Living with the seasons is an important part of a healthy lifestyle in Chinese Medicine. At this time of year my patients get a few extra acupuncture points to boost their immune system, some healthy food recommendations to fight the chill in the air and are introduced to our cool weather line of teas.

A lesser know but extremely effective “ancient Chinese secret” to avoid getting sick in the colder weather is to keep the head and neck covered. Once upon a time even in this country and in Europe hats and scarves were more than a fashion statement, they were a means of keeping healthy. Not so long ago they worried about “catching your death of cold”.

The head and neck are the location of acupuncture points that are entry points of illness into the body. Particularly illnesses that crop up with cold and windy weather. The Chinese have know for thousands of years the correlation to cold exposure and higher rate of cold weather illnesses.

Only recently has modern science recognized the effects of cold temperatures on the immune system. In a study published in the Proceedings of National Academy of Sciences USA (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4311828/) showed the differing rates of viral replication at hot and cold temperatures.

In Chinese Medicine chills are a sign of an “invading pathogen”'. Therefore, I tell my patients often if you are getting chills you are too cold, cover up or find a warmer place to be. At the point of chills and fever there is already a “battle” of your protective energy and an “invading pathogen” or illness starting.

Keeping your head and neck warm at all times in the winter is an easy way to maintain your immune system. Our immune systems are subject to the daily stresses, fatigue and at times less than healthy food we deal with on a daily basis, keeping warm and wearing adequate winter gear is a simple and easy way to take care of ourselves in the colder seasons.