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Nobody likes feeling crummy. Did you know that fever, vomiting, diarrhea, aches and pains are your bodies way of fighting off an illness? The reality is that our body needs these symptoms if we want to live a healthy, long life. They actually help the body detoxify and heal itself.

Are we really doing ourselves any favors by suppressing these symptoms? Evidence suggests that taking aspirin or fever reducers for the flu can prolong your illness by up to three-and-a-half days. The powerful healing potential found in fighting colds and flus is now found to help protect us from even greater issues such as cancer, heart disease, asthma, allergies, hay fever, eczema, depression and Crohn’s disease. By suppressing the body’s natural symptoms of expression now, we may be causing deeper, more serious illness later.

Many children and adults have been on suppressive therapy their whole lives. Suppressive therapy is more than just fever suppressants; it includes cough suppressants, diarrhea suppressants, antibiotics, steroids, antihistamine, pain killers, decongestants, etc.  Sadly, the result is that adults and children are getting sicker and sicker. In our busy lives, it may be hard to take time out to allow for symptom expression and rest. In our haste to protect ourselves from feeling crummy are we really allowing for health?

Symptoms are the natural expression of the healing powers of the body. By allowing this expression, the body heals faster and leaves the body healthier, cleaner, and stronger. Natural healing doesn’t mean simply ignoring the symptoms. It means supporting and boosting the immune system by first making sure that the body is connected. Getting a chiropractic adjustment at the first sign of a cold or flu helps the body heal faster than doing nothing. The adjustment doesn’t treat the cold or flu symptom; it awakens the connections in the body and allows it to function more efficiently. It also means continued hydration, nourishment, and rest.

Instead of immediately trying a suppressant try drinking more water, taking zinc and vitamin C and getting more rest.  See if the next day or so it doesn’t fix itself. All of these things can help us get over a cold. For sinus infections consider trying a Netipot to help clear out membranes by not allowing those microbes a happy place to reproduce.  A healthy person can let a fever go to 102 before taking a fever suppressant.

In our office we also encourage patients to consider using essential oils to help treat symptoms. These oils are the world’s oldest medicine and can help further support the immune system. Lavender and peppermint are great for fevers. Basil is great support for ear infections. Our Respiratory Blend helps with respiratory and congestion issues by supporting cleansing and expelling functions. They can be diffused or diluted without losing their healing properties and they are safe for babies, children and pets. Supporting your body through chiropractic, essential oils, rest, hydration and nutrition allows the body to express itself naturally and encourages true, continued health.

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