Influenza, commonly known as the flu, is a common, highly-contagious respiratory infection that affects the nose, throat and lungs. Symptoms usually last about 7 to 10 days. The flu is not like a common cold. It is a serious infection especially in infants, seniors and in people who have other medical conditions such as diabetes, anemia or kidney disease. The flu may also lead to complications, such as pneumonia, and may worsen certain other conditions like asthma, congestive heart failure or diabetes.
Approximately 3-7.5 million Canadians will get the flu in any given year. Approximately 12,200 Canadians are hospitalized because of the flu and its complications each flu season; about 3,500 Canadians will die from pneumonia related to the flu and other serious complications of the flu.
In Canada, the flu season usually runs from November to April. This is why it is important to get your flu shot between October and December, before the number of cases of flu increases in Canada. The Public Health Agency of Canada and the US Centers for Disease Control both advise that the best way to protect yourself from the flu is to get an annual flu vaccine in the late fall. Since the virus causing the flu changes from year to year, the flu vaccine you received last year may not protect you this year. If the vaccine and the flu strain are a good match, the vaccine can prevent the flu in about 70%-90% of healthy children and adults. When more people get vaccinated against the flu, less flu can spread through that community.
Every flu season is different, and influenza infection can affect people differently. Even healthy people can get very sick from the flu and spread it to others. Every Canadian over the age of six months should get an annual flu vaccination. The flu vaccine is especially important for:
- Children aged 6-23 months
- Adults and children with chronic heart and lung disease and chronic conditions such as diabetes, anemia, cancer, HIV or kidney disease
- People living in a nursing home
- People aged 65 and over
- Children and adolescents on long-term aspirin (ASA) therapy
- Healthy pregnant women
- Health care workers; caregivers
Most people will recover fully in about 7 or 10 days, but some may develop serious complications. The following groups of people may be at greater risk of developing complications from the flu, if they do get sick:
- Children younger than five years old (especially those younger than two years old)
- Women who are pregnant
- Aboriginal people
People with chronic conditions such as:
- Heart disease
- Liver disease
- Kidney disease
- Blood disorders
- Diabetes
- Severe obesity
- Asthma and chronic lung disease
- Immunosuppression (people taking cancer drugs or people with HIV/AIDS)
- Neurological disorders
Non-drug practices for preventing the flu include frequent hand-washing, avoiding touching your face with your hands, sanitizing household surfaces and children’s toys, and maintaining a healthy and active lifestyle.
Viva Care Pharmacy in both Newton and Guildford are providing flu shots this season when they become available. Please come visit us and protect yourself from the flu!
Have You been Injured in an ICBC Car Accident ?
You Probably have a Lot of Questions
When you first have an accident, there are so many stresses on you:
- you are dealing with your injuries which means working with your doctor and therapists
- you may be dealing with being away from work for a period of time
- you are wondering about finances – who pays for treatment/ who pays your lost wages ?
- at the same time, you will be dealing with demands from the ICBC adjustor – he or she may want you to sign something
It is very important that you see a lawyer at the very beginning to learn your rights and responsibilities
You need to know exactly what you should be doing and what you should not be doing
With 10 lawyers and 45 staff, the law firm of Cowley & Company is the largest car accident law firm in Surrey/Langley
We have layers who speak Punjabi, Hindi, Fijian Hindi, and Cantonese
We offer free no obligation consultations with a lawyer – with evening appointments available
COWLEY & COMPANY
Car Accident Lawyers
13805 104th Avenue
Surrey
Many of us have seen the standard sleep hygiene recommendations that have been around for decades. Although those recommendations continue to apply to the modern times, there are additional “Tips” that may be important to consider in order to improve your ability to sleep better.
- Turn off your gadgets – as blue light emitted from smartphone, TV and computer screens can suppress melatonin (a hormone helping you sleep) and increase your alertness
- Avoid drinking before bedtime – However enjoyable nightcaps may be, unfortunately, they could lead to more shallow sleep. A shallower sleep could lead to a negative cycle where you’re dependent on sedatives to sleep, and stimulants such as caffeine or sugary food to stay awake during the day.
- Get up early – If you’re having trouble sleeping, getting up earlier and exposing yourself to morning light could be the solution for you. It may seem brutal, but it can get results.
- Forget your worries – It’s important to let go of the worries that build up during the day as
they can affect both the initiation and maintenance of sleep. - Work Out – Whether you’re swimming, running, or practicing yoga, regular exercise can make
for a great night’s sleep. It’s best to work out around six hours before you go to bed as
your body stays overheated for several hours after vigorous exercise, causing wakefulness. - Have a hot drink – A hot (non-alcoholic) beverage before bed is a great way to relax and prepare
for sleep. Avoid coffee, chocolate and fizzy drinks at least six hours before you go to
bed. - Listen to music – Soothing sounds can be a good way to doze off, but anything louder might
have the opposite effect. - Only use medication as a last resort – While you may get results in the short term, it’s
important to be aware of unwanted effects and see your doctor if you’re having trouble
sleeping. - Keep it simple and you should be on your way to a good night’s sleep
Q: Dear Wellness Pharmacist, Every year I come down with the common cold but I get so confused when wandering down the “Cold & Flu” aisle of the pharmacy. Can you help clarify some common myths about cold and flu season with the winter months fast approaching? What should I be taking?
A: It’s that time of year again when leaves change colors, you dig out your sweaters and there’s a crispness to the air. Unfortunately, it’s also a time of increased cold and flu symptoms as the days get shorter and we see the sun less. The cold and flu season typically runs from November to April. There are many theories about this season but with thousands of hospitalizations and as many as 3500 deaths from influenza each year in Canada, it’s important to know which strategies and beliefs are helpful and which aren’t. So, let’s set the record straight by debunking these five popular myths about influenza and the common cold:
Myth #1 – Getting the flu vaccine every year isn’t necessary. You should get the flu vaccine every year. Last season’s flu shot will not protect you against this season’s flu virus. The reason is flu viruses change from year to year, which is why the flu vaccine is updated yearly to include the current virus strains that are circulating. This means that the flu vaccine you received last year for a particular strain may not protect you from the new flu virus strain that is circulating this year. This is also the reason that you can get the flu more than once in a season if different strains of the virus are circulating. In addition, your immunity or your body’s natural protection against disease tends to decline over time, therefore, it is necessary to get the flu vaccine every year to ensure you are protected.
Myth#2 – You can treat the flu with antibiotics. Antibiotics are used to kill bacterial infections. Colds and flu are viral infections, which is why antibiotics cannot be used to treat them. Influenza is usually diagnosed based on symptoms like fever, cough, muscle aches, weakness and exhaustion which differ from the common cold (stuffy nose, sneezing, cough and sore throat). Most people with the flu recover within one to two weeks without treatment; however, antiviral medicines (oseltamivir aka Tamiflu) can be used to reduce the severity and duration of symptoms. These medicines are most effective when taken within the first 48 hours of flu symptoms. Antibiotics should only be used if there is a bacterial complication of the flu such as bacterial pneumonia, sinusitis or ear infection.
Myth #3 – You can catch a cold from going out in the cold. Most people know by now that the old wives’ tale that says, “don’t go out in the cold with wet hair or else you’ll catch a cold” is simply untrue. You don’t catch a cold from cold air but rather from having direct or indirect contact with the virus or someone who is sick from the virus. The cold and flu season does coincide with the winter months but that has more to do with proximity than it does with the cold weather. In the colder months, people tend to spend more time indoors which means they are closer together, touching hands and coming in contact with coughing and sneezing more than during the warmer months. For this reason, viruses are easily passed from person to person. The truth is, going outside in the cold with wet hair will just made you colder, it won’t give you a cold.
Myth #4 – You can get the flu from receiving the flu vaccine. The viruses contained in the flu vaccine have been inactivated or killed which means you cannot get the flu from vaccination because the killed influenza viruses cannot cause infection. There are possible reactions after the vaccine including soreness, redness and swelling where the vaccine was given. Other symptoms that resemble flu like symptoms can include fever, headache, aching muscles and fatigue but these may last one to two days and are often mistaken for the flu when they are reactions to the vaccine. Acetaminophen can be given for fever or soreness. A large number of people are eligible for the flu vaccine at no cost including young children, pregnant women, seniors 65 years and older and people with certain medical conditions as well as those who are able to transmit influenza to those at high risk. For those who do not qualify for the publicly funded vaccine, it can be purchased at a pharmacy. Remember that pharmacies are a convenient option for getting your flu shot as pharmacists are authorized to administer immunizations. It is important to stay at the clinic or pharmacy for fifteen minutes after getting the vaccine to ensure that no life-threatening allergic reactions occur. Your healthcare provider will be prepared to treat any type of reaction but it’s important to wait after the vaccine is administered.
Myth #5 – Chicken soup is a cure for the common cold. We know chicken soup has been regarded as a remedy for colds and flu for centuries. While it may not be a cure for the common cold because we know that no such cure exists, there has been research that actually shows chicken soup can help with symptoms of the common cold like nasal congestion and inflammation. Specifically, the vegetables and chicken itself helps with inflammation responsible for symptoms. An amino acid called cysteine in chicken helps to thin mucus in the lungs and chicken soup is packed with protein and antioxidant rich vegetables so it’s an easy way to get some hydration and nutrition when you are not feeling well. The study also compared different brands of chicken soup as well as an old family recipe and there was little difference between them when it came to efficacy. Be sure to check nutritional labels though when buying soup as many can be loaded with excess sodium and other preservatives which is important to avoid in heart disease, hypertension and many other chronic conditions. Basically, while eating chicken soup can’t necessarily cure the common cold, some components of it can help with symptoms like inflammation and congestion.
Prevention: How can you stop from catching a cold or flu this season?
Here are a few tips:
- Wash your hands: to prevent catching a cold or flu, the most important tip is washing your hands. You can achieve a significant reduction in bacteria on your hands by washing for just 30 seconds with soap and water. If you are not able to scrub with soap or get to a sink, alcohol-based hand sanitizers can protect against the spread of some bugs.
- Stay home: a lot of us feel the pressure to go to work or school even when we are sick but it’s the wrong thing to do. The spread of infection starts with one person and you can be contagious before more severe symptoms begin. Cold viruses are easily transferred after even the briefest contact and can be left on doorknobs, phones, countertops and even elevator buttons. If you are coughing or sneezing, be sure to do so into your inner elbow and don’t use your hand to cover your mouth. Make sure to prevent transmission of the viruses by avoiding face touching (eye, nose or mouth) after contact with a virus-infected surface.
- Stay healthy: remember getting enough sleep (7-9 hours a night for most people), reducing stress levels, eating a whole foods based diet low in sugar and refined grain products and staying active are all important ways to support the health of our immune system and will give us the best chance of staying healthy this cold and flu season.
Treatment: So what can you do if you’ve already come down with the symptoms of a cold or flu?
Besides the age-old advice of plenty of rest and lots of fluids, here are a few treatment ideas:
- Oregano oil: a few drops of this essential oil helps to boost the immune system, relieve congestion and suppress cough. Oregano oil possesses antiviral, antibacterial, antifungal and anti-inflammatory properties and can even be beneficial when added to water for inhalation in clearing sinuses.
- Vitamin C: studies show supplementation with high dose (up to 1000mg) vitamin C can reduce the severity of symptoms and shorten duration of the common cold. It helps to improve your immune function and protect against the common cold. This antioxidant can be found in colourful fruits and vegetables so stock up on berries, sweet potatoes, peppers, oranges and papayas.
- Zinc: this is an essential trace element that’s required for a number of reactions within the body. If you’ve already come down with a cold, zinc supplementation or lozenges may help with symptoms. Dietary sources include poultry, whole grains, beans and nuts.
- Probiotics: these are the “good” bacteria that colonize our digestive tract and not only play an important role in digestion but also in the overall balance and integrity of our immune system. Recent research has shown supplementing with probiotics can decrease the duration of common respiratory tract infections. Basically, these healthy bacteria will help your immune system fight off invading viruses. Be sure to choose probiotic supplements with the Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium strains.
- Oscillococcinum: this homeopathic is now found in a lot of pharmacies and can be taken at the first sign of cold or flu. The little pellets dissolve under the tongue and it has been shown to reduce the severity and shorten the duration of the flu.
With the help of these natural agents, you can help your body ward off colds and flu but always remember to ask your doctor before trying any product to ensure that it is safe for you to take and that you are taking the appropriate dose for you. With these tips for prevention and treatment and debunking common myths about the common cold and flu, you can safely navigate this time of year and give your body the best chance of staying healthy during cold and flu season.
Getting Online Counselling Covered Under Your Insurance
When you need counselling support, the last thing that you want to have to do is spend time thinking about how you will pay for the services you need, especially if you already have extended health benefits.
If you’re looking to access online counselling services but don’t want to be paying out of pocket without reimbursement, we have good news! Our counsellors have qualifications that allow all sessions to be covered the same as an in-person session with your insurance plan.
That’s because our counsellors all have a Masters degree or PhD, at least 5-10 years experience (post -Masters degree), and a license to provide counselling services.
That also means the sessions that you participate in from the comfort of your home, office, car or wherever else is convenient and private can be covered just as if you hopped in your car, drove to a therapist’s office, parked, and went in for a session in person.
We even compiled some helpful reimbursement forms from common insurance provider websites (Like Sunlife, Manulife and Pacific Blue Cross). Depending on who you are employed by, your sessions may also be covered by your Employee and Family Assistance Program, or what is sometimes called EAP.
If you would like your EAP to cover your sessions with us, you can ask them to email us to make arrangements. We have experience coordinating with EAP programs in this way so we can support members like you. We would love to work with them to help you out!
Don’t have extended health coverage? You might be able to write off your counselling as a tax deduction. Typically medical expenses must add up to 3% of your income in order to have an effect on your personal tax refund. We recommend speaking with a qualified CPA (Certified Public Accountant) to find out if you are eligible to file for reimbursement for your services with Wellin5.
Getting reimbursed for your online counselling services can be a simple process when you see a qualified Wellin5 counsellor. You don’t need to drive anywhere or show up in person. Your online session can be considered to be just as valid as when you attend personally and can be treated the same way for reimbursement. Consult your benefit plan literature and book an appointment for yourself today!
10 Ways To Manage Stress
Rates of stress are rising, with challenges around family responsibilities, the quest for work life balance, the economy and the sandwich generation caring for an aging population with health concerns while raising their own kids. Managing stress is really important from a mental health perspective. Too much stress can impact your health, your ability to function at school, work or in your family and generally takes away from the enjoyment of day to day life. The more tools you have in your toolbox to deal with it, the better equipped you will feel. Here are some ideas on how to manage stress in a healthy way:
- Take a break. Sometimes we are too close to a problem to see a solution. If you can walk away even for a short period of time, you might be able to consider the issue from a different angle.
- Schedule time outs. Rest is so important. A well rested body and mind is better able to deal with challenged than a tired, overworked brain.
- Automate where you can. Often stress results from decision fatigue, making too many decisions throughout the day. Wherever you can plan, schedule and otherwise outsource the mental energy required for decision making, consider doing so.
- Look at your diet. Planning ahead with meal planning or meal delivery services can reduce your overall stress load by removing one more thing for you to organize or decide on in the moment. Set yourself up for success by taking time to plan to nourish yourself.
- Don’t get bent out of shape, spend more time getting bendy. Yoga can be very beneficial from a stress management perspective.
- Get Musical. Music can help reduce stress. Pick something calming and enjoy the harmonies, melodies and time spent being mindful and just listening.
- Get a massage. Can you feel your muscles tensing as you ruminate over a challenge? Getting a massage can help short circuit the tensionin your body and get you back on track.
- Connect with nature. Going to the beach can help you stay calm because other than the benefit of actually being in a relaxing environment, the colour blue is soothing and researchers say staring at waves puts your brain into a meditative state.
- Consider getting a pet. A dog can help you stay active with regular walks, pets can offer emotional support and they support the development of a daily routine.
- Talk it out. Stress can be isolating. Feeling like you’re dealing with a problem all by yourself can be overwhelming. Bouncing ideas off your friends, family or a trusted counsellor like one from Wellin5can be so helpful. Keep in mind that therapy doesn’t need to be a reactionary approach to deal with stress, maintaining your mental health can help prevent stress in the future.
Stress can be really problematic for your body, but it doesn’t have to be. If you spend time applying some of these tips, you can get a better handle on your stress level. Best of luck in reducing your stress levels and finding new ways to get the most out of life.
Looking for a proven, drug-free solution for your pain? Effective July 1st, Viva Care Medical Group will be carrying DR-HO’S Pain Therapy devices. These innovative transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) devices are combined with EMS technology and is clinically proven to relieve pain, relax muscles and improve circulation.
DR-HO’S Pain Therapy devices are an excellent solution for treating back pain, shoulder and neck pain, symptoms of fibromyalgia, headaches, arthritis and hip, leg and feet pain.
TENS has long been established as a viable way to help relieve your pain. If you have ever been referred to a physiotherapist, there is a good chance that TENS has been used as part of your treatment.
With over 30 years of clinical experience, Dr. Ho has developed electrotherapy devices, which use innovative technologies to help you relieve your pain.
For those with a private insurance plan, the chances are very good that most if not all of the cost for a TENS device will be covered with a doctor’s prescription.
Please ask your doctor on how the DR-HO’S Pain Therapy system can help relieve your pain. You will also be able to find information on how these units can help you in our clinics or just click on the link below.
“Laugh, and the world laughs with you;
Weep, and you weep alone”
– Ella Wheeler Wilcox
The choice is yours! Let’s start by understanding laughter. Laugh means a set of gestures and production of some peculiar sounds, usually to express amusement, triumph or contempt. And laughter means the act or sound of laughing. So, what is “Laughter Yoga”? How can laughter be a form of treatment or therapy?
Importance of Laughter:
Laughter is a natural physical process, considered as a universal language requiring no interpreters. We are born with the ability to laugh, it is free, highly infectious and in a way, without side effects. It is a good relaxation technique as it relaxes both our body and mind. An internal organ massager, it reduces stress, anxiety and relieves pain. Our body is like a biological pharmacy producing lifesaving drugs and Laughter is one of the key to enter the drug store and accessing those vital drugs any time, 24/7. An important socializing tool, laughter helps to reduce aggression and conflict. Laughter indeed is the best medicine!
Why Laughter is the Best Medicine?
It is a clinically researched fact that Laughter does affect the body, mind and soul. Laughter benefits people suffering from depression, high blood pressure, asthma, cancer, arthritis and other debilitating and painful ailments. No doubt it is called as the best medicine. In addition, it is an effective social tool to bond with fellow human beings and to improve personal relationships at home and at work.
- Laughter activates the Immune System
- Laughter decreases “stress” hormones
- Laughter relaxes muscle
- Laughter reduces pains and aches
- Laughter exercises internal organs (heart, lungs…)
- Laughter stabilizes blood pressure
- Laughter cleanses the Respiratory System
Based on extensive scientific research studies in India, USA, Germany and South Africa and other countries, it is a well-established fact that laughter involves the entire physiology of the body. It affects the respiratory system, the cardiovascular system, the muscular system, the central nervous system, the endocrine system, and the immune system. Laughter is known to release endorphins, the body’s natural painkiller, and enhances activities of our body’s natural ‘killer’ cells that attack the cells infected by a virus and also certain types of cancer and tumour cells. The body also experiences a boost in cell-mediated immunity by the increasing levels of activated T-cells (T lymphocytes) and the antibody, IgA (immunoglobulin A), which fights upper respiratory tract infections. Laughter is also a good cardio workout, increasing heart activity, and thus stimulating circulation. After the laughter subsides, the cardiovascular system goes into a state of relaxation.
Laughter Club:
After reading American writer Norman Cousin’s account of how extensive belly laughing helped to bring him back from a painful near-total paralysis, Dr. Madan Kataria, the Indian physician and founder of the worldwide Laughter Yoga movement started the first laughter club in 1995 in Mumbai, India. Now we have Laughter Clubs all over the world! The World Laughter Day is celebrated on the 1st Sunday of May every year. It is a positive manifestation for world peace to build up a global consciousness of brotherhood and friendship through laughter. Today we have over 6000 Laughter Clubs in more than sixty countries across five continents.
The contraindications:
Fortunately, there is yet not a single untoward or fatal incident in the history of laughter movement. Although laughter does not really have any negative side effects, cardiac patients and those who have undergone bypass surgery should not participate in the Laughter Yoga sessions, as it involves some physical strain and a rise in intra-abdominal pressure. Hence, Laughter Yoga is contraindicated for people with following conditions: – heart problem with chest pain (by-pass surgery), abdominal hernia, asthma, advanced piles, utero-vaginal prolapse, uncontrolled blood pressure, pregnancy, tuberculosis, viral infection, eye complications or any other condition where aerobics is contraindicated.
What is Laughter Yoga?
Laughter Yoga workshop session helps you to harness the stimulating effects of laughter and experiencing the calmness of yoga! You will get infused with self-healing after-effects, to de-stress and refresh!! Conducted as a group session Laughter Yoga combines laughter exercises with yogic deep breathing and body stretches interspaced with mindful visualizations and positive affirmations. This helps to energize and rejuvenate the mind, body and uplift the spirits; it strengthens the immune system and reduces aches and pains. So you see, laughter has both preventive and curative aspects. If used properly and pursued regularly, Laughter Yoga will definitely improve your physical, psychological, social and spiritual health. So laugh a lot. Remember, even simple smile counts, so keep collecting! Join a Laughter Club today or form one with your friends and colleagues….
Cheryl Oberg, the founder of Calgary’s Caring Clown Association has beautifully expressed benefits of laughter: “When you push your cheeks up making a smile, your body starts releasing the chemicals that help make you feel good.”
Purnima is offering Laughter Yoga workshop sessions at the Viva Care Newton clinic on every 2nd Wednesday, between 6.30 & 7.30 pm. Limited seats available, so attendance is by booking only!
Book a visit with her today by clicking here.
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Status update: Mark Zuckerberg, founder of Facebook, marries Dr Priscilla Chan. Their marriage represents the ongoing integration of social media and medicine—for better or worse, for richer or for poorer, in sickness and in health.
Social media is the broad spectrum of online communication tools providing channels for connecting people. Social media enables real-time sharing of text, audio, photos, and videos to both active and passive users. This evolving online community, known as Web 2.0, is a second generation of Internet. Web 2.0 is defined by interactive applications that promote user-generated and user-controlled content. Social media has emerged as part of the construct of Web 2.0.
Consider these social media facts: Facebook has over 900 million active users. Twitter users are uploading 340 million tweets daily. This flood of user information is being catalogued by increasingly sophisticated methods such as the hashtag (“#” symbol), categorizing trending topics and posts. The proliferation of social media is promoting a change in the way people use the Internet from purely recreational to encompass professional and clinical usages. Incorporation of social media and its overarching infrastructure of Web 2.0 into health care is increasing and generating discussions in the medical community.
Read more: http://www.bcmj.org/mds-be/physician-tweet-thyself-guide-integrating-social-media-medical-practice
Are you familiar with acupuncture treatment in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM)? Acupuncture have known and accepted more to Canadians as one of the effective therapeutic modalities people can choose for treating certain symptoms and diseases. People now recognize that acupuncture is good for pain, insomnia, emotional disturbances, headaches and migraines, tinnitus and etc. Generally speaking acupuncture improves the body’s functions and promotes the natural self-healing process by stimulating specific points called acu-points. The most common method used to stimulate acu-points is the insertion of fine, sterile needles into the skin with pressure, heat, or electrical stimulation to enhance the effects. Oh, it’s easy to say. But do you really know why it should work by putting needles into our body?
Here in this article, I would like to bring up the concept of <Meridian Qi> to give you a clue of how acupuncture treatment can make a difference. To do that I have to start with the general energy, called Qi. Qi and blood in TCM are the substances that constantly flow, store, are created and destroyed inside of our body, and if one of the substances is depleted, a person eventually die. Under the TCM prospective, Qi exists in many different forms in our body; Yuan Qi, pectoral Qi, food Qi, air Qi, defensive Qi, meridian Qi, etc., depending on their functions and locations where they are in charge of. Meridian Qi, in particular, flows along the 14 regular meridians (pathways) that run throughout the whole body for 24/7 and keep our body balanced of Yin and Yang and prevent our body from having illness or dysfunction. Acupuncture is one of the ways to regulate, alternate, promote and reduce the meridian Qi, and that’s why it can have its own effectiveness in treating certain symptoms and diseases. You may have heard about a line saying, “Where there is blockage, there is pain”. This exactly refers to meridian Qi. For example, the headaches can be differentiated by their locations of pain – YangMing (frontal) headache, JueYin (Vertex) headache, ShaoYang (temporal) headache and TaiYang (occipital) headache. These names are in accordance with the location of meridians, and headache can occur when there is blockage or imbalance of Qi in the affected meridian. So, by putting needles on the affected meridians, they open the stuck energy and regulate the free flow of Qi through the meridians. Also, one would be wondering why an acupuncturist puts needles at the end of extremities (hands and feet), where it’s nothing to do with the problem itself. Our extremities have 5 important points at the end of each meridian which are used together with local and adjacent points to open, regulate and boost the energy of affected meridians.
Meridian Qi is a very important concept in acupuncture treatment. If you can research on the pathways of meridians on Google, you would have better understanding how an acupuncturist selects the points and how they set a goal of each treatment. I personally try to explain on each point more often to the patients. That’s because I believe if a patient has a better understanding about the treatment, it would give positive effects on the treatment itself because the patient can unconsciously increase the volume of Meridian Qi into the targeted area from their understanding.