Autumn arrives in Grenoble with its first chills, the return of the school and work rhythm, and often the first runny noses. In traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), this season is not a detail: it is the time when the body's defensive energy (Wei Qi) is most in demand and most fragile. Ghislaine Morin, a traditional Chinese medicine practitioner and sophrologist in Grenoble, explains how this age-old approach proposes to get through autumn without becoming exhausted: acupuncture, Chinese dietetics, rhythm of life and sophrology.
Why autumn is a key season in Chinese medicine
In the theory of the five elements, each season corresponds to an organ and a function. Autumn is associated with the Lung and the Large Intestine, with metal, with dryness and with the movement of withdrawal: nature draws its energy inwards, and the body is invited to do the same. The Lung, in TCM, is not only for breathing: it governs Qi and the skin, and it distributes to the body's surface the Wei Qi, that defensive energy which acts as the first barrier against external aggressions (cold, wind, dampness).
When the Lung is strong and the Wei Qi well nourished, the body adapts to changes in temperature. When it weakens — accumulated fatigue, stress, lack of sleep, unbalanced diet — the door opens to repeated chills and to settling fatigue. The Huang Di Nei Jing, the founding text of TCM, sums up this idea: the skilful physician acts before the illness, not only when it is there.
The signs of a weakened Wei Qi
The tools of Chinese medicine for getting through autumn
Acupuncture to support defensive energy
Acupuncture acts on the circulation of Qi and blood through the meridians. To support immunity, some traditionally used points are those of the Lung and of the Large Intestine meridian, as well as so-called “anchoring” points that tonify overall energy. In practice, acupuncture does not “replace” the natural defences: it seeks to make them more available. The WHO recognises acupuncture as an effective therapy for many conditions, particularly pain.
Chinese dietetics: cook, warm, hydrate
In TCM, food is the first medicine. In autumn, favour cooked and slightly warm foods rather than raw and cold: vegetable soups, wholegrains (rice, millet, quinoa), cooked pears and apples, almonds, sesame seeds, ginger, honey (unless contraindicated), horseradish and turnip for the Lung. Limit cold dairy products, iced drinks and overly fatty meals, which overload the Spleen and Stomach and indirectly weaken the production of Qi.
The rhythm of life: go to bed earlier, breathe
TCM recommends a seasonal rhythm: sleep earlier during autumn, get out into the light, walk, breathe through the nose, avoid exhausting yourself with too much intense sport or work. Sophrology completes this approach: abdominal breathing, cardiac coherence and dynamic relaxation exercises help to reduce stress, a factor that TCM regards as directly weakening the body's defences.
The combined approach of sophrology and Chinese medicine
Ghislaine Morin receives patients in Grenoble and combines traditional Chinese medicine and sophrology in a single course of care. Where TCM acts on energetic balance, sleep and diet, sophrology works on the breath, relaxation and stress management. This complementarity is particularly useful in autumn, when the fatigue and mental load of the new term weigh on immunity.
Frequently asked questions
Can Chinese medicine really strengthen immunity?
TCM does not work with the notion of “immunity” in the Western sense, but with that of defensive energy (Wei Qi). Its aim is to support the functions that form a barrier against external aggressions: breathing, digestion, sleep, stress management. It forms a complement to, never a replacement for, medical follow-up.
How many acupuncture sessions for prevention in autumn?
That depends on each person's terrain. As part of seasonal prevention, a few spaced-out sessions (often 2 to 4) are offered in Grenoble, with an assessment at the first consultation to define a suitable rhythm.
Is acupuncture recognised?
The WHO recognises acupuncture as an effective therapy for many conditions, particularly pain. In France, it is practised by acupuncturist doctors and by trained traditional Chinese medicine practitioners, such as Ghislaine Morin in Grenoble.
Should I stop a medical treatment?
No, never. Traditional Chinese medicine is a complementary practice. No prescribed treatment should be interrupted without your GP's advice.
Learn more
**Ghislaine Morin**, traditional Chinese medicine practitioner and sophrologist, welcomes you at 29 Quai Claude Bernard, 38000 Grenoble. Book on 06 24 90 04 98 or online at https://calendly.com/centre-equilibre-sophrologie
More about sophrology and Chinese medicine in Grenoble : www.sophrologue-grenoble.fr/medecine-chinoise-a-grenoble-38000-38100
- Author:Ghislaine Morin
- URL:https://accu-grenoble.com/en/article/immunity-and-autumn-in-grenoble-how-chinese-medicine-strengthens-your-natural
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