Thirteen years ago, almost to the day, I opened the door to A Balanced Crane Acupuncture Clinic here in Breckenridge.  My primarily commitment then, as it remains today, was to educate my community about natural health care, what it can treat and how it can be used for preventative health care.  In other words, how you can not only maintain good health, but how to be motivated, creative, and enthusiastic along life’s journey!  So to diverge from the current symptoms of conditions such as seasonal allergies, I would like to reassure my patients and community in light of the recent swine flu scare.  I would like to inform the members of my community that there are very effective ways to be proactive about preventing and treating the flu.   I wish to provide knowledge and some peace of mind.

Prevention should be the first line of defense.  Strengthening one’s immune system, not only by including healthy foods in one’s diet and avoiding processed foods and sugar,  but by taking nutritional supplements under the direction of a qualified practicioner (not off the internet!), should be the initial protocol.   Boasting one’s immunity is not a last minute effort, ideally it should be something that people strive towards in their daily routine.   Keeping your body free of toxins and maintaining a healthy colon is important in creating an environment that can defend itself from disease.  If one’s defense systems are not strong enough to fight off an illness such as the flu, then natural treatments are safe, effective, and available.   Symptoms of illness are a message that one’s body is out of balance.   Acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine are highly effective in restoring balance and resolving symptoms including high fever, cough, chills, body aches, nasal congestion, headache, and sore throat.   Homeopathic remedies are also safe and useful methods with which to address the flu.

Most people are familiar with using the western herbs echinacea and goldenseal, for prevention and treatment of illness.  But it is important to know that there are many other, and much stronger and more effective Chinese herbal prescriptions available to address the flu.  Everyone knows to take their vitamin C, but what type of vitamin C and in combination with which other supplements are important questions to ask your health care practicioner.  What is the role of probiotics, such as acidopholis, in strengthening one’s immune system?  Again, it is important to consult with a qualified practicioner to get the best and safest natural treatments available for both prevention and treatment of acute illness.   Utilize your natural health care resources!  Ask questions, get answers and peace of mind!