Summer brings a surge in "air conditioning sickness." From a Traditional Chinese Medicine perspective, this is called "cold enveloping heat." High temperatures cause increased sweating and dilation of blood vessels on the skin's surface. While the body naturally retains heat, prolonged exposure to the cold air in air-conditioned rooms causes the blood vessels and sweat glands to constrict and close, disrupting the balance between heat production and dissipation. If the body's resistance weakens, symptoms of both chills and fever appear. If this is compounded by an unhealthy diet, excessive consumption of tobacco, alcohol, and high-calorie foods, it further exacerbates the internal heat buildup, leading to a "cold enveloping heat" type of cold caused by external cold and internal heat.
In such cases, traditional Chinese medicine treatment often yields twice the results with half the effort. Start with the Fengchi acupoint, and slowly scrape along the cervical spine to the Dingchuan and Dazhui acupoints, then gently scrape the Yingxiang and Taiyang acupoints a few times. Generally, the patient will immediately feel their nose clearing up, the congestion easing, and their head feeling less drowsy and more alert. After a few days of treatment, the "air conditioning sickness" will be greatly relieved.
Fengchi (GB20) is an important acupoint on the Gallbladder Meridian of Foot-Shaoyang, and also the meeting point of the Gallbladder Meridian and the Yangwei Meridian. Wind-evil easily transforms into heat here, hence it is also called the "Heat Mansion," thus it has the functions of dispelling wind and releasing the exterior, calming liver yang, and relaxing muscles and tendons. It is located on both sides of the neck hollow below the back of the head, about two thumb widths outward from the neck hollow. Belonging to the Gallbladder Meridian of Foot-Shaoyang, it is located in the back of the neck, below the occipital bone, in the depression between the two large tendons, roughly level with the earlobes. You can press Fengchi with the index and middle fingers of both hands, pressing firmly until you feel a slight soreness or distension, or scraping until you feel warmth. This has the effect of clearing the head and eyes, promoting yang and dispelling cold. It plays a vital role in treating "air conditioning sickness."
Since "air conditioning sickness" is often accompanied by coughing, it's also beneficial to scrape the "Dingchuan" acupoint. This acupoint is located on the back, below the spinous process of the seventh cervical vertebra, 0.5 cun lateral to the midline. It relieves cough and asthma, and clears the lungs. It has certain effects on bronchial asthma and whooping cough.
The Dazhui acupoint is located in the depression below the seventh cervical vertebra. It is a primary acupoint on the Governing Vessel and is also known as the "Meeting Point of All Yang Meridians," thus it is widely used clinically. Its main functions are to dispel wind and open the orifices, regulate Qi and relieve pain, and it is effective for febrile diseases such as fever, as well as headaches and neck pain. Moxibustion or scraping of the Dazhui acupoint can treat upper respiratory tract infections such as colds, bronchitis, and pneumonia.
The main functions of the "Yingxiang" acupoint are to dispel wind, clear the nasal passages, regulate qi, and relieve pain. Massaging the Yingxiang acupoint can usually relieve nasal congestion.
In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) meridian theory, the temple is known as an "extraordinary acupoint outside the meridians" and was one of the earliest "fatal acupoints" listed as vital points in various martial arts manuals. Located about one-third of the way from the eyebrow to the ear, the temple is the most indented area when touched. It can relieve fatigue, invigorate the spirit, and alleviate pain and mental clarity. It is particularly effective in relieving headaches and dizziness caused by colds.
