Acupuncture for Boosting Your Immune System

It’s that time of year again, back to school and often a more grueling weekly routine.  This is also the time of year that more viruses start to make their rounds through schools and the workplace.  Here are a few tips to keep your immune system in good working order this fall and winter:

• Prioritize a healthy sleep pattern – this is the first and some can argue the most important part of our day when you’re talking about immune system health.  Aim for 8 hours minimum per night, you will feel so much better that it becomes an easy habit to continue. 
• Clean up your diet – minimizing sugars and gluten for two weeks is a great short cleanse to get your gut biome, metabolism and blood sugar back on track.   Adding in extra boosts of foods like bone broth, green veggies and healthy fats will give your body the fuel it needs to run optimally this time of year. 
• Get Acupuncture - the National Institute of Health and many published studies concur that acupuncture has far-reaching effects on immune system health from increasing red and white cell counts in compromised patients to increasing lymphocyte proliferation and natural killer cell activity in patients fighting illness.  Other effects of acupuncture relax the body, help a person sleep and promote healthy digestion all of which support a healthy immune system.
• Stock up on your Chinese herbs – we utilize many different herbal formulas to not only boost the immune system but to also treat colds and flus symptoms once you’ve come down with one.  Different herbs act to dry excessive mucus, relieve sore throat and sinus pressure, clear lung congestion and open airways.  Call or stop in for an herbal consult if you're interested in learning about what can help you this fall.