Fall Leaves You Depleted-Immune Boosting With Acupuncture

All seasons have an associated natural element, emotion and organ. Acupuncturists examine these associations to determine whether a patient is appropriately adjusting to a seasonal shift.

 Fall is the season of Metal. We think of metal as a strong substance, very definitive and embodying a great deal of restraint. Similarly, Fall is about getting clear on what really matters, letting go of the excesses that we may have allowed ourselves in Summer. The descending quality of Fall also is evident in the season’s associated emotion, grief. Fall is a time of letting go. A tendency toward sadness—a pulling inward as we grieve the separation from the inessential—is normal as the weather dims. It’s the inability to settle into this emotional shift, or transition out of it, that suggests an imbalance. Looking at emotional health in this way is helpful for determining not only what we need but also what we don’t need.

We are also predisposed to disharmonies of the organ system associated with Fall, Lung. Lung is considered the most exterior organ; it controls the skin and is the first line of defense against external pathogenic factors. As the weather turns cold and the wind picks up, the Lung organ is extremely vulnerable. This is why fall is such a popular time for the onset of respiratory infections and dry skin. Acupuncturists are big on recommending scarves in the fall, as the neck is especially susceptible to invading cold and wind. From an energetic standpoint, the Lung system has a descending function. Fall—a season of passivity, of coming down from the heightened energy of Summer—also has a descending energetic quality.

This dual force of downward energy can easily compromise Lung function, leading to such symptoms as cough, shortness of breath, congestion, fatigue, and dry skin problems. Lung 7 is a key acupuncture point for treating cold and flu symptoms, including cough, sore throat, chills and fever, nasal congestion, headache, and stiff neck.

In acupuncture, many of these symptoms are caused by a Wind invasion. Lung 7 works by helping to expel Wind from the body. Wind invades through the back of the neck, which is why Lung 7 is the go-to point for that stiff-neck feeling we associate with a cold coming on. It’s also why acupuncturists are always cautioning their patients to wear scarves. Regular acupuncture treatments, many of which are likely to include Lung 7 this time of year, are ideal for keeping your immune system strong throughout the winter. But if you know Lung 7, you can supplement treatments with simple immune-boosting self-acupressure whenever you want. Just press the point firmly or use a circular motion to massage the area.

 Text TOO Much? Try Lung 7 for Thumb Pain

 In addition to helping with immunity, Lung 7 is a great point for thumb and wrist pain caused by too much texting. The trajectory of the Lung channel—the acupuncture meridian on which Lung 7 falls—maps almost exactly to the pain patterns that many people develop from excessive thumb texting. This article on trigger point acupuncture for “BlackBerry thumb” shows some of those patterns. In the rare moments when you’re not using your phone, massage Lung 7 to help preserve your thumbs, hands, and wrists. This works for non-texting related thumb, hand, and wrist pain, too. Some cases of carpal tunnel, for example, depending on where the pain is, can be helped by Lung 7.