Most of us don’t pay attention to our immune system until we fall sick and go to the pharmacy to buy over-the-counter medications to get it back on track. You should know that your immune system is what protects your body from foreign invaders, keeping you strong and healthy.
By proactively giving attention to our immune system, we reduce the likelihood of falling sick, as well as other effects of a weakened immune system such as depression and anxiety.
In Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), the body’s immune system is called the Wei Qi (way chee). This is the body’s first line of defense against pathogens that would weaken the body including the common cold and flu. If your Wei Qi is strong, then your body can ward off these foreign invaders easily.
In TCM, acupuncture has been used as a therapy for thousands of years to boost and strengthen the Wei Qi (immune system). Research and studies have proven that regular acupuncture treatments can boost the immune system. Acupuncture can be used as a preventive measure or for treatment.
If you have been battling with constant ups and downs with cold, flu, or other inflammatory diseases, or you have been looking for a natural way to boost your immune system, keep reading to find out why, and how acupuncture can help.
The causes and effects of a weakened immune system
Some people are born with a weak immune system, while others may weaken their immune system due to diseases, medications they are required to take (such as chemotherapy), or lifestyle habits including an unhealthy diet, lack of regular exercise, or even stress.
Before we elaborate more on factors that can weaken the immune system, let’s consider the signs of a weakened immune system.
Your immune system is weak if…
- You always have a cold
- You always have digestion issues
- Your wounds are slow to heal
- You have frequent infections
- You always feel tired
- You always feel stressed
It’s okay for an adult to feel under the weather a few times in a year, but if you’re always catching a cold, that never outruns its course or comes back frequently, your immune system might be telling you it needs help.
Poor digestion is another sign of a weakened immune system. Did you know that approximately 70% of your immune system is located inside your gastrointestinal tract? All the good bacteria and microorganisms that reside in your gut work tirelessly to protect your gut from infection and support your immune system.
So, if you constantly have complaints such as constipation, gas, or frequent diarrhea, your immune system is likely under threat.
Whenever you have an injury to your skin, your body sends nutrient-rich blood to that area to promote skin regeneration and healing. If you notice that your wounds have a difficult time getting healed, it means that your immune system is weak, because the healing process is dependent on a strong immune system.
Having more frequent infections in a given year is another sign of a weakened system. For instance, scientists claim that if you have more than 4 ear infections in a year, or develop pneumonia two times a year amongst others, your immune system is compromised.
Stress and constant fatigue are also indicators that your immune system is weak. If your stress level is off the roof, and you’re always feeling tired even when you have had the right amount of sleep and rest, listen, because your immune system is giving you a signal. If your immune system is struggling, your energy levels are too.
What could be the cause…
From the signs we have looked at above, you might have an idea of some possible causes of a weakened immune system. Let’s talk about some of them.
You might be eating the wrong foods
An unbalanced diet is one of the chief causes of a weak system. If your body isn’t getting the right nutrients, how can it defend itself against infections?
Eating a lot of processed foods and carbohydrates, foods that are high in saturated fats, sugar, and salt, is definitely going to weaken your body defense. For one, all these foods will make you overweight, which will, in turn, lower your resistance to fight infections. Why? Being overweight reduces the number of white blood cells your body produces and prevents them from multiplying and producing the antibodies needed to fight off infections.
Instead, your diet should contain lots of fruits, vegetables, and nuts that have the required vitamins and nutrients that support your immune system.
You’re not exercising regularly
If you live a sendentary lifestyle—not exercising regularly and sitting most of the day— this might be the reason why your immune system is weak. Exercising regularly helps to strengthen your immune system, as it increases blood flow, reduces stress and inflammation, and strengthens antibodies. In other words, it helps your body fight off infections.
You’re not maintaining good personal hygiene
Are you washing your hands regularly? With the new reality of a COVID-ravaged world, everyone is stressing this because it’s so important. The pandemic has most of us washing and sanitizing our hands often to keep from contracting the virus. Now, imagine how keeping up with washing your hands regularly will prevent other infections from getting into your body.
Clean hands mean less work for your immune system when trying to protect you from diseases.
Stress and Emotional Trauma might just be another reason
If you’re always stressed constantly, you’re suppressing your immune system, and preventing it from producing the required antibodies to help prevent infections. Always take out time to de-stress. The first step is to identify your stress triggers and find ways to avoid them.
Emotional trauma such as the loss of a loved one or heartbreak or depression can weaken the immune system. If you’re experiencing emotional trauma of any kind, getting help and finding the right way to deal with it is necessary for preventing a weak immune system.
When your immune system is weak…
One of the major effects is its inability to fight off infections. When it can’t fight off infections, this will lead to the signs we talked about earlier.
Can acupuncture help your immune system? Let’s find out.
How Can Acupuncture Help Your Immune System
Research shows that regular acupuncture treatments help to support the immune system, and prevent one from falling sick frequently. This is because acupuncture treatments help to increase the number of T-cells the body produces. T cells are responsible for destroying harmful bacteria and viruses in the body.
There are specific acupuncture points to boost immunity in the body. When these points are pierced with the acupuncture needle, the brain is stimulated to think that an intruder has entered the body. In response, it increases the release of T-cells and white blood cells to ward off the intruder. This cellular response can last up to several days and weeks, preventing the body from falling sick.
In this study, research was done to investigate the effect of acupuncture on immune system impairment resulting from anxiety in women. It revealed that impair immune functions were significantly improved by acupuncture. The most favorable effects of acupuncture on the immune functions appear 72 hours after the single session and persist one month after the end of the complete treatment.
Another study in 2013 that reviewed existing studies on acupuncture and immunity revealed that acupuncture was effective in the modulation of immunity.
What Makes Acupuncture Effective
According to this article, Acupuncture and Immunity, inflammation is usually the first change noticed in many kinds of diseases such as cancer. As the immune system and response of the human body are influenced by such diseases, the anti-inflammation effect of acupuncture makes acupuncture very important in treating diseases.
In addition, TCM focuses on prevention before the onset of a disease or beginning treatment in the early stages. Conventional or western medicine focuses more on treating the symptoms after the onset of the disease.
Acupuncture is effective in boosting immunity because it can be used as a preventive measure, as well as treatment for a weakened immune system.
Acupuncture can control and regulate immune function and treat the underlying cause of diseases by lowering symptoms, speeding up the healing of infections, and normalizing the body’s immune response. Acupuncture can increase the levels of interferon in the body, which is one of the immune system’s messenger hormones.
As we discovered from the studies above, the response by the brain due to stimulation from acupuncture needles can last several days or weeks. This ensures that your immune system is always strong enough to fight off infections. Regular acupuncture therapy can be effective in treating allergies, colds, asthma, rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, and infections.
Don’t Wait For Your Immune System To Get Weak, Start Getting Acupuncture Treatments Today
Your immune system doesn’t have to start showing signs of weakness before you strengthen it. Waiting until it does, may cause damage to your body, in terms of diseases, which could have been prevented.
If you are already experiencing the signs of a weakened immune system, acupuncture can help restore and boost your immune system to fight off infections.
At Autonomic Acupuncture, we help clients boost their immune systems through our unique acupuncture process. If you’re ready to see how this works, then get in touch for free to discuss your needs.
Your total well-being is our priority.
FAQs on Acupuncture
Do acupuncture needles hurt?
No. Acupuncture needles do not hurt. Most people don’t feel anything when the needles are inserted, while others might feel a slight pinch. Acupuncture needs are solid, and at the same time flexible. They are very thin, about the size of the width of two hair strands.
However, there are certain therapeutic effects associated with acupuncture. Not everyone experiences them though. This could include heaviness, light cramping, tingling, or electric sensation traveling along a meridian. If you experience any discomfort, it is usually minor and only lasts a short time.
How safe is Acupuncture?
Acupuncture is one of the safest forms of medicine. Acupuncturists have to be certified before they can practice.
In addition, acupuncture doesn’t have side effects. The minor bruise at the point of entry when using acupuncture needles cannot be compared to the risk and side effects of pharmaceutical drugs.
How Often do I need to come in for acupuncture treatments?
The duration and frequency of your sessions will be based on your medical condition. While some patients may need to come in frequently, others may not. During your consultation, we will create a custom treatment plan for you.
How does acupuncture work?
Acupuncture, according to TCM, works by balancing the body’s Qi. Qi is a type of bioenergy that flows along the meridians. When Qi is obstructed, it manifests as an imbalance or sickness. If you have a health problem, it means that some aspect of your body’s system is malfunctioning. At Autonomic Acupuncture, we can diagnose this imbalance… and then correct it.
According to Western medical theory, Acupuncture appears to function by activating certain areas of the brain. It also triggers the release of natural biomolecules including neurotransmitters, vasodilators, and hormones. The particular mechanisms that cause this are unknown, but the consequences are quantifiable.
Where do the needles go?
Acupuncture needles are inserted into the body at certain acupuncture points. Needles are typically put at or below the elbows and at or below the knees, depending on the medical condition. The back, abdomen, and ears are other common spots.
Can I receive acupuncture when I am pregnant?
Acupuncture is safe to use during pregnancy and can help with a variety of prenatal and postpartum issues. Because some acupuncture points cannot be used safely during pregnancy, it’s crucial to tell your acupuncturist if you’re expecting. Acupuncture is highly recommended throughout the first trimester to aid embryo growth, avoid miscarriage, and manage any other problems that may arise.