Immunity Archives - Mend Acupuncture

Treating Long Haulers
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Treating Long Haulers

coronavirus, Immunity, Wellness

Treating Long Haulers

By BrianD|2022-11-15T14:05:19-05:00September 14th, 2021|Categories: coronavirus, Immunity, Wellness|Tags: Chinese medicine, covid, long hauler symptoms|

The last year and a half has been challenging for all of us. However, just like the night sky there is also light sprinkled in with the dark. An example of this light I would like to focus on is Chinese medicine’s success in treating “long hauler” symptoms of Covid-19. Covid-19 has been a challenge for standard care as we all know. One of the most difficult aspects of the virus for some are the symptoms that never seem to go away even after recovering from the initial illness. Most common long hauler symptoms that we see are shortness [...]

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Your Grandmother Was Right: Windy Cool Spring Days & the Danger of Catching Cold
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Your Grandmother Was Right: Windy Cool Spring Days & the Danger of Catching Cold

Immunity, Seasonal Changes, Wellness

Your Grandmother Was Right: Windy Cool Spring Days & the Danger of Catching Cold

By mca_sarah|2022-11-15T14:06:02-05:00April 5th, 2021|Categories: Immunity, Seasonal Changes, Wellness|Tags: colds, immunity, neck, spring, wind|

Photo by Khamkéo Vilaysing on Unsplash In Chinese Medicine, windy days can be the subtle difference between a powerful, clear-headed week and a drippy-head-cold-week. Wind on our neck and backs is thought to make us more susceptible to falling prey to one of the 200 strains of viruses that cause cold symptoms. In the classical texts that are the foundation of our medicine, Wind is considered one of the 'Six Evil Causes of Illness'. Dramatic? A bit. But consider a thousand years ago the serious threat of getting sick compared to current day. Here's the short of it: Windy days [...]

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Thoughts on the COVID vaccine: A conversation with Yan Jiang, MD, Ph.D, LAc
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Thoughts on the COVID vaccine: A conversation with Yan Jiang, MD, Ph.D, LAc

Acupuncturists, coronavirus, Immunity, Self-Care, Wellness

Thoughts on the COVID vaccine: A conversation with Yan Jiang, MD, Ph.D, LAc

By Yan Jiang|2022-11-15T14:06:19-05:00January 13th, 2021|Categories: Acupuncturists, coronavirus, Immunity, Self-Care, Wellness|Tags: ask an acu, coronavirus, covid-19|

We are all anxious to get back to life. And we now have the tool to help make that happen: two approved COVID-19 vaccines that have been proven to have over a 90% protection rate. Yet there are still community concerns of the potential short-term and long-term side effects that might lead to hesitation. Mend acupuncturist and clinic owner Sarah O'Leary sat down with one of our beloved acupuncturists Yan Jiang, MD, Ph.D, LAc about her thoughts on the COVID vaccine based on her vast professional experience as a physician, pharmacology researcher and now an acupuncturist of 11 years. [...]

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Winter Walks, What?
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Winter Walks, What?

coronavirus, Immunity, Organ, Seasonal Changes, Self-Care, Wellness

Winter Walks, What?

By Jaime Kauffman|2024-01-08T13:56:20-05:00December 15th, 2020|Categories: coronavirus, Immunity, Organ, Seasonal Changes, Self-Care, Wellness|Tags: acupuncturists, Baltimore, Chinese medicine, coronavirus, covid, covid-19, fall, nature, seasonal changes, TCM, trails, walking, winter|

Many Traditional Chinese Medicine practitioners consider Fall to be the premiere season for taking walks outside. Afterall, Fall is the season of the Lungs and Large Intestines, and the act of releasing and letting go seems to go hand-in-hand with walking. However, outdoor walks are monumentally beneficial every season, every day. Walking outside is a great way to circulate qi, strengthen the lungs, aid digestion, promote circulation, and clear the mind. In fact, during times of “brooding,” stress or anxiety, it’s been shown that taking a tree-lined walk changes blood flow in the brain to improve and enhance mood. However, [...]

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Your First Line of Defense: Wei Qi
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Your First Line of Defense: Wei Qi

coronavirus, History of Acupuncture, Immunity, Seasonal Changes, Self-Care, Wellness

Your First Line of Defense: Wei Qi

By mca_sarah|2022-11-15T14:06:20-05:00December 1st, 2020|Categories: coronavirus, History of Acupuncture, Immunity, Seasonal Changes, Self-Care, Wellness|Tags: Chinese medicine, fall, immunity, organs, TCM, wei qi, winter|

Immune function and strength from a Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) perspective is historically fascinating as well as relatable, even after 2,500 years of medical advancement. Immunity in TCM is influenced by several factors, one of which is by our defensive Wei Qi (distinguished from other types of qi or energy thought to circulate in our system, such as nutritional qi or ancestral qi). In Traditional Chinese Medicine, the body is thought of as its own microsystem, or more specifically its own “kingdom.” In the kingdom, every organ has a role and an assigned function. The Heart as the Ruler, [...]

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Lung 7: Broken Sequence
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Lung 7: Broken Sequence

acupoint, Acupressure, Allergies, Immunity, Mood, Seasonal Changes, Self-Care, Take Home TCM, Wellness

Lung 7: Broken Sequence

By Allyson Schurtz|2022-11-15T14:06:21-05:00November 10th, 2020|Categories: acupoint, Acupressure, Allergies, Immunity, Mood, Seasonal Changes, Self-Care, Take Home TCM, Wellness|Tags: acupoint, acupressure, aromapoint therapy, aromatherapy, Chinese medicine, fall, lung 7, lungs, metal, TCM|

Photo by Pedro Figueras In this challenging and tender season of life, the wisdom of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) provides an invaluable framework to finding balance within even the harshest climates. A core tenant of TCM is living in accordance with the seasons. We currently find ourselves in the Metal (Autumn) season during a Metal year (Metal Rat). Metal is the element associated with the Lungs and Large Intestine and the corresponding emotional themes of grief and letting go. Given this context, it seems no coincidence that we are experiencing a global respiratory pandemic. Many of us find ourselves processing [...]

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7 Steps for a Healthier Fall
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7 Steps for a Healthier Fall

coronavirus, Immunity, Organ, Seasonal Changes, Self-Care, Wellness

7 Steps for a Healthier Fall

By JaimeRoslyn|2022-11-15T14:06:39-05:00October 6th, 2020|Categories: coronavirus, Immunity, Organ, Seasonal Changes, Self-Care, Wellness|Tags: Chinese medicine, coronavirus, covid, covid-19, fall, seasonal changes, TCM|

According to Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), the human body is viewed as a microcosm of the natural world around us. We are inextricably linked, thus adjusting the way we live to the changing seasons is a must for maintaining good health and preventing illness. Since many experts believe that we're about to head into a particularly challenging immune-vulnerable Fall/Winter, it’s important that make some small shifts to stay optimally healthy. Any opportunity to boost overall wellness is great, boosting your immunity is even better. Here are six easy-to-do tips to prevent illness and live in harmony with the Fall season. [...]

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Mobilize Without Fear: Self-Care in the Time of Coronavirus
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Mobilize Without Fear: Self-Care in the Time of Coronavirus

coronavirus, Immunity, Self-Care, Take Home TCM

Mobilize Without Fear: Self-Care in the Time of Coronavirus

By gryph|2022-11-15T14:07:00-05:00March 18th, 2020|Categories: coronavirus, Immunity, Self-Care, Take Home TCM|Tags: coronavirus, covid-19, gryph & ivyrose, TCM, Traditional Chinese Medicine|

Gryph & IvyRose's pediatrician Stephen Cowan, MD offers this important Traditional Chinese Medicine perspective of mobilizing without fear in the time of coronavirus. There’s something missing from the information the CDC is offering right now that is more critical to our personal health than all the statistics. During my many years of primary care practice whenever flu came through town, I would call those newly diagnosed every day to see how they were doing. This served two purposes. It let them know that I was caring for them and this helped them feel less alone, AND it also helped [...]

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Beat the Bug
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Beat the Bug

Immunity, Self-Care, Take Home TCM

Beat the Bug

By mca_sarah|2022-11-15T14:07:00-05:00March 6th, 2020|Categories: Immunity, Self-Care, Take Home TCM|Tags: cold, Emily Telfair, flu, immunity, prevention, tips, treatment|

The following take home remedies are some of the most effective options for prevention of viral infections. And when prevention is not possible, potent formulations can help shorten virus duration and severity. Thanks to our go-to local Naturopathic expert, Dr. Emily Telfair of HeartSpace and to our own Chinese Medicine team for bringing these evidence-based remedies to the forefront in a key time to stock up and stimulate immune function. Please note: Flu and the recent COVID-19 virus both have the potential to be mild and quick or to become more serious and lead to further complications such as pneumonia. [...]

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Wei Qi & Tips to Boost Immunity
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Wei Qi & Tips to Boost Immunity

Immunity, Self-Care

Wei Qi & Tips to Boost Immunity

By mca_sarah|2024-01-24T13:18:38-05:00March 2nd, 2020|Categories: Immunity, Self-Care|Tags: immunity, tips, wei qi|

In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), the immune system is called Wei Qi (pronounced “way chee”). The Wei Qi is closely associated with the internal organs, specifically the lungs. When the energy of the lungs is well-balanced, Wei Qi is strong and can easily fight off any external attacks. In Traditional Chinese Medicine, the lungs dominate the skin and breathing. If lung function is deficient or compromised in any way, then the body is more open to external pathogens like viruses and bacteria. Common symptoms of decreased Wei Qi or immunity include coughing, sneezing, runny nose, watery eyes, sore throat, headaches, [...]

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