Ease Into Winter With Our Comprehensive Treatments to Strengthen Your Immune System and Prevent Chro

Winter means shorter days, colder temperatures, and more opportunities to catch whatever bug is going around. Your body works harder during these months just to stay warm, leaving less energy to fight off infections.

At JH Wellness in West Springfield and Sterling, Virginia, Jianqin (Janice) He, LAc, Dipl. OM, CMD, uses Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) to help your body build resilience against winter challenges. 

Understanding how cold weather weakens your defenses and which comprehensive treatments like acupuncture, massage therapy, and nutrition support can strengthen your immune system, reduce chronic inflammation, and prevent seasonal illnesses helps you stay healthier all winter long.

How winter weakens your immune system

Cold weather creates several conditions that leave you more vulnerable to illness:

• Indoor heating dries out mucous membranes that trap viruses and bacteria
• Less sunlight exposure lowers vitamin D levels
• More time indoors in close quarters spreads respiratory viruses
• Extra energy used to stay warm leaves fewer resources for immune function
• Holiday stress and disrupted sleep schedules
• Dietary changes from seasonal foods and gatherings

All of these factors work against you during the very season when you need strong defenses.

Comprehensive treatments that support winter wellness

JH Wellness offers several complementary treatments that work together to strengthen your body’s defenses during winter months:

Acupuncture for immune support and inflammation control

Acupuncture works with your body's meridian system, the energy pathways that carry Qi (vital life force) throughout your body. These meridians connect to different organs and body systems that affect immune function and inflammation. 

When Qi flows freely through these pathways, your immune system operates at peak efficiency, inflammation stays in check, and your body can respond quickly to potential threats.

Specific acupuncture points stimulate immune cell production and activity. Regular treatments before and during winter help your body mount faster, more effective responses to viral and bacterial exposures. This may mean fewer colds and flu instances, or shorter, milder symptoms if you do get sick.

Acupuncture also triggers the release of natural anti-inflammatory compounds in your body. This helps reduce existing inflammation while preventing the low-grade chronic inflammation that can weaken immunity over time.

Massage therapy for circulation and muscle tension

Cold weather often aggravates muscle tension, joint pain, and old injuries. Massage therapy improves circulation to affected areas and helps release the tightness that cold temperatures create. Better circulation means more oxygen and nutrients reach your tissues, supporting healing and immune function.

Nutrition and weight management for immune resilience

What you eat directly affects your immune system’s ability to function. Proper nutrition provides the vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants your body needs to fight off infections. 

Weight management also plays a role, as excess inflammation from carrying extra weight can tax your immune resources during a time when you need them most.

Mind-body practices for stress reduction

Stress hormones suppress immune function, making stress management essential during winter months. Mind-body practices like meditation, yoga, and tai chi help lower cortisol levels and activate your body’s relaxation response. These practices also improve sleep quality, which gives your immune system time to repair and strengthen overnight.

Additional winter wellness strategies

Comprehensive treatments work best when combined with supportive daily habits:

• Adequate sleep and regular movement
• Anti-inflammatory foods rich in vitamins and minerals
• Consistent hydration, even when you don’t feel thirsty
• Warm clothing that protects your neck and lower back

Managing stress becomes even more important during winter since cortisol and other stress hormones can shut down your immune response when you’re already fighting off seasonal bugs.

Get comprehensive winter wellness care in West Springfield

You don’t have to wait until you’re sick or in pain to seek treatment. Preventive care builds the foundation for a healthier, more comfortable winter season.

Contact JH Wellness in West Springfield or Sterling, Virginia, to schedule your consultation. Call the office or use the online booking tool to learn how comprehensive treatments can help you stay well all winter long.