So, I must say - we (the family) are doing well. Lice infestation has been averted due to a pre-emp attack. Everyone has been healthy (not small feat considering this year's flu/virus attacks have been fierce). Ellah started sniffing (anyone with toddlers that are not verbal yet know this movement - facially - it looks like a rabbit nose wiggle with a snort - like she is trying to push something out that won't come out. Then the hand swipe occurs. Not bse there is something dripping, just bse the sensation of stuffiness is so foreign especially when you taking breathing clearly for granted!) I immediately gave her the "candy" (chewable vit.c and b-12) and 2 sprays of the Euphorbium sinus relief inhaler (homeopathic). Next day - nada. I cannot stress enough the pre-emptive attack! I try to never wait and see- bse inevitably it goes deeper in the system with kids and once it is in the fever, cough stage it is treatable but takes longer. I like nipping the colds in the bud.

Before I went to Acupuncture "school" - I received my Master's in Traditional Chinese Medicine in 2000, I just thought you had to ride out colds/flus and fevers. Taking stuff to shorten the duration and relieve symptoms, but it was inevitable once it started - it was going to run its course. I was surprised to learn that the body gives these initial symptoms - signs really of the initial wind-cold or wind-heat attack and if you "released/expelled" the wind (pathogen - virus/bacteria) - then you wouldn't get sick. Whoah! Epiphany! Epiphany!

It doesn't always work - but I must say, if you nip it soon enough - It does! A few weeks ago - Ellah caught that nasty stomach virus that has been circulating - basically a high, high fever and puking. I don't fear the fevers and I like to let them do their thing - namely kill of the nasty buggers. So I made sure to keep her hydrated - little sips of juice and lots of hugs and by the next day she was 100%. Sometimes the fever-reducing meds work against the system - they make you feel better but then after the 4-6 hours, the fever rebounds bse the body is still trying to get rid of the pathogen.

I have been deluged with new patients. Actually referred from an enlightened M.D. Which I think is beyond cool. Most M.D.'s if you ask them if acupuncture works or is beneficial - they will either poo-poo it, or give a real cool response like - well it can't hurt, if you want to try it. To actually have one that is referring her patients to an acupuncturist - wow! I hope more MD.'s jump on that bandwagon!

In any case - so many patients this year have been "Sick on and off since November/December." As we are now beginning March - I can see why they are discontent. Once I have a virus - don't I develop antibodies to it? How can I get sick again? It seems I haven't gotten well since that first outbreak. I can't get rid of this cough. I have no energy. And on and on.

First of all - I must say that the viruses circulating this year seem particularly virulent. There are 2 nasty stomach ones that seem to circulate - one with a fever, one without. There are is the flu - in all its achy/chilly/bodyache/fever glory (which it seems the flu vaccine missed the mark this year per news reports - personally I never get the flu vaccine or give it to my kids. I swear by the homeopathic remedy - Oscillococcinum (www.oscillo.com) It tastes great - kids love it and it cuts flu symtoms. I think everyone should have it in their cupboard! Now back to the bugs - there are some great sinus colds and chest colds this year as well. So like I said, I like boosting the immune system so they don't break through the "defenses" but let's say that you caught some stubborn pathogen - you went to your practitioner (hopefully got some great acupuncture and herbs to kick up your immune system and reduce symptoms, and if you did the traditional antibiotics, western MD, cough surpressant, fever reducers - well, I bet you and I haven't talked yet...)

And yet you got sick again! Or it seems you did not fully recover and it came back?!?!?!?!?
Here are some no-brainer common sense questions I ask my patients (and you would be surprised by how many do not follow these suggestions or have never been told/or  thought about them before!)
1.  Did you sterilize your toothbrush or get a new one?
"Toothbrushes harbor and transmit viruses and bacteria". Don't take my word on this , this is a quote from the Journal of American Dental Association. So you could be reinfecting yourself. That's not fair to your body or your immune system. Give it a fighting chance!
2.  No matter how cute your kids are - don't suck face when they or you are sick! I had a patient get sick bse her daughter - adorable sweet 3 year old was sick and she told me she couldn't - not hug and kiss her when she wasn't feeling good. What? Take this opportunity to transmit health/wellness good habits. Kisses on forehead or ear, hugs when you aren't being breathed on. Keeping their germy hands off your face. We don't want the sickness to spread through the whole family - and then recirculate it again! And that's what happens! The mom gets sick, then the brother. So on and so forth. It's depressing, de-spiriting (word?), a total downer.
Also - get your kids to cough in their elbow crease.
3. Wash hands!!!!
4.  Postitive mindset, Energetic shield - against stress and illness. Positive visualizations do alot - really!

Okay - Enough ranting for one night.
Be Well...-acumomma