Your Immune System, Your Lung Qi…
What is Lung Qi?
Qi is our life force energy. Lung Qi is the lifeforce energy of our Lungs.
Signs/Symptoms of Weak Lung Qi-
Allergies
Asthma
Coughing
Skin rashes
Prone to sickness
Sensitive to cold weather
Weak voice, worse with exertion
In TCM, the Lungs open to the Skin. The Skin is like an extension of the Lungs.
The skin is the last layer of protection for us from the outside pathogens. It protects us from “evils” such as wind and cold.
There is something called Wei Qi…
Wei Qi-
Wei Qi is our immunity-it is seen as the most outer layer of a fortress, think orcs (wei qi) defending the castle (your body).
As your body is weakened by poor lifestyle habits,
or even heavy grieving our Wei Qi immunity weakens. *Grief or Sorrow is the emotion tied to the Lungs.
So, poor sleep, infrequent eating habits, and the emotion sorrow, can all compromise this energy.
*In TCM, each organ is assigned an emotion.
…And so can being exposed to extreme elements of nature too long.
Extensive periods of time spent in damp weather can eventually seep into our Wei Qi and lower the immunity.
Some may need to be exposed for the purpose of their work, i.e., fishing, construction, etcetera.
So What Can You Do?
If you are prone to being in extreme temperatures or conditions for extensive periods of time, there is still help:
1. Cover your body where you can to protect it from wind, damp and cold exposure. Wear a scarf or have it with you to drape over your head or shoulders to avoid too much sun.
Wrap a shawl or heavy scarf over your shoulders, nape of neck and upper back. The upper back “Shu” points are easily attacked with harsh weather. Acupuncturists know it is important to cover these points in order to protect our Wei Qi!
–This is why you notice so many acupuncturists almost always wear a scarf.–
2.Take vitamins, minerals and supplements or herbs that help with immunity.
Read why You NEED Vitamin D Here
3.You can counter this somewhat by getting extra sleep and rest.
Read Acupuncture helps Build Your Immune System Here
4.Eat when your body needs it-and eat more nutritiously dense foods for more energy (and eat with the seasons).
5.Listen to your body when it tells you it’s “break time” or go to bed early, instead of just bullying it into unreasonable demands.
6.Avoid adding extra stressors to your life that are not required of you!
Example, If you are exhausted, stop volunteering.
…You know, less spinning plates to keep up in the air.
–If constant multi-tasking really is a contest… the prize is exhaustion and eventual illness.–
“Follow the Chicken.”
This is really about an everyday healthy, balanced lifestyle.
In TCM we say, “Follow the Chicken.” This means, live like the chicken lives. Chicken gets up when the sun rises, goes to bed when the sun goes down or if weather tells it that it’s time to seek shelter.
The chicken eats when it is hungry. It doesn’t try to do “just one more thing.”
The chicken takes a rest when it needs to. It does not have electric lights to turn on to extend the day or electronic devices to look at when it should be sleeping. If you want to avoid burn-out and the sickness that comes with it, go to bed early when you feel like it.
Why did the Chicken cross the Road?
To go home and get tucked into bed early!
For us Minnesotans, going to bed at 9:00 may be appropriate. It gets dark early at night during the winter months here.
Friday nights when our friends want us to stay out late, it is okay to duck out or “chicken out” early…
-c’mon , admit that I made you smile with that last one-
Our older selves will thank us for caring for this body, maybe tomorrow, maybe next week, maybe even our 80-year-old selves!
Written by Aleesha Ackerman, LAc
Thanks for Reading!
Aleesha Ackerman is a certified and state licensed acupuncturist with a Master’s degree in acupuncture. She also holds a Bachelor’s degree from Hamline University. Aleesha owns and operates Aleesha D Acupuncture clinic for Pain and Women’s Health in Anoka, MN.
She became interested in acupuncture and holistic medicine when acupuncture cured her of debilitating migraine pain-many years after an auto collision with a semi-truck. Aleesha specializes in treating acute, chronic pain, digestion and Women’s Health by treating the root cause and by treating the whole individual. Women come to her everyday with Infertility, hot flashes, mood imbalance, low libido and low energy.
Patients at Aleesha D Acupuncture report feeling cared for, listened to and are happy to get the much-needed pain and stress relief from their treatments!
Why wait? Start Your Relief Today- contact Aleesha D Acupuncture in Anoka today to schedule your appointment!
Feel Better, Move Forward
Aleesha D Acupuncture is located in historic downtown Anoka at 229 Jackson St.
DISCLAIMER
This article is not intended to replace any health care. No information on this site should be relied on to determine medical diagnosis or treatment for a medical condition. As with any health concerns, always be sure to consult your health care provider with any health concerns.
Licensed Acupuncturist in Anoka Serving Andover, Anoka, Big Lake, Champlin, Circle Pines, Columbus, Coon Rapids, Dayton, Dellwood, East Bethel, Elk River, Forest Lake, Fridley, Ham Lake, Isanti, Lino Lakes, Little Canada, Maple Grove, Minneapolis, Mounds View, North Oaks, Now Then, Oak Grove, Osseo, Ostego, Ramsey, Saint Francis, Saint Paul, Shoreview, Spring Lake Park, Vadnais Heights and White Bear Lake.
Zip codes we treat: 55109, 55110, 55112, 55127, 55304, 55303, 55309, 55014, 55316, 55433, 55448, 55327, 55330, 55432, 55040, 55401, 55402, 55403, 55404, 55406, 55407, 55408, 55409, 55410, 55411, 55412, 55413, 55416, 55418, 55419, 55421, 55422, 55011, 55311, 55369, 55102, 55103, 55104, 55105, 55106, 55107, 55108, 55101, 55111, 55113, 55114, 55116, 55117, 55120, 55124, 55125, 55126, 55127, 55128, 55115, 55118, 55119, 55121, 55122, 55123, 55126, 55129, 55130, 55146, 55133, 55144, 55145, 55155, 55164, 55165, 55166, 55166, 55168, 55170, 55175, 55187, 55188, 55171, 55172, 55014, 55025,
