Recently, there has been a lot about the flu in the media whether it has been the seasonal flu or H1N1 virus. There has been a lot of discussions about the new vaccines and if they will work. Most of the time the vaccines can be effective for the flu. That is one of the beauties of modern Western medicine. However, what happens when we actually get the flu? There is not really that much that Western medicine can offer besides some antiviral medication and let the virus pass. In severe cases though some people who get the flu may have to go to the hospital to be monitored or treated. Chinese medicine offers great treatment and prevention options for the Flu.
Chinese medicine is a complete medical system that treats and diagnoses disease. A Chinese physician will treat the root cause of the disease that will enable your body to self heal naturally. Chinese medicine consists of five different branches mainly acupuncture, Chinese herbs, tui na ( Chinese massage), food therapy, and exercise. All the the branches of Chinese medicine are able to treat disease. For the flu, the most effective methods utilized are acupuncture and herbs.
Acupuncture and herbs have been used to treat the flu for over 3,000 years. In ancient times the name of the virus was different, but signs and symtoms have been the same. According to Chinese medical theory there are 6 exogenous pathogenic factors which are wind, heat, dryness, summer-heat, dampness, and cold. These factors can attack the body resulting in illness. The flu is usually a combination of wind cold or wind heat attacking the body. Also, these pathogenic factors can attack the body in different stages if there is no treatment or improper treatment. Some of the signs and symptoms that one may have are chills, fever, sweating or no sweating, cough, headache, runny nose, muscle aches, sore throat, floating pulse, pink tongue with little white coat, or tongue with red tip yellowish coat. A Chinese physician can do a diagnosis to determine which type of pattern of disharmony is going on then use the proper treatment.
The best treatment method in my opinion as a Chinese physician is using both acupuncture and herbs. For acupuncture, a Chinese physician would use points that help release the exterior and tonify the defensive qi. Such points are Lu7,GB 20, Li4, and St 36. If there are any other signs and symptoms other acupuncture points can be used. Herbal treatment will depend on what pattern of disharmony is going on, if the patient has a mild case with sore throat Yin Qian San may be appropiate. If it is more sever Gan Mao Ling will work. If the patient does not present any heat signs, but more cold signs herbal formula will include Jing Fang Bai Du San. These herbal formulas are powerful and they also have anti-viral properties. Some of the single herbs that have anti-viral properties include Jin Yin Hua, Lian Qiao, Ma Huang, Gui Zhi, Ban Lan Gen, and Da Qing Ye. There are many herbs with anti-viral properties.
A typical patient that comes into our clinic for treatment with the flu, can expect to feel better within 1-2 days. Through the use of herbs and acupuncture the body can be strengthened and able to heal itself. Other good remedies that a Chinese physician may have a patient do at home is to cook an orange in the oven for 30 min. at 375 degrees and eat it warm. This will help with the coughing and any chest congestion. Drinking ginger tea will also help with symptoms and provide some relief.
Chinese medicine is powerful and a great alternative to all of the medications that are out there. Feel free to give us a call for a FREE consultation at (801) 463-1101 or to learn more about how we can help you achieve greater health and happiness.
Master Lu's Health Center is the Premier center for Chinese medicine in Utah !
www.luhealthcenter.com
3220 South State Street
Salt Lake City, UT 84115
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
Monday, November 9, 2009
Chinese medicine and Headaches
Headaches are a common health concern among many people. There are thousands of people each year that are diagnosed with chronic migraine headaches. Headaches are not only just painful, but they disrupt one's daily routines. For example, when someone has a severe migraine headache with nausea or light sensitivity they would have to call their work and ask for a sick day. Not only does this affect the employee with the headache, but it also affects the company and its profits.
So how do we help with headaches? There are many different methods to help with headaches. Many times there is medication that is given to alleviate the headaches. However, it all depends what is causing the headache. One alternative method to help alleviate headaches and treat the root of the problem is Chinese medicine.
There are five branches in Chinese medicine, acupuncture, herbs, food therapy, chinese massage, and exercise. A combination of acupuncture, eating right, herbs, and exercise can help with headaches.
According to Chinese medicine theory, there are a few reasons why someone would get a headache. Some of the factors that cause headaches according to Chinese medicine are exterior factors, trauma, and internal organ factors. Exterior factors are wind-cold or wind-heat. The signs and symptoms not only include headaches, but also include common cold signs and symptoms. Internal factors include the internal organs of the body mainly the liver, spleen, and kidney. There is a disharmony between these three organs which in turn may cause a deficiency or excess and will cause a headache. Trauma to the head will certainly cause headaches either acute or chronic. Most chronic headaches like migraine headaches are mainly related to the imbalance of the internal organs.
The treatments that are most effective are acupuncture, herbs, Chinese massage, and nutrition. Utilizing these treatments will treat the root of the problem so there should not be any reoccurring headaches. A Chinese doctor can examine you to determine which is the best method to treat the headaches. However, in my own clinical practice I have found that acupuncture and herbs in combination are effective for the treatment of headaches.
Chinese medicine is an effective method for the treatment of headaches whether they are acute or chronic. We invite all to go to our website to learn more and to make an appointment to come in. Our center is called Master Lu's Health Center and the website is www.luhealthcenter.com
So how do we help with headaches? There are many different methods to help with headaches. Many times there is medication that is given to alleviate the headaches. However, it all depends what is causing the headache. One alternative method to help alleviate headaches and treat the root of the problem is Chinese medicine.
There are five branches in Chinese medicine, acupuncture, herbs, food therapy, chinese massage, and exercise. A combination of acupuncture, eating right, herbs, and exercise can help with headaches.
According to Chinese medicine theory, there are a few reasons why someone would get a headache. Some of the factors that cause headaches according to Chinese medicine are exterior factors, trauma, and internal organ factors. Exterior factors are wind-cold or wind-heat. The signs and symptoms not only include headaches, but also include common cold signs and symptoms. Internal factors include the internal organs of the body mainly the liver, spleen, and kidney. There is a disharmony between these three organs which in turn may cause a deficiency or excess and will cause a headache. Trauma to the head will certainly cause headaches either acute or chronic. Most chronic headaches like migraine headaches are mainly related to the imbalance of the internal organs.
The treatments that are most effective are acupuncture, herbs, Chinese massage, and nutrition. Utilizing these treatments will treat the root of the problem so there should not be any reoccurring headaches. A Chinese doctor can examine you to determine which is the best method to treat the headaches. However, in my own clinical practice I have found that acupuncture and herbs in combination are effective for the treatment of headaches.
Chinese medicine is an effective method for the treatment of headaches whether they are acute or chronic. We invite all to go to our website to learn more and to make an appointment to come in. Our center is called Master Lu's Health Center and the website is www.luhealthcenter.com
Monday, November 2, 2009
Simple remedy for the common cold
Chinese medicine physicians have been treating the common cold for over 3,000 years. There have been many different herbs and herbal formulas that have been used effectively for the common cold and flu symptoms.
According to Chinese medical theory, the common cold starts from an exogenous pathogenic factor called wind. The wind will attack the body, and if the body's qi or energy isn't strong enough then cold like symptoms will arise. In Chinese medicine we differentiate different types of cold. The most common types of the common cold are called wind-cold or wind-heat.
Wind-cold is a type of common cold with the following signs and symptoms running nose, headache, body aches, cough, clear nasal discharge, floating pulse, and pink tongue. This is a very common type of cold. The use of acupuncture and Chinese herbs are very effective to help overcome this type of cold.
Wind-heat is another common type of common cold in Chinese medicine. The following signs and symptoms include sore throat, running nose with yellowish discharge, headache, body aches, floating and rapid pulse, and red tip on tongue. Acupuncture and Chinese herbs is also very effective to overcome this type of cold.
When someone has a simple cold there are some simple remedies that we can do at home. One remedy is to make ginger tea. Ginger tea will help warm the body and clear up the cold. To make ginger tea get a ginger root and cut it up then boil in a pot and afterwards add some honey. Drink the tea for a few days. If the cold is just starting or not too serious yet, this is a great and natural option to help overcome the cold. If you start to cough and have a sore throat, then you would want to make lemon tea. You would do the same thing for ginger tea, but with lemons. Remeber to add a little honey to sweeten it a little. Both ginger tea and lemon tea are effective simple methods to overcome the common cold.
To learn more or if you have any questions contact Master Lu's Health Center. The website is www.luhealthcenter.com
Hope to see you soon!
According to Chinese medical theory, the common cold starts from an exogenous pathogenic factor called wind. The wind will attack the body, and if the body's qi or energy isn't strong enough then cold like symptoms will arise. In Chinese medicine we differentiate different types of cold. The most common types of the common cold are called wind-cold or wind-heat.
Wind-cold is a type of common cold with the following signs and symptoms running nose, headache, body aches, cough, clear nasal discharge, floating pulse, and pink tongue. This is a very common type of cold. The use of acupuncture and Chinese herbs are very effective to help overcome this type of cold.
Wind-heat is another common type of common cold in Chinese medicine. The following signs and symptoms include sore throat, running nose with yellowish discharge, headache, body aches, floating and rapid pulse, and red tip on tongue. Acupuncture and Chinese herbs is also very effective to overcome this type of cold.
When someone has a simple cold there are some simple remedies that we can do at home. One remedy is to make ginger tea. Ginger tea will help warm the body and clear up the cold. To make ginger tea get a ginger root and cut it up then boil in a pot and afterwards add some honey. Drink the tea for a few days. If the cold is just starting or not too serious yet, this is a great and natural option to help overcome the cold. If you start to cough and have a sore throat, then you would want to make lemon tea. You would do the same thing for ginger tea, but with lemons. Remeber to add a little honey to sweeten it a little. Both ginger tea and lemon tea are effective simple methods to overcome the common cold.
To learn more or if you have any questions contact Master Lu's Health Center. The website is www.luhealthcenter.com
Hope to see you soon!
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