Why Am I So Cold?!?

Everyone experiences the chill of cold weather at times, especially during the recent cold snap we've been enduring here in Alberta. However, some individuals feel perpetually cold to a degree that disrupts their daily lives.

From the perspective of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), there are two distinct types of cold in the body: full cold and empty cold. Full cold refers to an excess of cold energy within the body, leading to feelings of chilliness and potentially other health issues. Conversely, empty cold signifies a deficiency of warm, fiery energy. When the body lacks sufficient warmth, you may feel cold—not necessarily because the external cold is overwhelming, but due to an inadequate internal heat to counterbalance it.

Understanding Full Cold

As previously mentioned, full cold is characterized by an overabundance of cold energy in the body. This condition often arises acutely, perhaps from exposure to cold weather, cold water, or chilly winds. Symptoms can vary significantly depending on where the cold manifests in the body.

For example, when you catch a cold, you may feel an intense chill. In TCM, this is viewed as cold energy trapped beneath the skin or within specific channels, such as the back of the neck. Other symptoms may include a stiff neck, a runny nose, or an occipital headache.

Full cold can also affect the digestive system, often occurring after consuming cold foods, drinking cold beverages in a chilly environment, or being exposed to extreme cold. Symptoms related to full cold in the digestive tract can include a persistent feeling of cold, painful cramping, diarrhea or loose stools, and abdominal pain.

Another frequent site for full cold is the uterus, which can be influenced by exposure to cold temperatures, such as swimming in cold water or sitting on cold surfaces. Certain gynecological procedures may also introduce cold into the uterus, resulting in a sensation of chill, particularly during menstruation, along with severe cramping, blood clots, and potential fertility issues.

To prevent these full-cold conditions, it’s advisable to limit exposure to cold environments and cold foods. Additionally, incorporating heat into your diet through teas, soups, and warming herbs can be beneficial. For those seeking relief through holistic methods, Sherwood Park acupuncture can offer effective treatment options.

Exploring Empty Cold

In TCM, health is viewed as a balance between yin and yang. Yin represents the cool, watery, and passive aspects of our physiology, while yang embodies the hot, fiery, and active components. When yang energy is diminished, there is insufficient warmth to balance the cool, watery yin, resulting in a persistent feeling of cold that is difficult to alleviate, even with ample blankets and hot drinks. Individuals experiencing this sensation often feel cold regardless of the environment. Other associated symptoms may include loose stools, low energy, constant fatigue, and fluid retention. Addressing yang deficiency cold typically requires herbal medicine, acupuncture, and moxibustion for proper treatment.

While these are the primary reasons for feeling cold, other energetic imbalances can contribute as well, such as Qi stagnation and blood deficiency. Qi stagnation can impede circulation, preventing heat from reaching the extremities, often resulting in very cold hands and feet. Regular exercise, stress reduction, and a lighter diet can help alleviate this condition. Blood deficiency, while less severe than yang deficiency cold, can still lead to a constant feeling of cold. Improving this condition involves ensuring adequate sleep, managing stress, and consuming a well-balanced diet rich in blood-nourishing foods.

#SherwoodParkAcupuncture #cold #PolarVortex #Freezing #Winter