Alternative Flu Treatment
The flu (short for influenza) is a potentially serious illness caused by the influenza virus. Although the flu is commonly confused with “the common cold”, a “cold” is caused by a bacterial infection; a cold may come on slowly and is not severe or dangerous (although colds are certainly unpleasant). The flu, on the other hand, usually comes on quite suddenly and if left untreated with anti-viral medications, can lead to dangerous, and even fatal, complications.
The most common symptoms of the flu can include:
- Fever
- Feeling feverish or experiencing chills
- Cough
- Congestion/runny and/or stuffy nose
- Sore throat
- Headaches
- Fatigue/exhaustion
- Body or muscle aches
The Best Defense against the Flu is a Great Offence
The old saying is “the best defense is a great offense”, and when it comes to the flu, the old saying really is true. The best way to handle the flu is to avoid it altogether! And the best way to prevent ourselves from getting sick is to ensure that the body is healthy and well-balanced in order to be better able to fight invading, illness-causing viruses. Studies have shown that a regular regime of acupuncture treatments before and during flu season can help prevent illness by boosting your immune system for up to three days, stimulating hormonal homeostasis (balance), and reducing fatigue and stress that can undermine the body’s ability to self-heal.
If you do begin to feel sick and think you might be developing the flu despite regular acupuncture treatments (after all, nothing works 100% when it comes to preventing the flu), it’s important to take proactive steps immediately! When performed before flu symptoms have really set in (usually within the first 24 hours), acupuncture has been shown to potentially mitigate and even shorten active symptoms. For example, acupuncture can help relieve sinus pressure, nasal congestion, and sinus headaches, relieve the discomfort of a sore throat, reduce body aches, and help speed up the process of killing harmful toxins and viruses.
However, for the health and safety of our practitioners and other patients (some of whom may be immuno-compromised), we ask that you do not come for acupuncture treatment if you have a fever and/or an active cough. Once flu symptoms set in, we encourage you to visit your primary care physician quickly for anti-viral medications, especially if symptoms persist or become serious.
Acupuncture Boosts the Efficacy of Flu Treatment
Several recent studies support the idea that an acupuncture treatment at the onset of flu symptoms, when combined with anti-viral medications such as Tamiflu, can help decrease the severity and the duration of flu symptoms. These studies, performed at Taizhou Municipal Hospital and Nanjing University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, indicated that when administered within the first 24 hours of symptom onset, in conjunction with antivirals administered within the same time frame, can improve the ability of the body to identify and target the influenza virus, increase serum interferon levels, and most critically, reduce the occurrence of flu-related fatalities.
Acupuncture can’t cure the flu, unfortunately. However, acupuncture can play a vital role in keeping your body healthy by promoting your body’s own self-healing mechanisms, which can help prevent you from getting the flu to begin with. And if you think you might have the flu: don’t delay! An acupuncture treatment before the full onset of symptoms can help you feel better, and feel better faster!
For more information about how acupuncture, massage therapy and other treatments can help you, please contact the Urban Acupuncture Center Board Certified Licensed Acupuncturist’s team at Indianola Ave, Clintonville (614) 725-2488 | Main St, Westerville (614) 426-4406 or click here. Taking new patients in and around greater Columbus, Ohio.