Immunity
The immune system is the body’s defense again disease — our white blood cells, antibodies, bone marrow, and the lymphatic system, spleen, and thymus help fend off foreign invaders like bacteria, parasites, and other microbes that can cause infections and lead to disease.
Disorders of the immune system range from everyday annoyances like mild seasonal allergies to serious illnesses like leukemia, HIV, and cancer. Stress, lack of sleep, and other common conditions can contribute to a weakened immune system, which increases the body’s vulnerability and susceptibility to infections.
Acupuncture therapy can treat a wide range of health conditions related to immune deficiency through modulating the immune response. Acupuncture has been shown to strengthen a weakened immune system by increasing T, red, and white cell counts as well as enhancing humoral and cellular immunity in patients with immune-related illness.
A compromised or dysfunctional immune system is a major component of most chronic diseases. Unhealthy lifestyle, poor nutrition, stress, and exposure to toxicity and pollutants all can lead to a declining immune system. Once compromised, a weak immune system results in frequent colds, allergies, and recurrent infections.
Chinese medicine has been shown to regulate and boost the body’s immune response, leading to improvements in:
- Common colds and the flu
- Allergies
- Asthma
- Chronic fatigue
- Hepatitis
- HIV
- Autoimmune disease
- Cancer
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Multiple sclerosis
- Psoriasis
- Immune deficiency syndrome