It's that time of the year when people become susceptible to colds. One of the main symptoms of a cold is that pesky cough. It can be dry, productive or it is exacerbated by your cold if you have a chronic condition such as asthma. In any case, it is running you down.
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) views a cough as main a disorder of the Lung. The Lung may be "attacked" from an invasion of Wind, Cold, Heat, Damp or Dryness. It may also be that the Lung's Qi energy is deficient; it's job of moving Qi and protecting the body's defenses is down.
According to TCM, there are many possible causes for a cough. There are also many different ways to treat it. Treatment depends on your signs and symptoms. Your practitioner will look at the subtleties of YOUR cough and how YOU feel? After the assessment a diagnosis is made and the appropriate points are chosen.
Signs and symptoms we look for (including a tongue and pulse diagnosis):
• Cough: chronic, barking or dry
• Fever, chills or both
• Body ache
• Mucous: Clear, runny, yellow or green. Nose stuffed. Sneezing.
• Throat: Scratchy or sore throat
• Sweat: Lack of, profuse, daytime or nighttime
• Headache
• Thirst
• Profuse white sputum
• Fullness of the chest, Shortness of breath, Asthma, Chest oppression
• Fatigue
• Weak voice
• Catch colds easily
• Pale complexion. Red cheeks
For example, a client comes in and complains of: fever & chills (but feels mainly chilled), body ache, stuffy nose with clear runny mucus, sneezing, scratchy throat, a headache and is not sweating. The Tongue presents: thin white coat. Pulse feels: Floating, possibly a little tight
Your practitioner will conclude that there is a Wind-Cold invasion. Two of the main points used in this diagnosis are:
Lung 7 and
Large Intestine 4. These points help to push out this invasion and begin the healing process.
Cupping and moxabustion may also be apart of this treatment to expel the invasion.
A few suggestions to help prevent Wind-Cold and boost your body’s defenses:
• Wear a scarf around your neck to prevent the Wind-Cold invasion. It will also keep you warm.
• Ensure that you eat warming foods such as soups, cook with ginger and decrease raw foods consumption.
• Honey helps to soothe a dry and irritating cough
TCM has been effective in treating coughs and colds. It is best to treat as soon as the symptoms become noticeable. Most importantly prevention is key.
If you have any questions regarding this please feel free to
contact me.
