Immune Health Tips and Tricks

While November has brought us unseasonably warm weather, colder air is just around the corner. Now is the perfect time to focus on ways to keep ourselves warm and healthy. In this edition, we’ll explore how acupuncture, appropriate clothing, and herbal medicine can help support your immune system as temperatures drop. Plus, we’ll debunk some common acupuncture myths to deepen your understanding of this amazing practice.

As we enter November, a month dedicated to gratitude, I want to take a moment to express how thankful I am for each of my patients. Your trust in me to support your health and well-being means the world to me. It is truly a privilege to be part of your wellness journey, and I am grateful for the opportunity to serve you. Thank you for being such an integral part of my practice!

With gratitude, Brittany Smith

Dressing Appropriately: First and foremost, dressing appropriately for the colder months is essential for maintaining health and preventing illness. As temperatures begin to drop, make sure to keep extra layers on hand. Fall can be tricky, with warmer afternoons that might make you feel like you don’t need that extra sweater, but consider layering so you’re prepared for the chillier mornings and evenings. By wearing multiple layers, you can easily adjust to changing temperatures throughout the day, adding or removing clothing as needed.

In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), specific areas of the body are particularly vulnerable to external elements. For instance, keeping the back of your neck warm and covered is believed to protect against what’s known as "evil wind." According to TCM, wind can easily enter the body through the neck and upper back, especially when these areas are exposed, leading to symptoms like chills, stiffness, or even colds. A scarf or high collar can serve as a barrier, helping to maintain warmth and guard your immune system. Similarly, covering the lower back can help preserve your body’s energy, preventing cold from sapping your vitality.

Acupuncture: Acupuncture boosts immunity by enhancing immune cell function and moderating the body’s stress response. It stimulates the activity of immune cells like T-cells and natural killer (NK) cells, which are essential in fighting infections and abnormal cells. Acupuncture also helps regulate cytokines, the signaling proteins that balance inflammation and immune responses. Additionally, it supports immune health by reducing stress, calming the nervous system, and stabilizing the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, which controls stress hormones that can otherwise suppress immunity. Together, these effects enhance the body’s resilience and defense against illness.

Herbal Medicine: Lastly, daily herbal medicine can be super helpful to keep your immunity high and fight off any sicknesses before they settle into the body. Some of my personal favorites are elderberry, echinacea, astragalus root, ginger, garlic, and licorice root. Elderberry and licorice root are antiviral and can help reduce the severity and duration of colds. Echinacea stimulates immune cells which can be used at the first sign of a cold. Astragalus root is a great preventative herb that helps to stimulate white blood cells. Ginger has antioxidant properties and can help soothe sore throats, congestion, and promote circulation. Lastly, garlic is antimicrobial and can be used to fight off infections!

Incorporating these herbs into your daily routine may feel overwhelming, so I offer some easy-to-use options. In my office, you’ll find herbal medicine in pill form for both immune support and early-stage cold relief to help reduce symptoms and severity. I also have a loose tea blend for immunity, perfect for a daily cup to keep your defenses up. Personally, I take a tablespoon of elderberry syrup each day to boost my immune health—you can make your own at home using this recipe! Here’s the link for the syrup I use

Myth: Acupuncture is just a placebo; it doesn’t have real effects on the body.
Fact: Numerous studies have shown that acupuncture has measurable effects on the body, including influencing blood flow, modulating the nervous system, and releasing endorphins and other neurochemicals. It’s now widely accepted in many medical communities as an effective treatment for conditions like chronic pain, migraines, and stress. In Boston, MGH, BMC, and Boston Children’s Hospital all offer acupuncture as part of there programs!

Myth: Acupuncture is painful because it involves needles.
Fact: Acupuncture needles are extremely thin—much finer than typical medical needles—and are often barely felt upon insertion. Many people find the experience relaxing, and any sensations, like tingling or warmth, are usually mild and temporary (and actually a great sign that the blood flow is moving!)

Myth: Acupuncture is only useful for pain relief.
Fact: While pain management is a significant benefit, acupuncture also helps with various issues like anxiety, digestive problems, immune health, hormonal imbalances, and sleep disorders. It works to treat the emotional, physical, and spiritual health of the body.

Myth: Acupuncture results are immediate, and you only need one session.
Fact: Though some people feel improvement right away and occasionally will only need one treatment, most need multiple sessions for lasting results. Acupuncture effects are cumulative, and regular sessions are often recommended, especially for chronic conditions. Think about how long you’ve had your condition for, it’ll take some time to clear out all the layers of disease.