This past weekend in the Bay Area was blustery indeed!
For some, the wind is a bracing, exciting opportunity to sail or fly. And for others, it’s an opportunity for irritation, discomfort or pain.
Have you ever sat under an air conditioner at work? Felt the cold air blowing on your neck, felt a tightness increasing in your trapezius as your shoulders rose to your neck, then neck pain set in, lasting for days? Ever come in from a windy walk then succumb to a bout of allergic sneezing and watery eyes? Or, for whatever reason, whenever it’s windy, you inevitably get a headache?
In Chinese Medicine we call this “wind attack”. Wind is a Chinese Medicine pathogenic factor that is implicated in a variety of scenarios, including headaches, neck pain, allergies, dizziness…even Bell’s Palsy. It might sound strange but for those who are susceptible (and for those tracking patterns in the clinic) wind is *a thing*.
But why doesn’t this happen for everyone? Why can some folks be out on the surf on a blustery day while another needs to sequester at home with layers and hot tea by the fire? Why can my sister-in-law effortlessly spend an afternoon in a tank top on a sailboat in March but to join her I would need a winter coat, scarf and hat? (Yes, I am a wind adverse individual.)
It has to do with your unique elemental constitution. Through a combination of genetics, lifestyle, diet and life consequences (accidents, surgeries, illnesses, recently delivering a child…) you develop your unique list of musculoskeletal and physiological complaints. For some, in the spring, there is an uptick in susceptibility to wind-related concerns.
Are you someone who deals with “aversion to wind”? Do you suspect that wind has a role in your migraines and neck pain? Chinese Medicine has an explanation for why and a solution for dealing with it. I invite you to schedule a free, 15-minute consultation to get your questions answered and/or schedule an appointment opens in a new window::HERE::
