In Winter, it is important to protect your body from the cold. Cold is considered the most destructive pathogen in Chinese Medicine (not to be confused with the most prevalent, Wind) as everything in the human body relies on heat and warmth to operate correctly.
Cold in Winter is particularly strong as a climactic factor and can easily overcome the defensive Qi (Wei Qi) of the body, as well as the deeper Yang energy which serves to warm us and assist in fluid metabolism.
When the cold enters the channels of the body, it causes severe, cramping pain which is worse for cold, better for warmth and often affects the upper, middle and lower back, knees and hips.
If there is also fatigue, diarrhea, depression (including seasonal depression, a phenomenon I will speak more about in future posts), increased urination, or a reduction in appetite and libido, this can also be evidence of an underlying Kidney or Spleen Yang Deficiency.
The Cold pathogen is also associated with respiratory illness manifesting with simultaneous chills and fever, with (empty syndrome) or without sweating (full syndrome), body aches, particularly neck and head, runny or blocked nose, sore throat and fatigue.
Wearing clothes which prevent the entry of cold into the body (cold air constricts surface blood vessels, making immune cell migration into surface tissues and mucous membranes more difficult and therefore rendering the body more susceptible to viral and bacterial invasion) is your first line of defence against the nasty effects of cold.
Tops which overlap with pants, hoods and plenty of layers are important, even when the cold is not as bad as other days, and when sleeping to prevent Cold from getting in.
If you are unfortunate enough to experience a Cold invasion this winter, make an appointment for Acupuncture to help expel that cold!
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