Acupuncture for Cough, cold and sore throat
Acupuncture treatment and Chinese Herbal Medicine consultations in central London, W8, W11, W14, SW3, SW5, Kensington and South Kensington, South West London, SW14, SW15, SW18, SW19, Earlsfields, Southfields and Wimbledon
Call 07720773890 now for more information and to book your free 15 minutes consultation
Cough:
When the respiratory tract produces excess phlegm (mucus), coughing expels it , stopping infectious phlegm from descending into your lungs where it could lead to a serious chest infection.
A productive cough produces phlegm.
A non productive (dry) cough produces no phlegm, and is often caused by irritation.
Dry cough along with leg and backaches, fever, headache and sore throat, may signal the flu.
A cough with colored phlegm may be an infection such as bronchitis or sinusitis.
A cough with wheezing and chest constriction may be asthma.
For a cough that produces blood with chest pain you must see a doctor immediately.
Sore throat: Within this broad category are problems such as tonsillitis, strep throat, laryngitis, epiglottitis, and so on, all of which are more specific terms indicating which part of the respiratory apparatus or what kind of germ is involved.
Most cases of sore throat, especially when they accompany a common cold, are mild, cause a minimum of discomfort, and clear up within a few days.
Not all sore throats are as benign as this, however, and parents should be alert to the possibility of a more serious infection.
Be alert for rapidly worsening symptoms, especially distress or difficulty when breathing.
When the respiratory tract produces excess phlegm (mucus), coughing expels it , stopping infectious phlegm from descending into your lungs where it could lead to a serious chest infection.
A productive cough produces phlegm.
A non productive (dry) cough produces no phlegm, and is often caused by irritation.
Dry cough along with leg and backaches, fever, headache and sore throat, may signal the flu.
A cough with colored phlegm may be an infection such as bronchitis or sinusitis.
A cough with wheezing and chest constriction may be asthma.
For a cough that produces blood with chest pain you must see a doctor immediately.
Sore throat: Within this broad category are problems such as tonsillitis, strep throat, laryngitis, epiglottitis, and so on, all of which are more specific terms indicating which part of the respiratory apparatus or what kind of germ is involved.
Most cases of sore throat, especially when they accompany a common cold, are mild, cause a minimum of discomfort, and clear up within a few days.
Not all sore throats are as benign as this, however, and parents should be alert to the possibility of a more serious infection.
Be alert for rapidly worsening symptoms, especially distress or difficulty when breathing.
Cold and flu viruses attack the nose, nasal sinuses, throat and the upper breathing tubes (trachea and bronchi).
As they invade the moist skin lining of these structures, they cause runny nose, sinus congestion, sneezing, sore throat and cough. Fever might also occur, usually with the flu.
These classic symptoms begin 1-4 days after contact with the virus and usually last 5-7 days, but can linger on.
Both colds and flu are caused by viruses, and the real difference between them is simply the type of virus that causes the illness.
The only way to catch a cold or flu is from other people.
The viruses are spread by tiny droplets in the air (such as from a cough or sneeze) or from direct contact (especially handshaking).
Infected people can spread the virus from a day or two before they even have symptoms to three or four days after the symptoms start.
Other more serious illnesses are associated with colds and may begin with the same symptoms.
It is important to see your doctor for evaluation if any of the following occurs:
Severe, continuos vomiting or diarrhea lasting 8 hrs. or any vomiting and diarrhea not improved after 24 hrs; fever over 102 degrees, earache, shaking chills, difficulty breathing, skin rash, unusual lethargy or delirium, change in cough or nasal secretions to thick green or gray, uncontrollable cough or cough sounding like a "seal bark"
As they invade the moist skin lining of these structures, they cause runny nose, sinus congestion, sneezing, sore throat and cough. Fever might also occur, usually with the flu.
These classic symptoms begin 1-4 days after contact with the virus and usually last 5-7 days, but can linger on.
Both colds and flu are caused by viruses, and the real difference between them is simply the type of virus that causes the illness.
The only way to catch a cold or flu is from other people.
The viruses are spread by tiny droplets in the air (such as from a cough or sneeze) or from direct contact (especially handshaking).
Infected people can spread the virus from a day or two before they even have symptoms to three or four days after the symptoms start.
Other more serious illnesses are associated with colds and may begin with the same symptoms.
It is important to see your doctor for evaluation if any of the following occurs:
Severe, continuos vomiting or diarrhea lasting 8 hrs. or any vomiting and diarrhea not improved after 24 hrs; fever over 102 degrees, earache, shaking chills, difficulty breathing, skin rash, unusual lethargy or delirium, change in cough or nasal secretions to thick green or gray, uncontrollable cough or cough sounding like a "seal bark"
Alternative first aid for cough and sore throat:
Rest. Drink extra fluids. Gargle with warm salt water..
Chamomile tea is particularly effective in treating pain because of its soothing nature, and can be taken by all age groups. Sage is beneficial in treating pharyngitis and other throat pains by reducing inflammation and protecting the mucous membranes of the mouth and throat.
Garlic, a natural antibiotic, can be helpful in the speeding up of recovery and removal of bacteria; Garlic can be taken in pill form by all age groups
An infusion of fresh Thyme with the addition of a teaspoon of lemon juice and a teaspoon of honey is very effective, this can be taken three times a day.
Essential oil: put a drop of Tea Tree oil, Clove oil or sweet thyme oil on your tooth brush, the normal amount of tooth paste and brush your teeth normally; the essential oil act as a potent disinfectant, mixed with the tooth paste.
Homeopathic remedies:
I often prescribe combination remedies, as they work more quickly.
Nux vomica: sensitive to least draught; sneezing from itching in nose, throat, trachea; great heat, burning but if uncover become chilly
Best alternative treatment:
Acupuncture: boost the immune system, eliminate symptoms, facilitate a good recovery
Homeopathy: Clear symptoms quickly and make you feel better, homeopathy is safe with babies and children and with pregnant women
Essential oils: antiviral, antibacterial, decongestant, excellent decongesttant
Rest. Drink extra fluids. Gargle with warm salt water..
Chamomile tea is particularly effective in treating pain because of its soothing nature, and can be taken by all age groups. Sage is beneficial in treating pharyngitis and other throat pains by reducing inflammation and protecting the mucous membranes of the mouth and throat.
Garlic, a natural antibiotic, can be helpful in the speeding up of recovery and removal of bacteria; Garlic can be taken in pill form by all age groups
An infusion of fresh Thyme with the addition of a teaspoon of lemon juice and a teaspoon of honey is very effective, this can be taken three times a day.
Essential oil: put a drop of Tea Tree oil, Clove oil or sweet thyme oil on your tooth brush, the normal amount of tooth paste and brush your teeth normally; the essential oil act as a potent disinfectant, mixed with the tooth paste.
Homeopathic remedies:
I often prescribe combination remedies, as they work more quickly.
Nux vomica: sensitive to least draught; sneezing from itching in nose, throat, trachea; great heat, burning but if uncover become chilly
Best alternative treatment:
Acupuncture: boost the immune system, eliminate symptoms, facilitate a good recovery
Homeopathy: Clear symptoms quickly and make you feel better, homeopathy is safe with babies and children and with pregnant women
Essential oils: antiviral, antibacterial, decongestant, excellent decongesttant
Preventive and curative effects of acupuncture on the common cold: a multicentre randomized controlled trial in Japan.
Kawakita K, Shichidou T, Inoue E, Nabeta T, Kitakouji H, Aizawa S, Nishida A, Yamaguchi N, Takahashi N, Yano T, Tanzawa S.
Japan Acupuncture and Moxibustion Center, 3-44-14 Minami otsuka, Toshima-ku, Tokyo 170-0005, Japan. k.kawakita@muom.meiji-u.ac.jp
Abstract
Objective:
To determine the preventive and curative effects of manual acupuncture on the symptoms of the common cold.
Method:
Students and staff in five Japanese acupuncture schools (n=326) were randomly allocated to acupuncture and no-treatment control groups. A specific needling point (Y point) on the neck was used bilaterally. Fine acupuncture needles were gently manipulated for 15s, evoking de qi sensation. Acupuncture treatments were performed four times during the 2-week experimental period with a 2-week follow-up period. A common cold diary was scored daily for 4 weeks, and a common cold questionnaire was scored before each acupuncture treatment and twice at weekly intervals. A reliability test for the questionnaire was performed on the last day of recording.
Results:
Five of the 326 subjects who were recruited dropped out. The diary score in the acupuncture group tended to decrease after treatment, but the difference between groups was not significant (Kaplan–Meier survival analysis, log rank test P=0.53, Cox regression analysis, P>0.05). Statistically significantly fewer symptoms were reported in the questionnaire by the acupuncture group than control group (P=0.024, general linear model, repeated measure). Significant inter-centre (P<0.001, general linear model) and sex (P=0.027, general linear model) differences were also detected. Reliability tests indicated that the questionnaire with 15 items was sufficiently reliable. No severe adverse event was reported.
Conclusion:
This is the first report of a multi-centre randomized controlled trial of acupuncture for symptoms of the common cold. A significantly positive effect of acupuncture was demonstrated in the summed questionnaire data, although a highly significant inter-centre difference was observed. Needling on the neck using the Japanese fine needle manipulating technique was shown to be effective and safe. The use of acupuncture for symptoms of the common cold symptoms should be considered, although further evidence from placebo controlled RCTs is required.
Kawakita K, Shichidou T, Inoue E, Nabeta T, Kitakouji H, Aizawa S, Nishida A, Yamaguchi N, Takahashi N, Yano T, Tanzawa S.
Japan Acupuncture and Moxibustion Center, 3-44-14 Minami otsuka, Toshima-ku, Tokyo 170-0005, Japan. k.kawakita@muom.meiji-u.ac.jp
Abstract
Objective:
To determine the preventive and curative effects of manual acupuncture on the symptoms of the common cold.
Method:
Students and staff in five Japanese acupuncture schools (n=326) were randomly allocated to acupuncture and no-treatment control groups. A specific needling point (Y point) on the neck was used bilaterally. Fine acupuncture needles were gently manipulated for 15s, evoking de qi sensation. Acupuncture treatments were performed four times during the 2-week experimental period with a 2-week follow-up period. A common cold diary was scored daily for 4 weeks, and a common cold questionnaire was scored before each acupuncture treatment and twice at weekly intervals. A reliability test for the questionnaire was performed on the last day of recording.
Results:
Five of the 326 subjects who were recruited dropped out. The diary score in the acupuncture group tended to decrease after treatment, but the difference between groups was not significant (Kaplan–Meier survival analysis, log rank test P=0.53, Cox regression analysis, P>0.05). Statistically significantly fewer symptoms were reported in the questionnaire by the acupuncture group than control group (P=0.024, general linear model, repeated measure). Significant inter-centre (P<0.001, general linear model) and sex (P=0.027, general linear model) differences were also detected. Reliability tests indicated that the questionnaire with 15 items was sufficiently reliable. No severe adverse event was reported.
Conclusion:
This is the first report of a multi-centre randomized controlled trial of acupuncture for symptoms of the common cold. A significantly positive effect of acupuncture was demonstrated in the summed questionnaire data, although a highly significant inter-centre difference was observed. Needling on the neck using the Japanese fine needle manipulating technique was shown to be effective and safe. The use of acupuncture for symptoms of the common cold symptoms should be considered, although further evidence from placebo controlled RCTs is required.
Pj Cousin is a full member of the British Acupuncture Council and of the Unified Register of herbal Practitioners
Acupuncture at Cure by Nature
95 Replingham Road, London SW18 5LU
Tel: 07720773890
For a map Click here
Appointment available weekdays only
95 Replingham Road, London SW18 5LU
Tel: 07720773890
For a map Click here
Appointment available weekdays only
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM)
is one of the oldest and most mysterious form of health care, the first book on this subject is about 2500 years old, and there are indications that the Chinese were already using a crude form of TCM 4000 years ago.
Today, this medical system is widely used in China, Japan, Vietnam, Korea and all around Asia; in China alone there are 2500 hospitals specialising in TCM. This complex medical system is taught in 30 Chinese universities, to thousands of students from 120 different countries.
is one of the oldest and most mysterious form of health care, the first book on this subject is about 2500 years old, and there are indications that the Chinese were already using a crude form of TCM 4000 years ago.
Today, this medical system is widely used in China, Japan, Vietnam, Korea and all around Asia; in China alone there are 2500 hospitals specialising in TCM. This complex medical system is taught in 30 Chinese universities, to thousands of students from 120 different countries.
Acupuncture at Cure By Nature
95 Replingham Road
London SW18 5LU
tel: 020 88751101
For a map Click here
Appointment available Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays
95 Replingham Road
London SW18 5LU
tel: 020 88751101
For a map Click here
Appointment available Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays
Acupuncture London: fertility clinics of acupuncture and complementary medicine at 95 Replingham Road london SW18 5LU