Bulletproof Your Immune System With Chinese Medicine
No one could have imagined the world would change so much because of an invisible threat, the Coronavirus–COVID-19. This new normal has made individuals face the imperative for good health and wellbeing. We are currently living in a world that requires us to think about the choices we make which influence our immune systems. Now more than ever, it is important to focus on strengthening our immune systems. Chinese Medicine can do that for you.

How Chinese Medicine Can Help Improve Your Immune System
At the moment, there is no cure for COVID-19, and the spread has continued to grow. Knowing this is scary, but that doesn’t mean you are powerless. You can wear a mask. You can social distance. You can wash your hands regularly. You can work on bulletproofing your immune system. These choices can keep you safe from contracting the virus as well as prepare your body to fight off whatever the external world throws your way.
Chinese Medicine treats an extensive array of health conditions, including immune deficiency. Our Acupuncture Physicians at Lakewood Ranch Acupuncture and Wellness can help strengthen your immune system with the use of acupuncture, cupping, supplements, homeopathic immune-boosting injections, and Chinese herbal formulas. The Acupuncture Physicians utilize specific acupuncture points throughout the body’s meridian system to stimulate and circulate defensive Qi, a type of energy linked to strengthening immunity. When acupuncture points are stimulated, there is an increase of red blood cells, white blood cells, defensive-fighting T-cells, enhanced humoral immunity or antibody-mediated immunity, and cell-mediated immunity. All these effects assist in the body’s ability to ward off outside pathogens and restore the body to good health. Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine help bring the body back into homeostasis or balance, promote healing, and build a solid immune system.
Chinese Medicine can also help with the underlying causes of a dysfunctional or compromised immune system by reducing symptoms, speeding up the healing of infections, and promoting the body’s natural immune response. Some causes that contribute to a compromised immune system include stress, chronic pain, poor circulation, fatigue, impaired digestion, allergies, and smoking.

Reduce Stress
The pandemic has made life more stressful for most people causing increased anxiety and fear of the unknown. This kind of stress is taxing on the body. Your stress affects your immune system negatively. Acupuncture can be used to stimulate your body’s natural endorphins which will decrease your stress and give your better mental clarity. Serotonin is released in your body that directly affects mood. With regular treatments, your stress can be reduced and your immune system can function properly.
Pain Relief
Pain, especially chronic pain, is detrimental to your immune system. Acupuncture can help relieve pain with the release of natural-painkilling hormones, improve circulation, reduce inflammation, and promote new cell growth. Chinese Medicine will help speed up the healing process to relieve pain and prevent the weakening of your immune system.
Improve Circulation
Proper circulation ensures your immune system is functioning adequately. Nutrients like vitamins and minerals are delivered through your circulatory system and help keep your body strong. Good circulation ensures your body is disposing of toxins by stimulating lymphatic drainage. It also reduces inflammation to help with pain relief and makes it easier for your immune system to function so that you can be as healthy as possible. Your Acupuncture Physician is going to target your nervous system to spark your body’s circulation in order to improve your body’s defense system.
Boost Energy
People who choose Chinese Medicine experience a boost in energy because the body’s circulation is improved, underlying issues are treated, stress is reduced, and the quality of sleep is enhanced. With that additional energy, you can be more active allowing your body to rid itself naturally of bacteria and toxins even faster and keep you healthier. Your Acupuncture Physicians cannot force you to exercise, but they can provide you with the energy to exercise. This boost in energy can protect you from compromising your immune system.
Better Digestion
Acupuncture can provide help for those with digestive disorders. Acupuncture Physicians will choose acupuncture points that target the body’s natural peristalsis or natural movement within the digestive system. A dysfunctional digestive system directly affects the immune system because this is where many of the vitamins and minerals necessary to the health of the body are absorbed. If the absorption of nutrients is impaired, then the immune system will not be able to function properly. Chinese Medicine can ensure proper gut health which is vital for your natural defense.
Allergy Relief
When acupuncture is used for the treatment of allergies, the acupuncture points selected relieve the allergy symptoms and restore overall immunity through strengthening defensive qi.A deficiency of defensive qi causes typical allergy symptoms such as swelling, watery eyes, runny nose, sneezing, allergic eczema, and conjunctivitis. By strengthening the immune system and regulating defensive qi, the body can ward off these external allergens faster and restore the body to good health.
Quit Smoking
Smoking compromises your immune system. If you smoke, you might be addicted, and that makes stopping much harder. This habit not only hurts your immune system and leaves you vulnerable to other health problems.
Acupuncture can help control the jitters and the general stress a person can feel when he or she is trying to quit smoking. In essence, acupuncture can assist with quitting and make the process a little more bearable. Keep in mind you can always combine acupuncture with other aids aimed to overcome this addiction.

Chinese Herbs Aid in Immunity
Chinese herbal formulas can play an important role in strengthening the immune system. For example, ginseng and licorice root may be used to address stress. Orange peel and ginger are used to aid in digestive disorders. Chinese Medicine also makes use of herbs like astragalus, ganoderma, and cordyceps to help strengthen your immune system.
Each herbal formula is customized to your specific constitution, health conditions, and experienced symptoms. This is why it is important to consult your Acupuncture Physician before taking any herbal formula. Herbal formulas and acupuncture work together complimentary to heal the body. Ask your Acupuncture Physician about herbal formulas and supplements to enhance your body’s function and improve your immune system.
Next Step
If you have questions, want to learn more, or need an appointment, please contact us at Lakewood Ranch Acupuncture and Wellness. We are doing everything we can to provide optimal healthcare to the public and assist in strengthening everyone’s immune system to get through this time of hardship. Find out what makes Chinese Medicine exceptional!