Back to School Health with Acupuncture & Naturopath Medicine

As schools across the country welcome students into a new pandemic platform it is important for parents to take essential steps on their own to ensure safety for their children and those surrounding them. School officials are tirelessly preparing and implementing a variety of  protocols in the hopes that school can continue, either online or in a blended format. However, sending children back to school without an arsenal of general wellness, immunity boosting, stress prevention, and hormone regulation tools could mean the difference between optimal health or pending illness.

Do not let COVID-19 take the educational experience away. Begin effective measures for keeping children and teens ahead of the curve by using acupuncture and naturopathic medicine to mount an active viral defense. Although this disease is currently incurable, by following proper mask protocols, social distancing, good hygiene and maintaining a strong immune system it is much better than doing nothing at all.

Tamp Down Stress

We are in a constant state of flux but currently it seems to have been turned up to a world filled with ongoing upheaval. From political squabbling and civil rights to a dangerous disease and environmental strife it is hard enough for adults to navigate, let alone upcoming young generations.

Science tells us that stress can weaken the immune system.

Research out of the University of Kentucky, published in the peer reviewed journal Psychological Bulletin, included in the conclusion a cited a study from 1998 (Sapolsky) which stated,

“Stress-related disease emerges, predominantly, out of the fact that we so often activate a physiological system that has evolved for responding to acute physical emergencies, but we turn it on for months on end, worrying about mortgages, relationships, and promotions.”

The conclusion continues,

“The results of this meta-analysis [examination of data from a number of independent studies of the same subject] support this assertion in one sense: Stressors with the temporal parameters of the fight-or-flight situations faced by humans’ evolutionary ancestors elicited potentially beneficial changes in the immune system. The more a stressor deviated from those parameters by becoming more chronic, however, the more components of the immune system were affected in a potentially detrimental way.”

Boost the immune system of children and teens by shutting off the news, eschewing negative comments, and weaving as much of a positive atmosphere as possible. Their young minds will welcome a stress-less environment and give their immune system a chance to psychologically thrive. Once the home environment increases to an optimistic vibration, acupuncture and naturopathic medicine can be implemented.

Build a Healing Forcefield

As kids enter this unknown realm of school and COVID-19, building up a healing forcefield takes general wellness to the next level. Administering a combination of acupuncture treatment and botanical supplementation offers a fast track to stoking young, resilient, immune systems into optimal gear.

Acupuncture sessions can optimize a child’s already highly capable life energy force known as qi (“chee”). One acupuncture study posted by the National Library of Medicine on adult women struggling with the stress of anxiety affecting immune function stated,

“The results showed that the most favorable effects of acupuncture on the immune functions appear 72 hours after the single session and persist one month after the end of the complete treatment. Impaired immune functions in anxious women were significantly improved by acupuncture, and augmented [increased] immune parameters were significantly diminished.”

As children and teens begin to enter schools as well as deal with the stress of online learning, it is imperative to keep their immune system firing on all cylinders. Weekly acupuncture sessions can work hand-in-hand with naturopathic medicine, particularly botanical and nutraceutical remedies to build the healing forcefield needed for protection support against pathological risks.

Working with a naturopathic doctor, some of the most potent, protective supplements that may be recommended include:

• Zinc – This super mineral supports immune function, wound healing and more
• Vitamin D3 – Immune booster, mood enhancer, bone growth support
• Vitamin A – Supports anti-viral activity
• Vitamin C – Water soluble antioxidant to reduce inflammation and free-radicals
• Turmeric – Anti-inflammatory which may assist respiratory compromise
• Astragalus – Strengthens and regulates the immune system.
• Andrographis – Anti-inflammatory, antiviral, and antioxidant properties
• Oregano oil – Natural antibiotic and antioxidant
• Black elderberry – Powerful anti-viral compounds
• Olive leaf extract – Excellent anti-bacterial

In addition to these and potentially other remedies as tailored to each individual system, another powerful immune booster would be a potent probiotic. A probiotic is a supplement that supports good bacteria growth in the gut which is ground zero for immune system functioning. A study published in Synthetic and Systems Biotechnology concluded that,

“The findings of our study indicate that the combination of probiotics could reduce the incidence of the upper respiratory infection,…Numerous studies have illustrated the effects of the intestinal microflora on the functioning immune response, therefore, it seems reasonable that changing the microflora with probiotics could potentially modulate the immune response and, in fact, improve the immune status of individuals.”

Acupuncture, naturopathic medicine and a good probiotic taken each day could enhance immune system functioning as well as gastrointestinal and hormonal health for children and teens. At Integrative Med Solutions, we will design an acupuncture and naturopathic immune enhancement treatment program that works for kids, teens, and young adults going back to school, either in person or through digital, telemedicine communication. In many cases, insurance covers portions of the treatment. Allow us to support you to achieve optimal health. To make an appointment or find out more about how acupuncture and naturopathic medicine can benefit you, please call our office at 914-337-2980 or Click Here to schedule an online appointment.

*Please Click Here to see a current list of insurance companies that commonly carry acupuncture benefits for its members. For more info, please call 914-337-2980 or securely email us at info@intmedsolutions.com.

Best in health from Integrative Med Solutions.