Affecting approximately 125 million people – or about 2-3% of the global population –  psoriasis is one of the most common autoimmune diseases in the world. 

This condition also affects several members of my family, so I have very intimate knowledge of how painful, uncomfortable and irritating it can be. Its especially hard to watch your children suffer and, in turn, extremely satisfying to be able to do something about it.

Have you ever felt that way? Do you or someone you love suffer from psoriasis and are you looking for something you can do to help them? If so, you're in the right place! The answer to the above question is YES and if you read on I hope you will be pleased to learn more.

Psoriasis

Psoriasis is characterized by the chronic formation of skin lesions, red patches, papules and plaque. These formations may appear in localized areas of the body or throughout the entire body, depending on an individual's condition.

Psoriasis is known to trigger intense bouts of itching. The sensation can be so intense that it causes the individual to scratch infection-prone sores into his or her skin. Regardless of how bad it itches, you should never scratch your psoriasis, as it will only make the condition worse.

As with most autoimmune diseases and disorders, psoriasis is caused by an overactive immune system. The immune system is responsible for fending off potentially harmful viral and bacterial infections. It does this by producing key inflammatory hormones. Normally, it produces the right amount of these hormones, but there are times when it produces too much; resulting in conditions such as psoriasis.

Acupuncture Offers Good News for Those With Psoriasis

The good news is that acupuncture may offer relief of psoriasis and its related symptoms. Acupuncture can have very positive effects on the immune system. When we are sick or dealing with chronic illness, our bodies are not able to function properly. This can be due to the body’s natural energy being restricted or blocked. Acupuncture works by treating the whole body and releasing any abnormalities through acupuncture points. By doing so, the body is able to function as it should and the immune system is strengthened because of this.

With psoriasis, the Spleen 10 xue hai acupuncture point located just above the knee is a popular choice because it targets the immune system.

One study found acupuncture to be effective at treating psoriasis, particularly when western medicine has been exhausted. “Our experience indicates that acupuncture is induced an effective therapeutic modality for psoriasis, particularly when the western medical management is unsuccessful. We speculated about the possible involvement of the cutaneous reticuloendothelial system in the clearance of the skin lesions,” wrote the study's researchers.

Give me a call today to learn how you can get back on track to better health!

Sources:
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/1357925

Below is a recipe to bring your body to balance in autumn. These foods will strengthen your immune system as your body becomes more susceptible to illness with the changing weather. 

Butternut Squash Soup

• • 1 large butternut squash
• • 1 medium onion
• • 2 cloves of garlic 
• • 1 stalk of celery
• • boiled chicken meat
• • salt, pepper, cinnamon, nutmeg 

If you have a blender, blend the squash until smooth for a puree-style soup. If not, you can chop up the squash instead. 

Begin by chopping up all ingredients and boiling the squash in a large pot. After the squash is mostly cooked, add the vegetables and chicken to the pot. Simmer the soup for a few minutes. When the soup is done, add spices as desired. 

Butternut squash soup is not too difficult to make and contains nutrients like vitamin A to help protect your body from the upcoming flu and cold season. 

Cinnamon and Nutmeg are also important herbs in the Chinese pharmacopeia for combating dampness, cold and stagnation. Adding these herbs helps the body transition to the colder damper weather in a dynamic healthy way.  Try it out and see what you think. Send pictures!!

Sources: 

http://www.chinahighlights.com/travelguide/chinese-food/medicinal-cuisine.htm