How I Beat the Flu FAST and Other Secrets

The flu is going around. There's no doubt about it. I've been hearing this quite often recently:

"How are you?"
"I've got the flu (groan)!"
"Aww, me too! Which kind did you get? (respiratory or stomach flu)"

Last weekend I hosted a Chinese New Year party at my house. Three out of 8 families had to cancel because they were down with the flu or pneumonia. That's how bad it is.

I watched everyone around me come down with the flu, and felt very grateful that I've been very healthy this winter. My whole family (everyone except me) came down with stomach flu right before Christmas. My son was throwing up all over the house. My daughter was down for a day. Even my husband, who is tough as an ox, was affected. Me, usually "The Weakest Link", was fine the whole time.

You want to know my secret? Read on.

I'm not totally invincible, of course. After the party last weekend, I too came down with the flu. I got all the flu symptoms. On Monday night, I was feverish, aching all over and couldn't stop shivering. I was totally miserable for 2 days. On the 3rd day, however, I bounced back, to my own surprise.

No, I didn't go to the doctor for quick-fix antibiotics. I didn't take any prescription or over-the-counter cold medicines, either. I healed my body the natural way.

A year ago, this kind of flu would've cost me up to a whole month of misery!

Last year, I was bombarded with colds, flus, sinus infections, asthma attacks and sometimes bronchitis. It got so bad at one point, I had to use my inhaler 2-3 times every night with little relief. Walking on the treadmill for 20 minutes would trigger asthma too. Forget about martial arts training or other workouts that I love. All my doctors could offer was more inhalers, steroids, and antibiotics.

They say when it rains, it pours. My neck and back were killing me at the same time. It turned out I've got mild disc herniations in 4 vertebrae. I went through months and months of physical therapy, neck traction, chiropractic care, 6 rounds of trigger points injections, and the pain always came back, sometimes within hours. The MD told me, my next option would be pain management. Again, more drugs. Stronger ones.

Growing up with 3 generations of medical doctors in my family and being a former RN myself, I know the long-term consequences of using these medications.

For me, there's another catch. You see, I was born with only one kidney and a family history of liver disease. I cannot afford to have these drugs destroy my kidney or my liver.

That's when I decided to look for other ways to heal myself, and I did. I no longer need pain killers and inhalers. I'm back to martial arts training, yoga, and other activities I love. I hardly get sick any more, and when I do, I know how to take care of myself. I'm so grateful for my health and everyone who has helped me get here.

I've learned, first hand, that you have to be your own advocate, and take charge of your own health. If you are a mom (or dad), you owe it to your children to be their advocate and learn all the available tools to help them. Sometimes it requires that you keep a very open mind to see the right tool.

So, how did I beat the flu so quickly? What did I do to heal myself?

Acupuncture has helped me tremendously (thank you Dr. James Kan and Chunyan Teng!) But, that's only one of the things I did last year. I'd tell you the rest of my secrets now, but it would spoil the fun.

Come to the Dr. Mom Teleclass I'm hosting on Friday 2/15, and you'll find out. There is no cost to attend. Keep an open mind, and you will learn SO much about how to take care of yourself and your loved ones.

To sign up, click here. I hope you can join us!

Cindy Ashton's Butterfly

"What seems to us bitter trials are often blessings in disguise."
-- Oscar Wilde

This video brought tears to my eyes. It's the right dose of inspiration to start your day (or to pick you up when you feel down). Watch it, and you will agree with me.