As April moves us in to one of the windier months in Colorado, I'll explain the significance of wind in Chinese Medicine. Questioning whether someone has an aversion to wind is used diagnostically in Chinese Medicine. And yes, many of us find it irritating and invasive!
Wind and Illness
Wind as a cause of illness
The body in eastern medicine is seen as a microcosm of the natural world. Elements (i.e., heat, cold, dryness) that can cause disharmony in the environment can also cause disharmony in our bodies.
Wind as a characteristic of illness
In nature, wind can come on quickly, change direction and intensity. This is identical to how it is seen in the body. Symptoms related to wind have a rapid onset, change location and sensation.
Acute Conditions Related to Wind
Sickness like colds, flu, allergies, and headaches are connected to wind that comes from outside our body. For the most part this external wind effects the Lung organ system and causes respiratory illnesses.
It is thought that we are most vulnerable to wind at the nape of the neck, so bundle up and throw a scarf on.
Joint pain: Like wind, the pain may appear and disappear suddenly and moves around in the body. Joint pain involving wind will feel achy, sore, and possibly numb.
Chronic Condition Related to Wind
Illnesses of a more ongoing nature can come from what is called "internal wind" and are typically related to the energetic Liver organ system. Often the underlying cause of wind is a deficiency of body fluids (blood, yin). Wind will fill the empty space when there is inadequate nurturing substances in the body.
Symptoms considered wind
Numbness and tingling
Uncontrolled movement like convulsions, tremors, tics, epilepsy
Loss of movement: stroke, paralysis
Affects the skin with itchiness, rashes, eczema
In Chinese Medicine each organ system is connected to a season and environmental element. It should not be surprising that wind is associated with the Liver which also corresponds to the spring season.
Seasonal acupuncture is a great way to prepare your body for the changing elements.
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