Stay fit throughout winter Part 4: Give a Boost to Your Immune System

Stay fit throughout the winter Part 4: Give a Boost to Your Immune System by Acupressure

Besides the well-known measures such as regular, moderate exercise in the fresh air, contrast showers or sauna sessions, adequate sleep and regular washing of hands, what else can you do to strengthen your immune system or to relieve any cold symptoms that occur?

Do you know acupressure?

As a technique of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), acupressure can be seen as the forerunner of acupuncture. Since no needles are used here, as is the case with acupuncture, acupressure can also be used by laypersons themselves to activate the body’s self-healing powers, relieve cold symptoms and harmonize physical or mental imbalance.

In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) it is assumed that life energy (Qi) flows through the body in channels, the meridians. Illness occurs when this energy can no longer flow freely. Pathogenic factors that cause disease can be external influences such as cold, heat or moisture, but internal factors such as emotions or an unhealthy lifestyle can also weaken the body.

With acupressure, the points on the meridians are stimulated by applying pressure with the fingers. Most points can be felt quite easily because they are slightly more sensitive to pain than the surrounding tissue. One of the most well-known points is the “large intestine 4” point. It lies on the outside of the hand between the thumb and forefinger at the highest point of the muscle when you put your thumb and forefinger together. This point can be used for cold symptoms, headaches or shoulder pain. Try it out!

You can do acupressure yourself without much effort. A briefing by an experienced doctor or non-medical practitioner makes sense in order to know the exact localization of the points and effects. Certain points should be avoided, especially during pregnancy.

In the next post you can read more about acupressure for cold symptoms.