To Flu Shot or Not to Flu Shot?
There has been quite a bit of debate going on regarding the new H1N1 aka swine flu vaccine. Some are saying its a necessity, that every man, woman, and child need to get the shot in order to survive. But why then if it is so important are some of our top doctors and nurses willing to lose their jobs over their right to NOT get the flu shot?
As usual, the answer is complicated. With all the hype and attention the swine flu has gotten you would think we would have enough information to all be experts by now. The reality is that there has been so much false information tangled up with the truth that it has been nearly impossible to make an educated decision. So in a better effort to help you decide if the flu shot is right for you, I have added some links from reliable sources for you to view.
Read what the experts at flu.gov and what the Center for Disease Control are saying about the issue, or what the World Health Organization is saying about the vaccine.
A little note on the healing benefits of Chinese Medicine. Whether you decide to get the flu shot or not, Chinese Medicine can help your body protect itself from getting sick. Chinese Medicine works by strengthening what is weak, and sedating what is excess. This means that if you get sick often because your immune system is low (weakness), it can help you build up your body’s natural defense mechanisms so you have the strength to fight off the flu (excess) with or without help from the flu vaccine.
If you decide not to get the flu shot Chinese Medicine can help you keep your immune system up and your body strong. If you do get the flu shot, it can help make sure you and the flu shot are working together in harmony to keep invaders out. Of course always consult your primary care physician before making any major health decisions.
As always consult your primary care physician before making any major health decisions.
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About the author: Dawna Ara is a Licensed Practitioner of Acupuncture & Oriental Medicine in the state of California. She has over 10 years experience in the health field and practices Acupuncture in Pasadena and Los Angeles.
3 Comments…
Gibrana
On October 12, 2009 at 11:14 am
This is great information. How many treatments does it usually take to see measurable benefits from Chinese Medicine?
Dawna Ara
On October 12, 2009 at 12:26 pm
Hi!
Thanks for your question. The answer is it depends. I know this is a generic answer but there are so many factors that come into play when considering how long it takes to see results from Chinese Medicine. Some of the factors to consider include the person’s overall state of health, their constitution and what they are naturally vulnerable to, their environment, their stress levels, etc. I can tell you that it is not uncommon to see results in as little as one acupuncture treatment or herbal consult although for some people it can take longer. I know in this society life is fast paced and medicine is graded on how quickly we see results. This is not how Chinese Medicine works and is not how our bodies are meant to heal. Chinese Medicine works by strengthening what is weak, and expelling what is excess and this is done gently overtime. For instance in traditional western medicine if you go to the doctor because you have a sore throat your doctor might give you an antibiotic to get rid of the bacteria. In a perfect world this sounds like the fastest way to go but in reality it is not. What happens is that the same antibiotic that gets rid of the bacteria that is causing your sore throat also kills the good bacteria in your gut which are responsible for immune response and keeping your body healthy. If you kill off all the good bacteria then there is nothing left to fight off pathogens. This leaves your body vulnerable allowing you to get sick again and the cycle continues. In Chinese Medicine we work to not only fight off pathogens, but we also work to strengthen your own immune system so it can be strong enough to fight off the bacteria on its own. I hope this answers your question.
Kaikemono
On October 14, 2009 at 1:55 pm
I don’t want swine flu, but I also don’t want to be injected with something invented just a month or two ago :-) Where do I sign up for a treatment?