As of this Monday we have had 22 Spare the Air days here in the Bay area for 2014-15. What are Spare the Air days?

Air quality in the Bay Area can be unhealthy at times throughout the year.

Motor vehicle exhaust, gasoline vapors, industrial emissions and household chemicals contain volatile organic compounds and nitrogen oxides that combine with oxygen in the presence of heat and sunlight to form ground-level ozone. Breathing ozone can cause throat irritation, congestion and chest pain. It can trigger asthma, inflame the lining of the lungs and worsen bronchitis and emphysema.

It is wise to take good care and strengthen the body against environmental influences such as these. Also, if you have asthma or allergies, you may find your symptoms are worse during the Spare the Air days of winter.

Acupuncture and herbal medicine can help bolster the body’s defenses against pollutants, clean the lungs of pollution and other toxins, and help restore optimal breathing energy.

Lymphatic drainage, using light touch, works with your body’s lymphatic system. It helps to clean the blood and is your body’s filtering system. While acupuncture detoxifies the body, I like to use lymphatic drainage as well. This gentle form of bodywork is quite powerful and produces noticeable results.

Similarly, craniosacral bodywork helps unwind deeper patterns in the body, enhancing your health and restoring hormonal balance.

The challenging air quality can also make you more susceptible to getting a cold or flu. I am seeing this a lot in my office right now. Acupuncture can lessen the severity of a cold/flu, strengthening your immune system to get you better faster!