to the skin in Chinese Medicine. Our skin is our first line of defense against any pathogen. The skin responds to sickness in the form of fever and chills. Also, with coronavirus specifically, the lungs have been the most compromised. Bu Fei Tang is a great way to give the lungs a little TLC if you are a generally well person and for those with weaker constitutions and/or chronic illness. As you tonify the lung qi, you will strengthen your initial defense to pathogens of any kind. Another bonus is that because this formula is used for those with compromised health, it is very gentle. Herbal medicine has far fewer side effects than any western medicine or vaccine. Here is some more general info on the formula.

Since this formula is a Lung qi tonic, it can be used preventatively as well as for treatment of active lung-related illness. The dosing would vary patient to patient depending on the presentation. For example, someone with chronic bronchitis may take the full dose preventatively during times of the year when sickness typically occurs and take the full dose during an episode as well. Someone who is generally well but wants to boost immunity may choose to take smaller doses for 1-2 weeks once a quarter or so.

The second product in the trio is Immune Support Liquid by Pure Encapsulations. This includes elderberry, vitamin A, and zinc among others. Elderberry is packed with antioxidants, vitamin A, C, as well as potassium and calcium. This is a great general immune booster and has been used for hundreds of years to fight colds and flus. Studies show shortened symptomatic periods and less severe symptoms overall in those taking elderberry versus placebo.

The same kind of dosages can be applied with this product as with Bu Fei Tang. I recommend taking it in lower doses quarterly if you are well, higher doses around flu or allergy seasons, and taking higher doses during sickness. Taken from the Pure Encapsulations website, here is more information on the ingredients.

“Elderberry and lemon balm extracts offer immune supportive anthocyanins, flavonoids and polyphenols while polysaccharides from arabinogalactan and aloe provide complementary support for immune cell function and healthy immune mediator activity. Hesperidin plays the important role of maintaining healthy mast cell function while zinc and beta-carotene serve as the nutritional foundation for supporting a healthy immune system.”

My third recommendation is a thieves essential oil blend. On Guard by DoTERRA is a great combination of wild orange peel, clove bud, cinnamon leaf, cinnamon bark, eucalyptus leaf, and rosemary. This can be taken internally, topically, or diffused. It purifies the air which is a great tool for reducing the passage of air-born germs. It can also be used as a natural method to clean your hands or surfaces.

All of the above products can be purchased at the clinic individually or as a bundle at a discount.

VITAMIN D

Preliminary studies are emerging that link Vitamin D deficiency and increased mortality rates in COVID-19 patients. A lot of people have Vitamin D deficiency and aren’t aware of it. Vitamin D is well-known for boosting immunity in general and also benefits bones. Many of you may already take a Vitamin D supplement but it can be difficult to get your levels up with a supplement alone. Spending 10-15 minutes a day with direct sunlight can really boost levels. The more skin you have exposed the better.

I also recommend getting your Vitamin D level tested. Something worth noting is that not all insurance companies will cover Vitamin D level testing because it is viewed as unnecessary. This means that you may have to pay out-of-pocket for that specific test. You may need to be your own advocate and request it as well. Hopefully we will see a shift in that thinking soon.

I cannot stress enough the importance of beginning to look at your health and immunity in a new light. These are some very specific ways that we can take back some control over our lives and our bodies during these uncertain times. As knowledge and empowerment around immunity and self-care expands, we can all rest a little easier knowing we are doing what we can to strengthen ourselves and each other.

I am available for in-person treatments, but for those of you who aren’t ready to venture out quite yet, the products are a great way to work on your immunity from the comfort and safety of your home (I don’t carry Vitamin D supplements). Please reach out if this feels like a better way to go for you and I can arrange curbside pick-up. Telemedicine appointments are also available for herbal consultations and recommendations.

Iris Martin is a Licensed Acupuncturist in Pasadena, California specializing in pain management and fertility. She loves sharing her passion for natural approaches to health and wellness through her online articles and at her clinic at 501 S. Arroyo Parkway. Call 408-780-0443 to book an appointment.