Conditions Treated
Common Cold & Flu
Strengthen your immune system and recover faster with Eastern medicine
Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) have been used for thousands of years to treat and prevent colds and flu. Rather than simply masking symptoms, Eastern medicine works to strengthen the body's defensive energy (Wei Qi), clear pathogens, and restore balance so you recover faster and get sick less often.
Understanding Colds & Flu in Eastern Medicine
In TCM, the common cold is understood as an invasion of external pathogens — Wind-Cold or Wind-Heat — that overwhelm the body's defensive Qi. Wind-Cold presents with chills, stiff neck, clear nasal discharge, and body aches. Wind-Heat presents with fever, sore throat, yellow mucus, and thirst. Accurate differentiation allows the practitioner to select the precise acupuncture points and herbal formulas that match your specific pattern, clearing the pathogen efficiently and preventing it from penetrating deeper into the body.
Symptoms Commonly Treated
- Runny or stuffy nose
- Sore throat and cough
- Chills, fever, and body aches
- Headache and sinus pressure
- Fatigue and low energy
- Ear congestion
- Lingering cough after illness
- Frequent or recurring colds
How We Treat Colds & Flu
Treatment is most effective when started at the first sign of illness. Acupuncture points along the Lung and Large Intestine meridians are used to release the exterior, dispel Wind, and restore the flow of Qi. Herbal formulas — such as the classic Yin Qiao San for Wind-Heat or Gui Zhi Tang for Wind-Cold — are often prescribed to accelerate recovery. For patients who suffer from frequent colds, a course of preventive treatment between illnesses can significantly strengthen Wei Qi and reduce susceptibility. Dietary and lifestyle guidance is also provided to support the immune system year-round.
The World Health Organization (WHO) lists the common cold, acute rhinitis, and sinusitis among the conditions for which acupuncture has been shown to be effective.
Feeling Under the Weather?
Early treatment gets the best results. Contact us to schedule an appointment at the first sign of a cold or flu.