Caught a little chill or a draught? Aircon too chilly in the office? Got caught out in the rain? Or maybe it’s just those very first signs of feeling run down, sniffly and a bit “off”? This acupressure trick can kick out an early stage chill (within the first 6-8 hours or so of noticing the symptoms). Pair it with this simple herbal tea to boost healing and recovery.
The Da Zhui Pinch: a simple Acupressure hack for Cold symptoms
Start to pinch this point, Da Zhui, on the upper spine for a minute or two. Pinch as firmly as you can handle, until you feel a light flush. You may also feel a gentle warmth spreading outwards from that area. Once you are finished, it is important to keep the area warm and protected from further Wind and Cold. Things to watch for are draughts, aircon and open car windows that blow directly on the body. This is because after doing this technique, the pores and surface of the body will be open. Opening up the pores and creating that slight “flush” is how we kick the Cold out, before it settles in any deeper.
How to find Da Zhui
Da Zhui is translated as “Great Vertebra”, This name is a handy guide to finding its location! Da Zhui is located in the depression below the biggest, most prominent vertebra, where your neck joins your back.
To find the point, bend your head forward and feel for the bump at the base of the neck. Da Zhui is just below this. Don’t worry if you’re not 100% sure, just pinch the area around where you think it is – it has a large active area!
How does this acupressure point kick out Cold symptoms?
This point is a meeting point of all the Yang meridians. The Yang meridians govern the exterior of our body, and maintain good “boundaries” and harmony with the outside world. But sometimes, certain weather – especially Cold and Wind – can breach these boundaries, and “colds” can ensue. This is why we always advise dressing appropriately for the weather.
In Chinese Medicine, we understand that we are forever woven into the web of life around us. Living in harmony with the seasons, and the weather they entail, maintains vibrant health. But when we are not alignment – like not dressing adequately for cold or windy weather – then our own inner harmony is disrupted. Our bodies will do their best to protect us, Have you ever done any of the following when caught in Cold or Wind?
- hunching your shoulders to protect the meridians?
- shivering, to create movement and cast off Cold?
- getting goosebumps (this is the body’s wise attempt to trap heat in the fine body hairs)?
- sneezing (this is the body expelling the Cold out of the meridians)?
All of these actions are your body’s innate intelligence at work. They are attempts to kick out the Cold and Wind, and restore harmony between you and your environment. But if the external Cold or Wind is too much, then it enters via our pores, and those classic Cold symptoms ensue. We might experience:
- tight, painful muscles / headache – because Cold freezes movement
- sniffles and sneezing – an attempt to expel the Cold back out
- fatigue – saving our energy for healing
- slight fever – the body’s attempt to warm up the Cold
Chinese Medicine wisdom to prevent – or kick – a Cold
Why we love scarves in Chinese Medicine
While a gentle breeze on a hot day can be soothing, excess Wind can upset our system. We are at all times surrounded by a thin layer of warm air at our skin surface. This helps to maintain our boundaries and “immunity”. The maintenance of this protective boundary is why we get goosebumps when we are cold. Goosebumps work to the raise the fine body hairs, and trap more body heat close to the skin. If this warming layer is repeatedly blown away, our muscles can tighten up in an effort to maintain the optimal levels of body heat. What we do when we are cold? We hunch our shoulders up to our ears to keep ourselves warm.
As the thinnest part of our body, the neck and nape are easily susceptible to Wind. And not only does the neck contain all 6 Yang meridians, it also houses vital tissues like the spine and many nerves, arteries and muscles, If these areas get too wind-blown, we often see symptoms like headache & migraine, neck / shoulder / back pain and colds / flu as a result. This is why we consider it an important part of selfcare and health maintenance to wear a scarf to protect this vital area when it’s windy. Plus you get to accessorise – winning!
Scarves can keep us protected from aircon too!
This wisdom also applies to air-conditioning and strong draughts (like open car windows when driving at high speeds). I’ve had patients with chronic headaches, neck and even back pain that resolved as soon as they moved their desk to a part of the office that wasn’t under an aircon vent. This is because the Bladder meridian is the longest in the body. It runs all the way from the inner eye, up over the scalp, and then down the back all the way to the tip of the little toe. Not only is it the longest meridian, but it is also the one first affected by external Cold and Wind. Socks, cap and scarf keep it protected and cosy, ensuring no gaps for cold wind to get in!
Nourishing Yang to speed recovery: a simple ritual
Another way to kick an early stage Cold is a combination of warming herbal tea (recipe here) + a hot shower + bundle up well + rest. What all of these hacks have in common is that they all boost and cultivate Yang. Yang has a hot nature, which is why it can balance out the effects of external Cold. This is why we might a slight fever while we are kicking a Cold – and why the Da Zhui pinch can give us a light flush of warmth.
Our modern lives prize lifestyles that drain Yang – long hours, heavy cardio, intense entertainment and a go-go-go mentality – which can leave us less resourced to prevent or recover from Colds. Luckily, there is so much we can do to boost and cultivate Yang, both on a daily basis (this is what my Radiant Energy Reset is all about) and while we are kicking a Cold. A hot shower gives us an external boost of Yang, bundling up seals it in, and resting allows us to save our energy for healing. It can be normal – and it’s actually very desirable – to have a very light sweat once we’ve done this. This light sweat is the body pushing out the Cold and Wind via the pores.
Want more simple, powerful health wisdom like this?
There are so many additional habits, tips & rituals we can incorporate daily to support our Yang and our Qi, Being charged up with abundant life force energy – Qi – and Yang helps our meridians to keep out Cold and Wind. And if we do get Cold symptoms, the more Qi and Yang we have, the quicker we recover.
In Chinese Medicine, our focus is on preventative health and staying well, summed up in the advice,”“don’t wait until you’re thirsty to dig a well” . This is why I created the Radiant Energy Reset: a self-paced journey of time-tested wisdom that guides you in nourishing YOU deeply. A real solution for those ready to ditch the fads & feel clear, energised and in control again. Backed by ancient wisdom, not wellness trends.
