With the extreme windy weather we are having in Southern California, today is a perfect day to discuss Wind. Wind is considered one of the “Six Pathogens” or “Six Excesses” according to Chinese medicine. The pathogenic factors in Chinese Medicine can arise from an exterior (outside the body) or interior (inside from blood or organ imbalance) origin and be a leading cause of disease.
The six pathogenic factors include: Wind, Cold, Dampness, Heat, Dryness and Fire. When caused by external influences the six pathogens are closely related to the weather, climate and the influence of the seasons.
The body is typically strong enough to protect itself from the invasion of the six exterior pathogenic factors, but often, if the weather becomes too strong (storms, excess heat, cold or dry weather or lengthy unprotected exposure) or if the bodies immune system is relatively weak people become more susceptible to these climate invasions.
Wind exposure that causes a bodily injury will first effect the upper or outer part of the body including the: skin, head, neck, throat and lungs. There are several main acupuncture points in the occipital area of the neck that are called “wind points”. It is believed that wind carries disease (viruses, bacteria’s, allergens etc.) and it enters the body at the back of the neck. Wind allows for, and even promotes, the invasion of the other pathogens mainly heat, cold and damp. Hence, especially on windy days like we are having it is important to wear your collar up, dress warm, and wear a scarf to protect your neck from the wind and cold weather that often accompany each other.
Exposure after sweating, which opens the pores and allows a portal for easy wind penetration, is a frequent cause of illness. Sleeping or sitting in a draft, in front of blowing air conditioning or fan are all factors that can lead to wind invasion and subsequent sickness.
The nature of wind is to move and travel and it carries disease along with it. Wind is abrupt and so are the symptoms of wind invasion including: quick striking common cold symptoms, stiff neck, body aches, runny nose, sinusitis, sore throat, headaches, sneezing, fever and/or chills, cough, allergies and itching.
Internal wind symptoms are chronic and include the following symptoms: tremors, dizziness, vertigo, numbness, paralysis, and pain that moves around the body between muscles and joints. Internal wind is much too detailed to elaborate on in this article. Acupuncture and Chinese herbal therapy is excellent and effective in both the prevention and treatment of attacks of pathogenic wind invasion.
In short, what your grandparents used to say about avoiding a draft, or a wind, “because you’ll catch a cold” actually has a lot of truth to it! Stay warm and protected!
In Love & Light,
Byron
Byron Barth; L.A., MSTOM, Acupuncturist, Herbalist, Zen Shiatsu Master and
Founder of Peace of Zen Acupuncture.
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