When you hear “immune system” the first thing you probably think of is sickness. The immune system’s job is to fight pathogens and keep us healthy. In Western medicine there is a focus on disease treatment and less on prevention.
But do you only think about immune function as it relates to only sickness?
Chinese medicine perspective on immunity focuses on a person’s constitutional strength versus the strength of a pathogen. In TCM the Wei Qi is the defensive qi, associated with your body’s first line of defense when fighting off a pathogen. Chinese medicine has a focus on preventative health and wellness through sleep, adequate nutrition, and exercise.
When a pathogen invades at the Wei Qi level symptoms might include occipital headache, aversion to cold, aches, stiffness. Hm…chills, stuffy nose. Sounds like the onset of a common cold, right?
But dig deeper than making mediocre lifestyle choices and expecting our immune system to pick up the slack.
Make conscious decisions every day to support your immune system. So when it comes time to fight off sickness or disease – it’s ready!
You should know the difference between short term (fighting off sickness) and long term (preventative) immunity.
Sickness shouldn’t scare you. You shouldn’t live in fear of germs, disease, or illness. You should live in a way that supports your constitution through a practical, healthy lifestyle. What comes to mind when you think of how to help your immune system? Have you ever pushed yourself too hard and gotten sick? Have you ever eaten poor quality food and alcohol and felt yourself get weak?
Your body doesn’t HAVE an immune system. You ARE an immune system.
Everything in the body is connected.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Every organ system relies on every other organ system to function.
Your respiratory system has a role in immune function.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Your lymphatic system has a role in immune function.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Your digestive system has a role in immune function.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Your nervous system has a role in immune function. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Your circulatory system has a role in immune function.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Optimizing your health will require different strategies than your sister, your neighbor, or your child, based on what’s going on in YOUR body. There is no “one size fits all” approach. There is no one supplement or superfood that will “boost” your immune function.⠀⠀
If you’d like to know more about supporting your immune system lifestyle interventions, mental health care, supplements, and acupressure for immune support then check out my How to Fortify Your Immune System So Sickness Doesn’t Scare You Masterclass
I’ll leave you with this affirmation:
“Everything I do to take care of myself is exactly what my body needs to stay healthy.”⠀⠀
I'm a licensed acupuncturist and holistic health practitioner specializing in functional fertility, women's health and Chinese medicine. I help women get to the root cause of hormonal imbalances, cycle issues, and unexplained infertility challenges so they can feel empowered in their bodies again.
At Connected Healing, we blend the ancient wisdom of Chinese Medicine with the modern science of functional medicine to create personalized, whole-person care through acupuncture, functional lab testing, integrative care, nutrition, lifestyle shifts and more! If you’re feeling frustrated, confused, or overlooked in your journey, we're here to help you find answers, hope, and healing.
Connected Healing is a leading integrative therapy, Chinese medicine, and functional medicine practice based in the Franklin, Wisconsin that specializes in fertility, women’s health and whole body, integrative care.
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7441 S. 27th Street, Suite 102, Franklin, WI 53132
contact@connectedhealingllc.com