Acupuncture for Immune System Support
Our Immune System
Our immune system is our body’s defense against the viruses and bacteria that make us sick, as well as fighting problems from within our body, such as cancer cells.
There are many aspects of the immune system. These include the protective barriers that keep pathogens out, such as our skin or the lining of our digestive system. Another aspect is the specialized cells that prevent disease by attacking viruses and bacteria that enter our system. These include white blood cells and other immune cells. Our lymph system, spleen, and bone marrow also work to keep us healthy and strong.
The immune system is a complex network within our body that keeps us healthy. It protects us, but we can also work to keep our immune system functioning at its best.
How can we help support our Immune System?
Our immune system is always working to protect us from the viruses and bacteria that we encounter on a day to day basis. But our immune system needs support from us to stay strong.
One of the things that we can do to help our immune system stay strong is to get a good sleep. During sleep, we release proteins called cytokines. These cytokines signal and control the immune system, improving its function. If you have a better sleep, your immune system functions better.
Reducing stress and anxiety also helps support your immune system. When you are stressed or worried, the number of lymphocytes your body produces is decreased. Lymphocytes fight viruses, and when chronic stress leads to high cortisol levels, then your lymphocytes are affected.
Getting outside is also very important in boosting our immune systems. When we are outside we get vitamin D from sunlight, which boosts our immune system. Sunlight doesn’t just provide us with vitamin D, it also energizes cells called T-cells that help fight infections. In addition, the sun supports your immune system indirectly by affecting your circadian rhythms. When you spend more time outside, sunlight triggers your internal body clock to work better, leading to improved sleep.
Good eating habits and exercise also boost our immune system. Staying active and eating healthy foods keeps our system strong and better able to fight off infections.
What are the signs of a weakened Immune System?
These may be signs of a weakened immune system:
- frequent colds/flu’s (more than 2-3 times per year)
- feeling fatigued and run down
- unhealthy hair and skin
- slow healing of injuries
How can acupuncture strengthen your Immune System?
Acupuncture works in different ways to boost your immune system. To directly affect your immune system, acupuncture stimulates your immune response and strengthens your body to improve your resistance to infection.
In addition, we can treat underlying issues that can lead to a weakened immune system, such as poor sleep, stress, or anxiety.
How many treatments are needed to support your Immune System?
When you come in for an acupuncture treatment, we will discuss your health history in detail. Every person is different, so the number of treatments needed varies. Acupuncture treatment is cumulative, meaning that each treatment builds on the previous treatment. This leads to a stronger effect after you have had a series of treatments. In general, it is a good idea to try at least three treatments to see how acupuncture works for you.
What techniques help with immune system
Acupuncture, gua sha, and cupping may all be used during your treatment. Gua sha and cupping both directly stimulate the skin to promote an immune response, and can be combined with the acupuncture needling portion of your treatment.
Acupressure points you can use at home to help boost your immune system
There are a number of different acupoints that you can apply acupressure to at home. Take a few moments to apply pressure to one or all of the acupuncture points, for about 30 seconds in each location. You can repeat the process one to three times, taking five to ten minutes in total.
Note: If you are pregnant, please avoid self-acupressure. Acupressure and Acupuncture are safe during pregnancy, but it is best to be supervised by a Registered Acupuncturist.
Anmian – The name of this point translates as Peaceful Sleep. Anmian is located on your head, behind the earlobe. Run your finger behind your earlobe and you will find a small depression where the acupoint is located.
This acupuncture point helps with improved sleep. If you are suffering from insomnia, dream disturbed sleep, or anxiety, this is a beneficial point for you.
Large Intestine 11 (Qu Chi) – This point is found at your elbow. When your palm is face-up and your arm is bent, it is found at the outside edge of the crease of your elbow.
This acupuncture point is often used for reducing stress, boosting the immune system, and fighting off fever, sore throat, and headaches.
Large Intestine 4 (He Gu) – This point is located on the top of your hand between your thumb and your first finger.
This acupuncture point is quite well known for treating pain, especially due to headaches, and is good for supporting the immune system. It is often used with Liver 3 to reduce stress and eliminate pain.
Lung 7 (Lieque) – This acupuncture point is found on the side of the forearm, just below your wrist in line with your thumb.
This acupoint is used for fighting off illnesses such as colds and flu’s, and is generally good for symptoms in the head area.
Ren 17 (Shanzhong) – this point is found on the midline of your chest, at approximately the level of the 4th rib (at nipple height in men)
This acupuncture point is good for improving energy and for conditions affecting the chest.
Stomach 36 (Zusanli) – this point is found on the outside of the leg, just below the knee, at the edge of the shinbone.
This acupoint is used as a general wellness point. It is a very powerful acupuncture point that is used for strengthening the body and improving energy.
Liver 3 (Taichong) – This point is found on the foot, in the depression between the big toe and the second toe.
This acupuncture point is good for relieving stress and anxiety, and is often used with Large intestine 4 in a powerful combination to move energy and relieve headaches.
Studies of acupuncture and the immune system
Acupuncture can help your body become strong enough to fight future infections. Studies have shown the effectiveness of acupuncture to improve the body’s immune function, with results lasting up to a month after treatment.
- Acupuncture and Immunity
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4540978/
- Effect of acupuncture treatment on the immune function impairment found in anxious women
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17265549/
- Research Progress on the Mechanism of the Acupuncture Regulating Neuro-Endocrine-Immune Network System