Acupuncture, health maintenance & seasonal treatment

Traditionally, in China, Chinese medicine was used by doctors to help to maintain health and prevent illness. Those who could afford it would pay their doctor a retainer. The patient would receive treatment at regular intervals in order to maintain their good health. If they fell ill, the doctor was required to attend them for as long and as often as necessary to ensure their return to health. 

The method used to help to maintain good health was based on the seasons, Winter, Spring, Summer, etc. At the time of the season change, people were considered to be more vulnerable to what is called in Chinese medicine ‘attack by Wind’ (in Chinese, ‘feng’, the same word as that used in ‘tai feng’ , ‘great wind’, or typhoon).

Wind was said to drive Cold or Damp into the energy (qi) channels, particularly around the head and neck, leading to ‘flu type fevers and colds. It could also affect the channels at the joints, leading to rheumatism and arthritis (patients often report that their pain is worse in cold or damp weather).

At the time of season change, a person’s ability to defend themselves against colds and ‘flu can be compromised because their bodies are unused to the new conditions - their defensive energy is weaker. I notice in my practice that, when the weather changes in October or November, or in the Spring, my patients are much more likely to suffer from infections.

Managing the changing seasons can still be used as an effective method to ward off infections and maintain overall good health. Many patients, having longer courses of treatment, are surprised to find that they have less colds , and sometimes they seem to become completely immune. For those wishing to have treatment every three months, I usually suggest having treatment at the change of season, in December, March, June, and September - specifically at or near to, the Winter and Summer solstices and, the Spring and Autumn equinoxes.