Winter is upon us. The weather is turning colder and damper and with that an increase in colds and flus. Acupuncture and Chinese Herbs can help keep us from catching everything that comes our way, and can help us get relief from symptoms when we need it.

In Chinese Medicine one of the six external causes of disease is Wind. This can be taken literally to mean that wind enters the body and causes illness. The area at the back of the neck is referred to as the "Wind Gate," it is thought that this is the area most vulnerable to invasion by Wind.

It is a good idea to keep the back of the neck covered when out in the windy weather to prevent an invasion of wind.

Wind as a cause of disease can also be taken as a metaphor for the characteristics of external disease that come on quickly, cause chills, an aversion to cold and wind, achy sensations in the muscles and cough.

Regardless of whether we believe wind is the literal cause of disease, the windy, damp and cold winter months in Seattle are those in which we are at greatest risk for contagious disease. The techniques for preventing and expelling these infections in Chinese Medicine involve working with the concept of wind. Prevention of winter colds and flus involves boosting the Wei Qi of the body.

Wei Qi is the qi that circulates in the skin and puts up a barrier so that wind cannot enter the body.

Acupuncture can increase the quantity and quality of circulating Wei Qi to increase the protection that an individual's own immune system provides. It is in this way that acupuncture increases immunity.

For those who are especially prone to external invasion, herbal preventative care is also helpful. There are several popular Chinese Herbal Formulas which, when taken regularly just before and during cold and flu season, can also keep that protective immunity functioning optimally.

 Huang Qi, or Astragalus, is a Chinese herb included in many formulas which increase immune function.

When external wind, or infection, does manage to get through the Wei Qi and we feel those early signs of headache, slight aversion to wind, body aches, scratchy or sore throat, and nasal congestion, quick action should be taken.

Acupuncture and Chinese Herbs taken at first signs of illness can help the body to fight off the attack quickly, leading to shorter colds, and less severe symptoms.